How many of Netflix’s comedy specials are really funny?
To find out, we sat down to watch as much of the voluminous wave of standup humour as we could
Asked by the Daily Dot recently about his new special, Norm Macdonald was to the point: “It’s dumb. I don’t like it that much to tell you the truth (and) if I had another chance to do it, it would be entirely different. . . . It will still be one of the top 100 comedy specials that Netflix puts out this year.”
For fans of standup comedy — particularly those living some distance from a comedy club — Netflix’s 2017 offerings have been an embarrassment of riches already. Popular favourites from Jim Gaffigan to Amy Schumer to Dave Chappelle have already released new hours on Netflix (two, in Chappelle’s case) and the list will only grow more stellar as the year goes on. Still to come, at a rate of about one per week, are, among others, Jerry Seinfeld, Brian Regan, Sarah Silverman and Chris Rock; the latter was reportedly paid a jaw-dropping $40 million (U.S.) for two new specials.
Any comedian would pounce on a payday like that, but not just any deserves the shot. Does the Netflix tidal wave bring in a lot of flotsam? Are comedians such as-- Macdonald putting out work that’s less than their best just to satisfy Netflix’s appetite?
Keen to find out, I watched 17 Netflix standup specials from 2017: all of this year’s releases through May 9, save that of Vir Das, an Indian comedian with whom I’m unfamiliar. (Apologies to Mr. Das, but it already feels like my eyes are starting to bleed out of my head.)
I found a few famous performers who did disappoint, at least mildly, but also a smashing performance by a Canadian I’d never heard of. And maybe the best work comes from just the man comedy fans might have expected.
Read the mini reviews on page E4.