‘You’ll be whooping from your sofa!’ 25 hilarious standup sets to make everything better
French comic Fary Lopes caused a stir at the Molière theatre awards in 2019 by addressing the crowd with “Salut les blancs!” (Hey, white people!). I love that his comedy is politically charged and cheeky; with Hexagone, he calls out the ridiculousness of everyday racism, the struggle of not quite fitting in back “home” (his parents are from Cape Verde), and the fact that his half-black, half-Chinese brother doesn’t resemble anyone, except, perhaps “a group of people who have suffered”. Hannah J Davies, Guardian deputy TV editor
Dylan Moran: Off the Hook (BBC iPlayer)
I have followed him since the 90s when he was performing in my local pub in Sheffield. His act is such a brilliant combination of wit, poetic prose, surrealism and insight, and his onstage persona is so appealingly whimsical, lost, angry and lovable. He does very few media appearances or panel shows, so if you want see him, you’ve got to see his shows; he is truly the Led Zeppelin of standup. This performance had me in tears, twice. Sublime. Phil Tucker, university lecturer, Stockholm and Swansea
Brett Butler: The Child Ain’t Right Dressed in a shiny 80s power suit, Brett Butler (best known for the sitcom Grace Under Fire) shifts seamlessly between observations on growing up in the American south (“I’m so southern I’m related to myself”), her abusive exhusband (“I knew it wouldn’t work; I used to introduce him as my first husband when we were still together”) and politics. This set is a masterclass on storytelling through the standup form, with huge replay value. Priya Elan, Guardian deputy fashion editor Norm MacDonald: Hitler’s Dog,
Gossip and Trickery (Netflix)
A lot of American standups are extremely clever but not that many of them are, in the Eric Morecambe mould, funny-boned. Norm is: there’s something about him that makes you want to laugh before he speaks. When he does, though, you laugh more, as his delivery – a unique combination of folksy and deadpan – is hilarious. In this 2017 special, there’s a bit (spoiler alert) where he assumes the character of Lee Majors, of Six Million Dollar Man fame, accepting an offer to do a hearing aid advert, the punchline to which is Majors asking his agent to include in the contract the words: “I’m sad.” It made me very un-sad. David Baddiel, comedian. David Baddiel’s new book, Jews Don’t Count, is out now
Huge Davies: live on Comedy Against Living Miserably
I love Huge Davies. I love his palpable hostility, I love his stupid ponytail, I love that his badly customised keyboard 1) is always on the brink of complete dysfunction and 2) will definitely be the cause of late-in-life back pain. And I love being on a bill with Huge, not only because he has a car, but because I get to watch audiences experience the thrill of his nihilism for the first time. Lip-syncing Walking Down the Street With My Dad from the wings is one of life’s purest joys. I hope he never finds happiness. Sophie Duker, comedian. Sophie Duker’s show Hot Girl Summer (WIP) is at the Pleasance, London, 14 July
Ali Wong: Baby Cobra (Netflix) Baby Cobra gives the lie to the claim that comedians are no longer edgy or that standup as social commentary is being watered down by wet-flannel millennials. Wong knows her material on race and sex will make people uncomfortable; she revels in it. And it works because she’s never punching down. An Asian-American woman, she is highly literate in social dynamics and the dark humour they give rise to. Rude, whip-smart standup for those who don’t want their comedy cosy. Freddy McConnell, writer
Chris Rock: live at NYC’s the Comic Strip
The two standups that got me into the art were Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock, so I was really happy to come across this 1989 set from a young, prefame Rock. The best thing about it is that it’s not one of those instances where you go back to an old show and you can see the potential in them. Rock might not be as loud or as animated as he was later, but he’s sharp as nails and funny right out the gate. Anonymous, Kent
James Acaster: Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999 (Vimeo, buy for £10)
How to pin down, from a professional lifetime of live comedy sets, a favourite? On any given day I might give you a Hans Teeuwen, a Bridget Christie or a Flight of the Conchords. But right now, just two months since it was finally made available on-demand, it’s hard to see past James Acaster’s most recent masterpiece. With its emotionally complex, audacious – and richly funny – routines about a dispute with his agent, being dumped for Mr Bean and a downward mental health spiral on The Great British Bake Off, Cold Lasagne truly is a standup set for the ages. Brian Logan, Guardian comedy critic
Sarah Millican: Control Enthusiast (Amazon, £3.49 to rent)
Anything by Sarah Millican is great, but her latest material is the best, and the most uncomfortable (in a good way), especially for the men in her audiences. She is rude, blunt and very funny indeed, with lines such as: “I have developed something of a ‘cake shelf’. Somebody said recently: ‘Are you pregnant?’ I said: ‘Not unless I’ve been shagged by Mr Kipling.’” Andrew Walker, webmaster and admin for the English Chess Federation, St Leonards, East Sussex
Rose Matafeo: Horndog (BBC iPlayer)
Don’t be fooled by the name, says Rose Matafeo: this is not a “sexy, sex show”, but “an hour of sensitive comedy from a 27-year-old Pisces”. What it lacks in raunch, the New Zealander’s Edinburgh comedy awardwinning routine more than makes up for in gawkiness and nostalgia, mining lols everywhere from 00s internet forums (“the wild west”), to period-tracking apps (“like writing a wartime journal”), and the absurdity of motivational slogan pencil cases. Hold out for the spectacular epilogue that will have you whooping from your sofa. Leah Harper, Guardian features commissioning editor
Alfie Brown: Imagination
There’s no one more skilled at making light of humanity’s dark side than Alfie Brown. Alongside frequent collaborator/director Adam Brace, he’s just released his latest special, Imagination. It’s got some of the most elegantly phrased dick jokes going and a bit about Beauty and the Beast that made me pee my pants a little. If you like dark comedy I highly recommend you check it out. Janine Harouni, actor and comedian
Deon Cole: Cole Hearted (Netflix)
I’ve watched this special from the Black-ish actor twice, which is not something I usually do. The bit I quote to everyone is where he asks the over-40s in the audience to make some noise. Then he goes: “You only have 30 summers left.” It’s so accurate – and a gut-punch – to put life in those terms. There’s even a bit that could be viewed as being offensive to certain people, or to myself, because it’s specifically about fat women, but I love it. He talks about how great it is to get head from fat women – it’s true, we are really good at it. I love that it’s universally funny even though so much of it is steeped in a black American experience. Desiree Burch, comedian
Johnny White Really-Really: Used to Be a Wedding DJ
I’ve seen the Sheffield-born comedian do standup many times, and every experience is the same: like having a warm, silly bath. Johnny likes to tell richly detailed stories to calm yogic music. This one is about Tom and Jerry, and Jerry’s best-man speech at Tom’s wedding. It’s tighter than his usual fare, which often meanders delightfully, but still uses his gorgeous visual style to create something sharp, impressionistic and unpredictable, all held together by some of the darkest subplots this side of Yorkshire. Morwenna Ferrier, Guardian deputy fashion editor
Bo Burnham: Make Happy (Netflix)
Through the use of songs, poems and camera trickery (try and spot a quick outfit change), Bo Burnham revolutionises the game. Although this special is now five years old, I would definitely recommend it for people who are looking for a fresh form of observational comedy; it makes for hilarious viewing. Gwion Ifan, student, Cardiff
Dave Chappelle: 8:46
On 20 April 2021, Derek Chauvin was found guilty on three counts relating to the killing of George Floyd. In silence, I watched the verdict being read out. I then rewatched Dave Chappelle’s masterful 8:46, twice. Chappelle at one stage says: “This isn’t funny at all.” I laughed a couple times. It is among the best standup comedy ever made. Ahir Shah, comedian. Tickets for the recording of Ahir Shah’s HBO Max special Dots, at Vauderville theatre, London, on 6 June are on sale now.
Jessica Fostekew: Hench (touring the UK, 24 July-10 August)
Jess has just got this rich, beautiful, funny voice – she could read out a recipe and make it sound hilarious. But what I loved in particular about the show is its important message about being positive about your body image. When someone tells her she looks “hench”, she replies: “Thank you very much for the compliment, I’m trying really hard not to cry.” It’s honest: while we should all feel great about our bodies, she allows us to see her very human response. I thought it was a perfect hour of standup – I like feminist standup, I like standup that has a message, but what’s great about this is it’s also really bloody funny. Ayesha Hazarika, comedian and broadcaster
Gary Gulman: The Great Depresh (Amazon Prime, with an HBO subscription)
This is a really great set from a comedian who had a complete breakdown, was sectioned and then took the obvious route of turning that ordeal into a standup routine. It is a fantastically funny and insightful look at how depression can affect anyone; it is genuinely heartbreaking at times but also offers hope. I won’t spoil it but the final line changed the way I talk about my own mental illness and I know rings true with a lot of other people. Tom, HR adviser, Cumbria
The Delightful Sausage on Harry Hill’s Clubnite
Comedy award-nominated double act The Delightful Sausage are so vigorously hilarious and lovable. Amy Gledhill and Chris Cantrill really push the audience to laugh at things we feel like we shouldn’t laugh at, while being professionally aware not to go beyond that. Unlike a lot of sketch comedy, Delightful Sausage doesn’t really have a fourth wall – or, they do, but it’s behind all of us as we’re right there on stage with them. We are not watching two innocently insidious holiday park employees, we are watching two very funny human comedians pretending to be holiday park employees – we’re in on the joke and it’s brilliant. Sofie Hagen, comedian
Mitch Hedberg: Do You Believe in Gosh?
I got turned on to Mitch via the podcast of the American comedian Doug Stanhope. They were friends, or at least moved in the same groups, before Mitch passed away, but Mitch’s material couldn’t be farther from Doug’s. His rapid-fire one liners are sharp, and seemingly obvious, but it’s the way he delivers them that makes them way funnier than they have any right to be. Peter Jahn, works in non-profit digital marketing, Glasgow
Patrice O’Neal: Elephant in the Room
This is an ageless classic of observational comedy – it was his magnus opus and has me gasping for air every time I watch it. O’Neal passed away soon after, but his work has a cult following and legendary status. The guy is completely out of order on some issues but everyone catches it: men and women, all races, the media, animals. His delivery is quiet, conspiratorial at times. He’s like your funniest mate down at the pub. One of a kind. His work is keen social commentary and, best of all, he makes you laugh at your own messed-up mentality and conditioning. D Jones, commercial manager, London
Guy Montgomery: The A-Z of Healthy Eating
This early lockdown set from New Zealand’s Guy Montgomery (of The Worst Idea of All Time podcast “fame”) is fantastic for two reasons. One, it’s really funny; and two, it shows you can be pissed out of your mind and really funny, which is a harder trick than it looks. Ricky Young, works in security, London
Tommy Ryman: Kale Chips and River Crystals
Tommy Ryman is the funniest standup comedian I’ve heard in a long time. His self-deprecating sense of humour and clever way of tying different parts of his routine to each other is supersmart and hilariously funny. Nanette McKenney, freelance graphic designer, Arizona
Colin Quinn: The New York Story (Netflix)
The SNL veteran’s specials are 20% history lesson, 80% loving takedown by the grumpiest man New York ever produced. His mastery is on full display throughout all of them, but if you had to pick one, then it would be New York Story. Anyone who caught his trip to London just before everything went wrong will know what to expect; those that didn’t are in for a treat. Richard Peacocke, product manager at Ordnance Survey, Hampshire
Nico Yearwood: Bajan in Britain
Nico Yearwood has been keeping me laughing throughout a difficult lockdown spent homeschooling kids who would rather be on Roblox. His set Bajan in Britain is hilarious, from his interactions with the audience to the variety of topics touched on. He’s definitely one to watch. Lisa Renwick, teaching assistant, Kent
Bill Burr: Walk Your Way Out (Netflix)
To be hysterically funny while espousing deeply unpalatable opinions is something only an elite group of comedians are capable of. Disagree all you like, you cannot deny the craft. Burr’s breathtaking set here is just one example of a genre he has mastered. He chastises those who label plus-size actors as brave. Doesn’t sound very funny, does it? And therein lies the genius. Simon Brodkin, comedian. Simon tours his brandnew show Troublemaker from 11 September-11 December 2021. Tickets are at simonbrodkin.com