TOP NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIALS.
Knowing what to stream at home has become an important way to keep sane during times of social isolation. One-hour comedy specials from major talents have been a big part of Netflix’s key new investments in the past years, and they’re paying off — the service now has a significant library of new comedy specials from the greats.
And sure, searches for contagion-related fare are surging, but why settle for something grim right now? There’s no better time to indulge in the best one-hour comedy specials on Netflix.
Best recent releases Ronny Chieng: “Asian Comedian Destroys America!”
Born to a Malaysian Chinese family and raised in Singapore, stand-up comedian Ronny Chieng spent several years in Australia before moving to the U.S. His stand-up special is more a work of cultural and political commentary on American hypocrisy — in the spirit of “Daily Show” cohorts Jon Oliver and Trevor Noah — than a memoir-style immigrant narrative. Like Oliver and Noah, Chieng uses his non-American identity as a tool to often understand — and hilariously critique — America better than any American comedian. This is a must watch.
Marc Maron: “End Times Fun”
Marc Maron might be the most consistent veteran stand-up around, rivaled perhaps only by Bill Burr as a master craftsman of cranky-man commentary whose style has hardly changed over the decades. Yet it continues to feel as fresh and relevant as ever. Maron’s perfectly titled special features his trademark combination of self-deprecating, sour observation with an enthusiasm for the ridiculous nature of getting older in the modern world. The show’s tagline is, “In times like these, all you can do is laugh.” It’s a perfect way to describe what it’s like to watch Maron — a pure pleasure.
Mike Birbiglia: “The New One”
Birbiglia is less a stand-up comedian than a storyteller, whose real-life tales on his impending fatherhood happen to be littered with funny moments and observations. First performed in a sold-out Broadway run, Birbiglia’s show has the narrative brilliance and precise writing of an August Wilson play. It’s an honest, selfconscious reflection on what it’s like to become a father when you never wanted a child in the first place.
Taylor Tomlinson: “Quarter-Life Crisis”
Taylor Tomlinson is the new kid on the block of the national comedy scene, and she’s already as good as the established names. I fell in love with her sensibility when I heard her tell this joke: “I’m a wild animal in bed — way more afraid of you than you are of me.” It’s just one of the many perfectly crafted one-liners in Tomlinson’s wheelhouse. Her debut Netflix one-hour special is a great summation of the craziness of being a 20-something.
Pete Davidson: “Alive From New York”
Most people know Pete Davidson from either “SNL” or his relationship with Ariana Grande. But Davidson has been chugging along the comedy clubs with his stoner-bro comedy for years, and “Alive From New York” is an excellent, ridiculously watchable piece of stand-up. His takes on both “SNL” and his famous ex-girlfriend are biting but never mean, and he has a scathing story about Louie C.K. as well. Likely the most underrated comic on this list, Davidson is great for anyone looking for an hour of low-intensity humor.
Other notable releases
Bo Burnham, “Make Happy”; Hannah Gadsby, “Nanette”; Ali Wong, “Hard Knock Wife” and “Baby Cobra”; John Mulaney, “The Comeback Kid” and “Kid Gorgeous”; Hasan Minhaj, “Homecoming King”; Anthony Jeselnik, “Thoughts and Prayers.”
STAND-UP COMEDIAN RONNY CHIENG