Comedy specials use humor to slice through heavy topics
It would be a bit too easy to say something like, “maybe you could use a laugh right now,” and use that as a hook to suggest some streaming comedy specials.
Mostly because the sharpest, most interesting comedy isn’t escapist entertainment, but rather, funny because it’s true, using humor to slice through heavy topics and culture wars in order to reveal intimate insights within. That being said, the jokes do help the medicine go down, making it possible to even discuss certain topics: sexuality, politics, family dynamics and more.
This is the context for highlighting several recent comedy specials worth checking out on streaming services. Netflix and HBO Max are the premiere destinations for original stand-up comedy content online, as Netflix has poured resources into producing original comedy specials, and HBO Max has a huge library of stand-up specials from over the years.
One new HBO Max comedy special is Jerrod Carmichael’s “Rothaniel,” directed by fellow comedian Bo Burnham, whose Netflix special “Inside” became a sensation last year. Carmichael — who created and starred in three seasons of the lightly autobiographical “The Carmichael Show” (streaming on Hulu), and whose directorial debut “On The Count of Three” hits theaters May 13 — takes to the stage to share some secrets about himself. Burnham shoots Carmichael with a relaxed intimacy as he unburdens himself of family secrets and personal revelations. He interacts with the audience, who challenge, query
and support him throughout the process. While “Rothaniel” isn’t a laughriot but more of a confession, Carmichael draws out the humor in some dark topics, and the material is handled with care by Burnham. Stream “Rothaniel” on HBO Max.
Another comedy special that’s similarly confessional but created and performed with an entirely different approach is Catherine Cohen’s musical comedy extravaganza “The Twist...? She’s Gorgeous,” streaming on Netflix. Cohen has been touring and performing the show for years, including an award-winning run at the Edinburgh Fringe Fest, and it’s a dizzy, delirious and delightful hour of stand-up, monologues and songs performed by Cohen, with songwriting collaborator Henry Koperski on the keys. Cohen’s milieu is the challenges of being a young woman, and she tackles body issues, dating and sexuality with a brash, unabashed attitude. Her stage persona is a blend of old Hollywood cabaret floozy, glamorous diva and a self-deprecating over-sharer; her material
is dense, self-aware and razor-sharp, with a dash of gross-out humor and a distinctly feminist streak. Plus, she has a Broadway-quality singing voice. Director Steven Brill captures the whirlwind of Cohen’s energy as she storms the stage in a hot-pink rhinestone romper and white go-go boots, the dynamism of his camera angles and swift edit highlighting the way she commands the stage and matches her energy.
Among other comedy specials to check out is the most recent season of “The Standups” on Netflix. The series features 30-minute sets from up-and-coming comedians, including Naomi Ekperigin from “Mythic Quest” (Apple TV+), Janelle James from ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” (Hulu) and Melissa Villasenor from NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” Queen of the Netflix special Ali Wong has a new hour in “Don Wong,” now on Netflix, and legendary stand-up Tig Notaro experimented with the form of the stand-up special with the fully animated “Drawn,” streaming on HBO Max.