Stand-up comedy has changed a lot as a result of the recent dominance of online streaming platforms like Netflix, with comedians such as Bo Burnham still finding new ways to release content, and it means a whole host of weird and hilarious comedy specials are being released every year.
This year has been no exception, with some blistering stand-up special debuts for Ms. Pat and Moses Storm but plenty of veterans such as David Spade and Ricky Gervais returning to the stage too. As for which of this year's comedy specials is the most worth watching right now, the comedy fans of Ranker voted to decide just that.
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy (Netflix)
For anyone who hasn't seen The Ms. Pat Show on streaming service BET+, Patricia William's new comedy special on Netflix is the perfect appetizer. Like the show, which is a sitcom partially based on Ms. Pat's life story, a lot of the laughs in this special come from her hilariously unfiltered and foul-mouthed persona.
From childhood memories to parenting, Ms. Pat approaches it with the same honest, outspoken style that brings out the humor in anything. Although it's her first full stand-up special, her experience on the comedy circuit shows and there hasn't been a better time to find out why Ms. Pat has so many fans.
David Spade: Nothing Personal (Netflix)
There aren't many comedians releasing specials right now that have more experience than David Spade. The star of sitcoms such as Rules of Engagement and movies such as The Emperor's New Groove is back on Netflix to apply his sardonic, self-deprecating sense of humor to just about any subject you could think of and more.
One of the best parts of David Spade's style is the way he balances the absurd and the mundane, making a relatable point one second and then going on a hilariously unhinged rant about crabs the next. He may have been doing this for a long time but the comedian seems in prime form in this special.
Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel (HBO)
Considering his first HBO stand-up special, 2014's Love at the Store, was already great, it's amazing that Jerrod Carmichael has only gotten better with each one since. Rothaniel is his best show yet, as the comedian adopts an honest approach whilst discussing his life, his upbringing, and his identity.
Jerrod leaves out none of the more painful parts of coming out at the age of 30 but his skill is still managing to turn it into some incredibly funny and sometimes heartwarming anecdotes. Though Bo Burnham is usually known as a performer, he takes on a directing role in a show that's a must-see for any Jerrod Carmichael fans.
Ali Wong: Don Wong (Netflix)
The third Netflix special of Ali Wong and her first since the success of Always Be My Maybe and Tuca & Bertie, Don Wong is the show of a comedian at her most confident and it shows. Not that her previous stand-up shows held much back, Ali Wong keeps the same raunchy humor that has endeared her to so many fans.
Not afraid to discuss her deepest thoughts and fantasies, Ali doesn't just ooze complete comfort and honesty, she also encourages other women to do the same. Full of great very adult jokes and memorable moments, Don Wong is exactly what the best R-rated comedy should be like.
Chris DiStefano: Speshy Weshy (Netflix)
First appearing on-screen in MTV's Guy Code in 2012, Chris DiStefano's rise over the past decade has been impressive and he seems at home playing sold-out comedy shows for Comedy Central and now Netflix. The comedian has boundless energy on stage, constantly highlighting his points with exaggerated gestures and on-point imitations of social media commenters.
DiStefano covers a huge range of subjects but social media and people who'll find anything to complain about are often the subjects of his rants. He does a great job of pointing out the absurdity to be found there whilst lightly making fun of himself along the way, making for a package that's thoroughly entertaining throughout.
Earthquake: Legendary (Netflix)
Although he has appeared in a variety of films and television shows going back to the mid-2000s, Earthquake has always been something of a comedian's comedian. An Earthquake comedy special is almost always a treat to anyone who enjoys the craft of comedy, full of hilarious yet down-to-earth anecdotes.
Legendary is no exception and it goes further to prove that Earthquake is a man who can make any subject funny, whether it's celebrity funerals or intrusive medical procedures. With so many hilarious comedy shows on Netflix, this is one that doesn't deserve to slip under the radar.
Ricky Gervais: Supernature (Netflix)
For fans of sardonic British humor, Ricky Gervais is without a doubt one of the best. In his second Netflix special, the comedian falls back on a lot of his favorite subjects from previous shows, including nature and atheism, but as usual, it is his absurdist worldview and trademark exasperated delivery that makes it all work so well.
Ricky also continues to show his talent for dark comedy which also shines through in shows like After Life. Though his sarcastic and abrasive manner might not work for everyone, every joke in Supernature is so well-crafted that it's hard not to be won over. Also lending his voice to the upcoming Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, 2022 is shaping up to be a good year for Ricky.
Moses Storm: Trash White (HBO Max)
Trash White is produced by Conan O'Brien and it's immediately easy to see why the presenter put his faith in the young comic. Presented on a stage surrounded by what appears to be actual trash painted white, Moses Storm delivers a creative show that dives into the extreme poverty he experienced when he was younger.
Full of almost unbelievable anecdotes, including a country club break-in and his family getting featured on America's Funniest Home Videos, the comedian mines his earlier years for hilarious stories. A great joke-teller and performer, Trash White gives a glimpse of the potential of Moses Storm.
Aziz Ansari: Nightclub Comedian (Netflix)
Whilst sold-out theatre shows can make for great stand-up specials, Aziz Ansari's sixth is filmed in the intimate atmosphere of The Comedy Cellar in New York and it works to the show's benefit. The comedian constantly plays off the crowd and their reactions whilst delivering a half-hour of excellent jokes that gently make fun of some of the things that have come out of the pandemic.
Though he's perhaps best well-known for playing Tom Haverford, one of the less well-liked characters in Parks and Recreation, Aziz approaches a lot of his topics with a sense of balance and empathy. At its best, Nightclub Comedian feels almost like a conversation with the audience and Aziz thrives in this atmosphere.
Taylor Tomlinson: Look At You (Netflix)
Taylor Tomlinson has grown a lot since her first Netflix special Quarter-Life Crisis, both as a comedian and in the mental health journey that is the source of a lot of the comedy in the show. Look at You is her best piece of work so far, a show that's personal and insightful without sacrificing anything in terms of good old-fashioned hilarious jokes.
Taylor Tomlinson is the perfect argument for why Netflix needs to keep giving comedy specials to young comedians. As she delves into her past, every anecdote is filled with her distinctive sense of humor. Introspective and unrelenting with the jokes, Taylor Tomlinson has something to enjoy for any kind of comedy fan.