Bo Burnham's newest Netflix special proved that the comedian is showing no signs of regression nearly 14 years since his first youtube video was posted. Originally creating silly songs for his brother, Bo Burnham has grown into a multitalented artist that continues to impress with each new project he releases. Playing a crucial supporting role in the academy award-nominated Promising Young Woman, Bo has also produced his own movie to immense critical acclaim with the coming of age drama: Eighth Grade.
Despite all his time in the movie industry, Bo is still a comic, first and foremost. Although there is no one quite like Bo, he tends to wear his influences on his sleeve and there are tons of other comedians out there that one could draw similarities to rather it be in terms of style, or the themes of their respective comedy specials.
Mike Birbiglia
If self-depreciation is your thing then look no further than Mike Birbiglia. Similar to Bo, Birbiglia began his career in comedy doing stand-up before venturing into several other avenues such as writing and acting. However, his stand-up is still his best work for many people.
Relying mainly on long anecdotes about the mishaps and disappointments in his life, his brutal honesty and a delivery that is so low-key it borders on dull, is the perfect combination of hilarity and reality. A notable stand out for his style is his t-bone steak metaphor that serves as the cornerstone for his special: My Girlfriend's Boyfriend.
John Mulaney
One of the most well-known comedians in Hollywood today, Mulaney's casual and often random style would be appreciated by most fans of Burnham's work. Mulaney even relies on"fourth wall breaks," where he mocks his own jokes, much like Burnham himself. Although most of his credits are as a writer on various TV shows as well a years-long stint on Saturday Night Live, Mulaney's best work is his stand-up.
With numerous specials under his belt, it can be hard to pick just one to start with. However, The Top Part is an excellent intro into the comedian as the Salt and Pepper Diner bit is still one of his best.
James Acaster
One of the most similar to Bo Burnham in terms of comedic style, James Acaster is a great comedian to look into for fans of Bo's randomness. Acasters' live shows have plenty in common with Burnham with the use of props and hand gestures, music, and other sound effects during the show.
Acaster relies mostly on observational humor, breaking down stranger interactions and trying to unravel why people act and say the things they do. Acasters' critique of the British Empire is particularly noteworthy and is reminiscent of Bo's "How The World Works," from his latest special.
Tim Minchin
Musical comedy is the name of the game when it comes to Minchin. The Australian comedian has been steadily performing live comedy shows and releasing comedy albums full of hilarious songs that offer razor-sharp critiques of society, religion, and plenty of other topics that many would see as controversial.
Fans of Burnham will notice just how similar the two are in terms of stage persona, speaking directly to the audience to set up jokes or mock their own performance, all with a heavy touch of irony.
Demetri Martin
Known for his awkward and dead-pan delivery, Demetri Martin's stand-up is a hysterical mess at times. Although he's been doing standup for years, much of Demetri's best work was during his time as a writer on The Daily Show.
Some of the show's best bits were the brainchild of Martin such as the Trendspotting segment on the show that saw him explore all that is new and hip in the world like Hookah, Guerilla Marketing, and Credit. You know, just the things the kids are talking about these days.
Garfunkel And Oates
Many people have been lucky enough to stumble upon the hilarious song-writing duo completely by accident thanks to the good ol' YouTube algorithm. However, in this case, it is an absolute blessing.
The two Millenials have been writing and performing a series of hilarious songs about all that is weird and awkward in the world of dating and being at that awkward phase between adulthood and actual adulthood. Their folksy songs are hilarious and insanely catchy, just be careful where you sing those lyrics.
George Carlin
Considered by many to be the gold standard when it comes to stand-up comedy, years after his death, the influence of Carlin can be felt in almost every comic performing today. Carlin's signature was his social commentary, a subject that he simply did not hold back on.
For Burnham's Inside, this aspect is on full display in so many of the songs and bits in the show. Burnham has also mentioned Carlin several times when discussing his influences and figures that made him want to pursue a career in comedy if that isn't enough of an endorsement, watching any of his comedy specials should seal the deal.
Reggie Watts
The talented comedian, beat-boxer, and multi-instrumentalist could give Burnham a run for his money in terms of sheer creativity. With one of the most unique stand-up shows that viewers will ever watch, Watts is both hilarious and incredibly skilled. Much of his show involved the use of beat-boxing as he creates funny songs using only his voice.
Using different sounds Watts is able to loop the music together live and turn a series of seemingly random sound effects into a hilarious masterpiece of performing.
Sam Simmons
Another comedian that hails from Australia, Sam Simmons is a master of self-deprecating humor. Mocking everything from his vague appearance to Super Mario or the fact that he looks like some of the characters on Guess Who.
Just like Bo, he also incorporates pre-recorded voice tracks into his show, for a call and response aspect with himself similar to what Bo Burnham has done in many of his comedy specials. Viewers who are interested in seeing someone wear loaves of bread as shoes, Simmons is sure to scratch that very specific itch.
Bill Hick
Despite his death in 1994, Hicks is still a fairly relevant comedian today, mainly due to so many of his jokes aging remarkably well into the modern day. Hicks is another comedian that seems to exemplify some of the aspects that Bo seems to enjoy in his own comedy.
Just like Bo, Hicks has a tendency to make greater and deeper points intermingled with some of his jokes. Consistently considered one of the greatest comedians of all time, it's a travesty that the world was deprived of more of his comedy after his death at the age of 32.