Well, well, let me tell you something, my dear friends! I’ve been laughing and crying alongside these comedians as I delved into their stand-up specials, and boy, have they got some stories to tell!
As a gaming enthusiast diving into the world of TV comedy, I’ve found that while comedians have been gracing our screens since the early days of television, it can be tricky to find shows that resonate with everyone. If you’re after some edgy or divisive humor, this isn’t the list for you. Instead, I’ve curated a list of programs that both critics and audiences can unanimously appreciate.
Occasionally, you might come across a list of contemporary comedy specials that have won the approval of both critics and audiences. While there were many brilliant comedians who emerged before the advent of Rotten Tomatoes, and plenty more who are cherished by comedy enthusiasts despite being overlooked by critics, it’s when these two groups find common ground that you discover names with a wide following.
Bo Burnham: Inside
Bo Burnham’s 2021 musical comedy special was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving it a unique atmosphere compared to other comedy shows. Fortunately, this distinctiveness is well-received by both audiences and critics who highly praise the Netflix original. Moreover, it shares a remarkable similarity in ratings between viewers and critics, with critics rating it as high as 93% and the audience at 95%.
Ramy Youssef: More Feelings
As a passionate admirer, I’d like to share my perspective: Despite Ramy Youssef not breaking the biggest ratings records during his SNL hosting tenure, he has undeniably made an impact in the entertainment industry. His stand-up performances resonate deeply with many viewers, and they appreciate the unique perspectives he offers. His 2024 special, “More Feelings,” delves into a fragmented world and other relevant themes that have captivated audiences and critics alike. In fact, all critics who reviewed his special gave it a perfect score, while an impressive 91% of viewers shared the same sentiment.
Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special
For many years before his passing at age 61, Norm Macdonald provided conceptually funny comedy that resonated with audiences. The taping for Nothing Special, originally intended to be performed live, was done just before his death and later released posthumously. Critics and viewers alike embraced this unique production, with all critics giving it a thumbs up and 86% of the audience enjoying the unusual format for joke-telling. Amongst Norm’s other impressive works, Nothing Special stands out as particularly noteworthy in today’s review aggregator era.
Ali Wong: Baby Cobra
Among the latest comedy specials available on Netflix, I find Ali Wong’s “Baby Cobra” particularly captivating. This performance was recorded while she was pregnant (and in a relationship with Justin Hakuta at the time). The comedy special resonates deeply with women during certain life phases, but its appeal extends beyond that, earning a perfect 100% rating from critics and an impressive 74% positive response from the audience.
Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel
As a gaming enthusiast, I can confidently say that when it comes to comedy specials, Jerrod Carmichael’s work truly stands out. Critics and viewers alike have praised his unique style, and in this streaming age, there are several of his specials that have garnered widespread acclaim. Among them, the HBO 2022 original Rothaniel really takes the cake, boasting a 100% approval rating from critics and an impressive 84% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time
Jim Gaffigan’s humor translates well across various settings, and he’s been producing comedy specials for over a decade, earning multiple Grammy nominations along the way. His latest special, “Quality Time,” has received unanimous praise from critics in the current review era, scoring 100%. Fans who watched it also gave it a strong rating of 88%, which is quite impressive considering this was his seventh release.
Patton Oswalt: Talking For Clapping
In this case, we find ourselves at a stalemate, folks. Although Talking For Clapping fell slightly short of the impressive 90% rating, an astounding 86% of both critics and viewers who watched the 2016 Netflix special expressed their appreciation for the actor and comedian’s performance. A truly remarkable and notable score, indeed!
Wanda Sykes: Not Normal
Wanda Sykes’ comedy special from 2019 resonated with a lot of people. Although her later standup specials have received lower ratings from audiences than critics, Not Normal is exceptional with a perfect 100% score from critics and an audience score of 84%. Even so, I’d advise taking a look at her earlier work, such as I’ma Be Me, which was released before the aggregation era.
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous At Radio City
John Mulaney boasts numerous highly recommended comedy specials, such as the exceptional “New In Town,” but it’s worth mentioning that his 2018 special, “Kid Gorgeous At Radio City,” was released late enough for both critics and audiences to provide aggregate feedback. Notably, it received a perfect score of 100% from critics and an impressive 91% rating from the audience. This follow-up performance is more highly acclaimed than his most recent special, “Baby J.
Tig Notaro: Happy To Be Here
Tig Notaro’s style in comedy is distinctively hers, and while her stand-up has not always resonated with everyone (some critics adore her, but audiences can sometimes be less captivated), her 2018 special titled “Happy To Be Here” garnered praise from both critics and spectators alike. If you’re looking for something other than her TV specials, many fans would suggest “Live,” the viral performance she recorded following her breast cancer diagnosis.
Richard Pryor: Live In Concert
The first feature film that integrated a stand-up performance, titled “Live in Concert“, is a remarkable show by an esteemed comedian of all time. With an impressive rating of 93% from critics and 92% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has maintained its appeal since its premiere in 1979.
Nate Bargatze: The Greatest Average American
Initially, Nate Bargatze’s debut TV special “The Tennessee Kid” received little attention from critics. However, by the time his second special, “The Greatest Average American“, was released on Netflix in 2021, they had taken notice. This second special garnered a perfect score of 100% from critics and an impressive 90%, indicating that Bargatze has a wide appeal among audiences. The comedian is known for his humor centered around relatable topics such as shopping for clothes and learning from his children’s homework assignments.
Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend
Among standup specials released over a decade ago, very few have managed to maintain their popularity as much as Mike Birbiglia’s “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend.” Its unique theme – exploring love triangles, making tough choices in life, and prioritizing relationships – is both captivating and timeless. This special has garnered unanimous praise from a limited number of critics, and an impressive 86% approval rating from the general audience. It’s definitely worth your time to watch it.
Chris Rock: Kill The Messenger
Chris Rock has been active for quite some time, and several of his earlier comedy specials have garnered significant attention from both critics and viewers. Among these, the standout is “Kill The Messenger,” which received a perfect 100% score from critics and an impressive 89% rating from audiences. This was Rock’s fifth special, filmed across various cities over several nights. The final product is truly exceptional.
Anthony Jeselnik: Thoughts And Prayers
Regarding Jeselnik’s typically gloomy humor, I initially doubted if the audience and reviewers would share the same perspective for his 2015 Netflix standup special called “Thoughts and Prayers“. However, both groups appeared to appreciate it, with critics joining 88% of viewers in giving it a positive nod. This performance marked his second special following his rise to fame on Last Comic Standing.
The Original Kings Of Comedy
A timeless comedy gem, “Spike Lee’s stand-up film” (which incorporates behind-the-scenes footage) boasts a formidable team of comedic greats. Stars like Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric The Entertainer, Bernie Mac bring unparalleled humor to the screen. Although some jokes might not resonate as strongly today, it remains a timeless classic that continues to delight 83% of critics and 79% of viewers in modern times.
Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to say that Adam Sandler’s “100% Fresh” is almost as close to perfection as it gets when it comes to comedy specials. With an impressive 90% rating from critics and a staggering 91% approval from the audience, this Netflix gem earned Sandler a well-deserved Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special nomination at the Emmys in 2018. To top it off, my buddy Dan Bull and the one and only Rob Schneider even made appearances!
Eddie Murphy Delirious
Frequently appearing on lists ranking the best stand-up comedy shows ever made, Eddie Murphy’s extended 1983 stand-up performance stands out for its hilarious jokes and a distinctive fashion statement from the comedian. Remarkably, the audience appreciation is particularly high at 90%, whereas critics give it an impressive 83% rating.
Rory Scovel Tries Stand-up For The First Time
Rory Scovel, often recognized for his roles in series such as Robbie (Comedy Central) and Physical (Apple TV Plus), is not just an actor but also a talented writer. He has produced several standup specials from 2015 to 2024, one of which is the intriguingly titled Rory Scovel Tries Stand-up for the First Time. However, it’s worth noting that this title might be a bit misleading as his earlier comedy special The Charleston Special from 2015 is also standup. The 2017 release, however, offers a more unpredictable and suspenseful performance, earning an impressive 89% approval from critics, while maintaining a slightly lower but still good 75% rating among audiences.
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas
In their initial performance titled “Nannette,” they received both a Peabody Award and an Emmy at Primetime. However, following the massive success of Hannah Gadsby’s second act, “Douglas,” they embarked on an extensive tour after its release. This production often sold out quickly in various locations. The critical rating for “Douglas” stands at 93%, while audiences have given it a 66% rating.
Bill Burr: Paper Tiger
Bill Burr has been in the stand-up comedy scene for quite some time, but his pre-Covid Netflix special from 2019 has recently garnered renewed interest. In this special, he humorously discusses anger management (and even hints that it might be his last comedy special), yet he continues to captivate audiences. This particular special resonates more with viewers, as 96% of them appreciate it, while only 86% of critics offer criticism. Despite the varying opinions, both scores are impressive.
Sincerely, Louis C.K.
It’s possible you’ve heard that Louis C.K. faced cancellation, but he’s continued producing content regardless. His recent standup specials titled “Sorry” and “Sincerely” have garnered positive feedback from both critics and viewers, suggesting his career may not be over yet for the comedian.
Jerry Before Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld has been performing stand-up comedy for quite some time now, yet his more recent skits haven’t fallen short either. His 2017 special on Netflix, titled “Jerry Before Seinfeld“, garnered an impressive 95% approval from critics and a decent 75% from viewers as well. The show is intriguing because it takes us on a trip through his childhood and teenage years before he became the renowned Seinfeld, the stand-up comedian that fans adore. It even earned him a Grammy nomination.
Chris Rock: Bigger And Blacker
Chris Rock’s “Bigger and Blacker” is consistently ranked as one of the best standup performances ever. I must admit, I was taken aback to find that it continues to earn approval from 86% of critics and an impressive 89% of audiences. It’s also noteworthy that this performance often appears on lists of classic standup acts.
Iliza: Elder Millennial
Known for her work on Netflix productions such as Spenser Confidential, Iliza Shlesinger has also made a name for herself in the stand-up comedy world. Her act titled Elder Millennial stands out with its clever title and humorous content, earning praise not only from critics but also from audiences.
Hasan Minhaj: The King’s Jester
The comedian featured on “The Daily Show” is recognized for his extensive television work, yet his stand-up performances are also commendable. His second Netflix special, titled “The King’s Jester“, has garnered attention for its humorous jabs at Starbucks and the high energy Minhaj displays on stage. It’s not surprising that it received an 86% rating from critics and an 80% approval from audiences.
Kevin Hart: Laugh At My Pain
In contrast to many of Kevin Hart’s standup performances that appear to resonate more with critics than with the public, his 2011 film “Laugh at my Pain” stands out as an exception. This comedy film features guest appearances from Taraji P. Henson and RuPaul, and it has garnered positive feedback not just from critics (with a rating of 71%), but also from more than 5,000 audience members who have rated it extremely highly at 84%.
Chris Gethard: Career Suicide
Chris Gethard’s show, titled “Career Suicide“, presents a mix of humor and melancholy, delving into topics such as depression, alcohol dependency, and suicide attempts. Following its debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, HBO recorded a special based on this material. The critical response has been unanimous, with all critics giving it a perfect score of 100%. As for audience reception, it stands at 74%.
Mae Martin: SAP
In 2023, Mae Martin released their debut comedy special titled “SAP“. Named after a humorous tale within the special about a man choosing to taste sap from a tree instead of facing two beasts, it received an impressive 80% rating from critics and continues to garner a favorable 62% feedback from audiences.
Dave Chappelle: 8:46
Known for his strict no-phone policy at performances, Dave Chappelle’s shows are occasionally secretly recorded for future viewing. Notably, his 2020 special was filmed outdoors amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and combined traditional comedy with socially-relevant humor, creating a unique blend. Critics and audiences alike praised this hybrid, with the special receiving 90% approval from critics and 85% from viewers.
Katt Williams: Great America
Over the course of his career, Katt Williams has produced numerous standup specials. However, a shift occurred in 2018 when he moved from HBO to Netflix, which garnered him fresh attention and followers. Critics gave Great America an overall rating of 80%, while audiences rated it at 62%. If you enjoy this performance, I strongly suggest you explore his previous specials, as he has been consistently producing them since 2006.
Sam Jay: 3 In The Morning
2020 saw SNL writer Sam Jay taking a break from her usual busy schedule of writing and producing to film the comedy special “3 In The Morning” for Netflix. This production garnered an impressive 86% rating from critics and 62% from viewers, and her outfit in the special evokes the fashion sense of the early 2000s.
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2024-10-02 00:38