Viral Comic Atsuko Okatsuka Scores Hulu Special
Hulu’s roster of stand-up comedians is expanding further.
The streaming service has recently signed a deal with Atsuko Okatsuka for her second special, which will be recorded at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre in early November. Although specific details are being kept confidential for now, she will join a lineup that already includes Bill Burr, Jim Gaffigan, Roy Wood Jr., Ilana Glazer, and others. It is also expected that Hulu will announce new hours from Sebastian Manisculco and Jessica Kirson soon.
Okatsuka joked about her new collaboration with Hulu, saying, “As a company that revolutionized cartoons, it was only a matter of time before they asked me to work with them. I mean, look at me – I sport a bowl cut and wear bright colors. I am Toon Town. Excited to spread joy and antics around the world with the Disney/Hulu family.”
This announcement comes as Hulu prepares to launch its “Hularious” stand-up brand in November, with specials set to be released monthly on Hulu (and internationally on Disney+). Unlike Netflix, which has a faster release schedule, Hulu is deliberately releasing fewer stand-up specials. The company aims to attract comedians by emphasizing that its platform is less crowded with stand-up content and thus offers a unique opportunity for talent.
Hulu is also reportedly leveraging the power of the Disney brand, offering to connect comics with other leaders within the larger company.
The push for stand-up comedy is gaining momentum in an otherwise challenging entertainment industry. Hulu and several other platforms are investing in new specials, with some even willing to spend up to eight figures for an hour-long special. The hope is that comics will attract new subscribers and provide valuable promotion through their tours, podcasts, and social media.
Okatsuka’s new material is currently the focus of her Full Grown Tour, a worldwide theater tour that has taken her to over 20 countries and sold more than 100,000 tickets. Her first special, directed by Tig Notaro and titled The Intruder, was released on HBO in December 2022 and was quickly named the “best debut special of 2022” by The New York Times and one of the year’s best hours by Vulture.
More recently, Okatsuka has added roles in films such as All the We Love, Group Therapy and an upcoming studio comedy Outcome, starring Jonah Hill and Keanu Reeves. However, many may still recognize her from viral moments, including the #DropChallenge, which she created with her grandmother and has already been viewed over 10 million times.
