Awesome Standup

“Have you ever seen an Indian homeless person in America?” Standup comedian Hasan Minhaj returns to the stage after that asinine “fact-checked scandal” with a new Netflix special. Off With His Head sees Minhaj tackle The New Yorker’s malicious article about him, along with midlife crisis, and of course ye olde politics and race. Streaming now.

Crowd work is one of the hardest things to do when you’re a performer, especially if you’re a comedian. Your efforts can fall flat, or it can just go horribly wrong. This clip of a gig from stand-up comedian Max Amini starts off awkwardly. He could have taken the safe route, commended the fan, and moved on. But like a seasoned vet, he ups the ante and leans in.

(PG-13: Language) “Are you ever so horny you’re like, “I can figure out Palestine”?” Ramy Youssef had more to say after his 2019 standup special. Then everything happened. And is still happening. But the comedian went ahead with More Feelings anyway, giving us a bit of release while sharing the lose-lose situation of a celebrity trying to help out. Out now on Max.

(PG-13: Language) Comedian David Cross’ latest standup comedy special has premiered for free on YouTube. Worst Daddy in the World is a compilation of David’s 2023 tour, where he talks about being a father late in life and trying his best to be optimistic for his kids’ future.

(PG-13: Language) If comedian Nish Kumar could be any other person on the planet, it would be Will Champion, the drummer from Coldplay. He explains his rationale in this hilarious standup routine about the beauty of being fabulously rich and powerful, yet totally anonymous.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is back on the stage with his first collection of all-new standup material in over 20 years, as he complains once more about life’s little annoyances, from public bathrooms to eating bad buffet meals – a welcome respite from our world’s actual problems. The 1-hour special lands on Netflix 5.5.20.

(PG-13) The late comedian Richard Pryor is equally famous and infamous. Paramount Network’s upcoming documentary I Am Richard Pryor shares the standup legend’s brutal childhood, struggles with addiction and powerful legacy. Airs 3/15/19.

Regardless of our upbringing, there are certain things that all humans find to be beautiful. At least that’s what Tristan Newcomb of Never Got Famous thinks, as he offers up his hilarious take on the things that bring us together. He also has a thing or two to say about tortilla chips.

(PG-13: Language) “Dave, it’s impressive that you can be so large, yet so unnoticeable.” Comedian Dina Hashem proves the old proverb “speak softly and carry a big stick,” as she obliterates her opponent David Kinney in this hilariously uncomfortable comedy roast-off.

(PG-13: Language) Up-and-coming Japanese comedian Yuriko Kotani talks about how the British don’t value time as much as the Japanese do, and the proof is in her favorite English word. Also, how to respond to racist Europeans.

(PG-13 Language) In his closing skit for his Netflix special Make Happy, comedian Bo Burnham imitates Kanye’s infamous concert rants. He complains about Pringles, burritos and ultimately, how fans eat up whatever comes out of a celebrity’s mouth.

(PG-13: Language) “My favorite drug of all time is Nyquil.” Stand-up comic Lyle Drescher is fresh out of high school. He has a lot of opinions about the life he just left behind, such as the oxymoronic existence of private school bullies, spaghetti as a gateway drug and more.

(PG-13: Language) Comedian Steve Hofstetter was performing his standup act about parenting when a hecker in the audience interrupted his act, walking straight into the perfect response to her attempt to criticize his lack of hands-on experience with childbirth.

A classic standup bit (and some not so classic animation) from comedian Pete Holmes about the curious tradition of encouraging kids to beat papier-mâché animals senseless with a baseball bat in the hopes of receiving free candy.