Netflix on Thursday morning unveiled Improv: 60 and Still Standing, a comedy special celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Improv comedy clubs, which will premiere globally on the streamer November 7th.
For six decades, The Improv has stood as a trailblazer in the realm of live comedy, serving as one of the primary platforms for both up-and-coming and veteran comedians. In honor of its anniversary, 10 globally acclaimed comedians will light up the stage in Hollywood for a special evening at The Improv, alongside never-before-seen archival footage from today’s household names.
The comics dropping in for short sets include Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Bert Kreischer, Craig Robinson, Deon Cole, Fortune Feimster, Jeff Dunham, Kevin Nealon, Mark Normand, Jo Koy, and Whitney Cummings. Among those featured in rare archival footage, who arrived at The Improv as “young newcomers,” per Improv CEO Robert Hartmann, and emerged as “major stars,” are Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, Ray Romano, David Spade, Dave Attell, Wanda Sykes, Margaret Cho, and the late Norm Macdonald.
Originating in the ’60s as a single venue in Hell’s Kitchen before franchising in the ’70s, The Improv was acquired by Levity Live in early 2018 and can currently be found in 23 locations across the country, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, Miami and Washington, D.C. Noted Hartmann, “After 60 years, the Improv stages nationwide continue to be a key launch pad for an incredibly diverse range of artists to speak their truth.”
Directing 60 and Still Standing was Jeff Tomsic, the Emmy nominee known for helming the specials of everyone from Kreischer and Macdonald to Big Jay Oakerson and Kountry Wayne. Robert Hartmann, Judi Marmel, Stu Schreiberg, and John Bravakis exec produced, with Zoe Friedman and Johnny Milord serving as co-executive producers.
Most recently releasing comedy specials from the likes of Shane Gillis, Kountry Wayne, Luenell, Michelle Wolf, and Beth Stelling, Netflix counts amongst its titles coming up Heather McMahan: Son I Never Had (October 17), Pete Holmes: I Am Not for Everyone (October 24), and Ralph Barbosa: Cowabunga (October 31).
