By: Tyson Paul
More than ever, comedians changed how people thought, shocked, and laughed over the past 365 days.
A diverse lineup of stand-up specials in 2024, there’s something for everyone. From intimate storytelling sessions to edgy takes on life’s absurdities, these comedians are redefining the landscape of humor while inviting us to laugh at ourselves and the world around us.
We Own The Laughs honors the hundred most impactful comedy specials/albums that the year had to offer.
No matter if you were having great days or suffering a bad month, these comedians gave us moments that immediately had us laughing at life.
Today, our countdown spotlights from number forty-nine down to number twenty-five.
49. Phil Wang “Wang In There, Baby!”
Wang In There, Baby! comes three years after the comedian’s debut for Netflix, Philly Philly Wang Wang, which put him on the map in the States. It focuses on being British, Asian, octopuses, American, and the trappings of minor fame.
Watch Here: Phil Wang “Wang In There, Baby!”
48. Nate Bargatze “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze”
Nate Bargatze has arguably been the hottest stand-up comic over the past five years and he’s accomplished that feat in a very old-school way. Bargatze is personable, wry and generally works clean. It’s a classic performing style and Bargatze has it honed to perfection. In his latest special, Your Friend, Nate Bargatze, Nate is proving that he’s only getting started on this victory lap. So prepare to witness an excellent run.
Watch Here: Nate Bargatze “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze”
47. Sal Vulcano “Terrified”
In his debut special, acclaimed comedian Sal Vulcano vividly recalls his fears throughout his adolescent life and how they have lingered much too long into adulthood. Sal offers a charming perspective of his hysterical real-life experiences with the lies about thunder, surprisingly menacing 80s song lyrics, and the war against moths that never quite happened.
Watch Here: Sal Vulcano “Terrified”
46. Mary Basmadjian “Funny Armenian Girl”
Meet Mary Basmadjian and her Armenian immigrant family through her stand-up. Her comedic work pokes holes and fun at topics rooted in intersectional identity, mental health, digital culture and the Armenian immigrant experience in America.
Watch Here: Mary Basmadjian “Funny Armenian Girl”
45. Tig Notaro “Hello, Again”
Featuring her signature delivery and celebrated gift for storytelling, Notaro’s riotous new hour is sure to entertain and amuse, hitting all the right notes along the way to its virtuosic finale.
Watch Here: Tig Notaro “Hello, Again”
44. Zoltan Kaszas “Honorary Jones”
As the end of the world approaches, comedian Zoltan Kaszas reflects on his father figures, getting married, moving to New York and more in his stand-up special.
Watch Here: Zoltan Kaszas “Honorary Jones”
43. Rachel Feinstein “Big Guy”
From her firefighter husband’s unflattering pet name to her mum’s aggressive accessorizing, the comic lets loose in this stand-up comedy special.
Watch Here: Rachel Feinstein “Big Guy”
42. Keith Robinson “Different Strokes”
From trying to order Popeyes after his stroke to popping Viagra on a plane, revered comedian Keith Robinson gets real in this hilarious stand-up special.
Watch Here: Keith Robinson “Different Strokes”
41. Josh Wolf “Four Stories”
Wolf shares the four funniest stories from his life – and the craziest part is, they’re all true! Yes, these are stories that actually happened, no matter how unbelievable they may sound!
Watch Here: Josh Wolf “Four Stories”
40. Gary Owen “Broken Family”
Generational comedians always work best when the world witnesses an individual rise to superstardom, only to view a moment when they lose their perfect perception and are forced to prove how truly talented they are while putting the pieces of their lives back together as we watch. Gary Owen delivers a tell-all stand-up set about post-divorce chaos, social media mishaps, dating in middle age & the comedy of family drama
Watch Here: Gary Owen “Broken Family”
39. Daphnique Springs “Single Female”
Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or somewhere in between, Daphnique Springs’ comedic storytelling will have you nodding in agreement and laughing out loud. From hilarious dating mishaps to navigating societal pressures, Daphnique fearlessly tackles it all with her signature blend of humor and authenticity.
Watch Here: Daphnique Springs “Single Female”
38. Mo Welch “Dad Jokes”
Filmed at the Lodge Room in Highland Park and all over Illinois, Welch’s debut special follows her as she explains her lifelong obsession with dad jokes as a way to process the aftermath of her own father’s abandonment.
Watch Here: Mo Welch “Dad Jokes”
37. Preacher Lawson “My Name Is Preacher”
In his electrifying second stand-up comedy special, My Name Is Preacher, the dynamic comedian Preacher Lawson brings his trademark high-energy style to the stage. Sharing uproarious tales from his comedic journey, Preacher invites audiences into his world of family-friendly humor, infused with boundless charm.
Watch Here: Preacher Lawson “My Name Is Preacher”
36. Anjelah Johnson-Reyes “Technically Not Stalking”
The special draws upon pre-pandemic comedy from Anjelah’s “Technically Not Stalking Tour” and is a personal victory for her as it was the first comedy special she proudly self-produced and self-funded.
Watch Here: Anjelah Johnson-Reyes “Techincally Not Stalking”
35. Jo Koy “Live From Brooklyn”
A stand-up comedy special filmed at the historic King’s Theatre in Brooklyn, NY, where Jo Koy humorously explores topics like social media, getting older, and entering a new life phase.
Watch Here: Jo Koy “Live From Brooklyn”
34. Jenny Slate “Seasoned Professional”
Jenny Slate is alive on planet earth, and apparently, this is what it’s like for her. In her second romantic, electric and naughty little stand-up special, the acclaimed comedian, actress and author proves being brave for love is worth it — even when exploding a baby out of your vagina, stalking your therapist, or trusting your partner to not destroy you. Because being chill is a fool’s errand.
Watch Here: Jenny Slate “Seasoned Professional”
33. Jeff Dye “The Last Cowboy In LA”
Jeff Dye takes his renegade attitude to the stage in his debut comedy special, The Last Cowboy in LA. Get ready for non-stop laughter that will leave you wondering if maybe you’ve been alive too long.
Watch Here: Jeff Dye “The Last Cowboy In LA”
32. Anthony Jeselnik “Bones & All”
Anthony Jeselnik celebrates 20 years of delivering boundary-pushing comedy to the masses in this razor-sharp stand-up special. For his third Netflix comedy special, Anthony Jeselnik looks back on his two decades of stand-up to remind us how long he has reigned as a dark prince of “gallows humor,” and rubs it in a bit when it comes to his peers who complain that “cancel culture” is somehow getting in the way of their ability to tell jokes.
Watch Here: Anthony Jeselnik “Bones & All”
31. Adam Ray “Like & Subscribe”
From Dr. Phil to Dr. Pimple Popper, Adam Ray’s rapid fire delivery covers awkward flights, his rapper brother in law, Disneyland etiquette, and his childhood dream. Adam’s ability to connect the room and keep audiences engaged, makes this special a must see.
Watch Here:Adam Ray “Like & Subscribe”
30. Hannah Einbinder “Everything Must Go”
In her debut stand-up special, Holding a rapt audience in the palm of her hand, Einbinder debuts a variety of characters, including the sun, moon, and earth, and shares hilariously formative stories from throughout her life including the lengths her parents went to for a son (only to have her instead), her failed attempts at meditation, and the divine intervention experienced at her grandmother’s funeral. The comedian also gets candid about being queer, her faith, climate change, and her stoner roots in this unpredictable and highly funny debut comedy hour.
Watch Here: Hannah Einbinder “Everything Must Go”
29. Joe Gatto “Messing With People”
Former Impractical Joker Joe Gatto’s hilarious new comedy special sheds some more light on what makes Joe tick. Besides taking you through his lifelong experiences of messing with people, Joe dives in sharing his perspective on an array of topics with his signature wit and charm.
Watch Here: Joe Gatto “Messing With People”
28. Michael Blaustein “Silly Goose”
Every joke, every set, every night grinding through the Los Angeles comedy scene has led him up to this moment. Stiff Socks podcast host/stand-up comedian Michael Blaustein put everything he had into this, and it would mean the world to him for you all to watch.
Watch Here: Michael Blaustein “Silly Goose”
27. Liz Miele “Murder Sheets”
Filmed live at The Bell House in Brooklyn, Liz hit the stage with her rapid-fire storytelling style to share her tales of dating, murder, rules about edibles, international touring, dead cats, and more.Miele finds so much humor in her everyday life that she is able to make even a laundry mishap sound edgy and crucial to a set.
Watch Here: Liz Miele “Murder Sheets”
26. Katt Williams “Woke Foke”
Comedian Katt Williams lets loose in real time as he hits the stage on May 4 for Netflix’s second livestreamed stand-up event. Comedians usually don’t perform material for the first time on their major specials. But, the man who claims to read a thousand books a year sure can entertain the masses better than 90% of the game.
Watch Here: Katt Williams “Woke Foke”
25. Kyle Kinane “Dirt Nap”
Much like his previous releases, Kinane’s biggest target is himself. Themes of cautious optimism and a cynical yet self-aware sense of hope permeate throughout. The crowd is left un-“worked” and free to enjoy the show, with Kinane’s only heckler being his own moral compass.
Watch Here: Kyle Kinane “Dirt Nap”
Did your favorite comedy special make our list? Voice your opinion in the comment section below and let us know your thoughts on the world of comedy in 2024.
