By: Tyson Paul
More than ever before, comedians have 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 the year offered.
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 seventy-four down to fifty.
74. Ronny Chieng “Love To Hate It”
Recorded during a five-night sold run in Hawaii earlier in the year, Love To Hate It unpacks the indignities of the IVF process, the pitfalls of being a man on the internet, American politics, and the place of the older generation in today’s world. It follows his two previous Netflix specials: Asian Comedian Destroys America!, which was released in 2019, and Speakeasy, which came out in 2022.
Watch Here: Ronny Chieng “Love To Hate It”
73. Brad Williams “Starfish”
His first comedy special as a father, Williams latest installment, is filled with dirty jokes, but the subject matter has matured into themes about Marriage & Children. So sit back, relax, and drink some whiskey because he’s bringing all the greatest he’s got.
Watch Here: Brad Williams “Starfish”
72. Mike Cannon “Traumatized Animal”
Mike candidly jokes about his mental health struggles, his love for his child (and one on the way), as well as deep dives into his childhood while breaking down how it has impacted his approach as a father. Mike and this special have Chris Distefano’s stamp of approval.
Watch Here: Mike Cannon “Traumatized Animal”
71. Fern Brady “Austistic Bikini Queen”
Bikinis were not the dress code at this event, but the queen was on full display during this subdued take on self-acceptance for the whole hour. With a title fitting of her debut special, Fern’s grandiose sense of self, stories of her stripping days, her disclosure of autism, and her candid discussion of the pros and cons of having it.
Watch Here: Fern Brady “Austistic Bikini Queen”
70. Fortune Feimster “Crushing It”
Fortune shares hilarious stories from her life, including her “romantic” honeymoon with her wife and her reflections on no longer being her mom’s surrogate husband. With her unique comedic perspective and infectious energy, Fortune invites audiences into her world where laughter and love reign supreme.
Watch Here: Fortune Feimster “Crushing It”
69. J.P. McDade “In Brooklyn”
This collection of material represents more than ten years of writing and performing comedy in New York City. This set showcases McDade’s signature dry observations, damp absurdities, and sopping-wet impersonations. J.P. has been seen all over the country as a featured act for Stavros Halkias.
Watch Here: J.P. McDade “In Brooklyn”
68. David Lucas “Uncancellable”
It seems wherever this man goes, controversy follows, but while many fear that he will be written out of the comedy universe, he stands on his morals and becomes legendary. As one of the most talked-about stand-up comedians, David Lucas has had quite the 2024. Always looking to push the envelope and keep people on the edge of their chairs, Lucas adds more fuel to the fire with the release of his latest comedy special titled Uncancellable.
Watch Here: David Lucas “Uncancellable”
67. Blair Socci “Live From The Big Dog”
Blair Socci gives conspiracy theorists and OnlyFans fans a whimsical run for their money in her new special Live From The Big Dog. Kyrie Irving’s flat earth, oat milk and rotisserie chicken over the trash can is on the menu in this ridiculous mix of incredulity and absurdity. Triscuit lovers and baseball fans should heed warning: Blair’s ultra eccentric, silly humor is relentless as well as endearing.
Watch Here: Blair Socci “Live From The Big Dog”
66. Dan Licata “For The Boys”
The concept is simple—a thirty-something comedian proving that he is more than what his guidance consoler projections with an auditorium of fifteen-year-old boys using dated jokes about Bam Margera and George Bush—but it works because of how believable Licata feels as an arrested adolescent.
Watch Her: Dan Licata “For The Boys”
65. Carmen Lagala “Sweet Batch”
A delicious brand of comedy that we have been eating up all year long. In her debut comedy special Sweet Batch, stand-up comedian Carmen Lagala takes us on a very unique comedic ride filled with true stories, life theories, and everything funny.
Watch Here: Carmen Lagala “Sweet Batch”
64. David Gborie “GBirth of a Nation”
Known for stellar performances on MTV, Comedy Central, and NBC, along with the popular weekly podcast that he co-hosts with fellow rising star Langston Kerman, David Gborie would take the non-traditional route for his latest project in the forms of a new comedy special titled Gbirth of a Nation. Betting solely on himself throughout the process, the project follows David in front of a mass gathering of his loyal fans as he shares his comedic gospel on a variety of topics and current events.
Watch Here: David Gborie “GBirth of a Nation”
63. Mary Beth Barone “Thought Provoking”
Mary Beth Barone’s hilariously dry and almost dead-pan style of comedy, both literally and figuratively, on stage. She sparkles on stage not only because of her archival Versace chainmail dress that was once worn by Kate Moss, but because of her brilliant sense of humor in her debut stand-up special, Thought Provoking.
Watch Here: Mary Beth Barone “Thought Provoking”
62. Jason Cheny “Taiwanese American Human”
In his new groundbreaking and culture-driven comedy special, stand-up comedian Jason Cheny delivers raw, unfiltered stories about life, mental health, the world, and his history.
Watch Here: Jason Cheny “Taiwanese American Human”
61. Seth Meyers “Dad Man Walking”
It is Meyers’ second stand-up comedy special and was filmed at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, directed by Neal Brennan. Late Night fans, take note: There’s a lot more about his home life than his work life or the current political landscape here, so this hour is much more “A Closer Look” inward on how Meyers is managing (or not) to balance it all personally.
Watch Here: Seth Meyers “Dad Man Walking”
60. JR De Guzman “I’m Your Son, Papa”
Whether he’s trying to gain the approval of the man that he comes from or looking to show a complete stranger the time of their life, all he wants to do is have his music and material deliver a performance that you’ll never stop rooting for. Musically gifted and hilarious talented, JR De Guzman puts both skills on full display with his debut comedy special I’m Your Son, Papa.
Watch Here: JR De Guzman “I’m Your Son, Papa”
59. Sierra Katow “Funt”
Comedian Sierra Katow tackles her wild career choice, online haters, and why anyone still has kids in her must-watch breakout special, Funt. Best known for NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” and Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon,” Sierra uses her signature quirky wit to keep you laughing, thinking, and laughing again.
Watch Here: Sierra Katow “Funt”
58. Paul Elia “Detroit Player”
Riding high courtesy of his return to the city that made him one of the fastest-rising stars in comedy, Paul Elia showed the world that the D in comedy is because of the capital of Motown. His debut comedy special, Detroit Player, sees him go straight WWE with the mic and deliver the laughs completely RAW. He may not be Big Meech or Southwest T, but Big P spent his finest hour of 2024 slanging hilarious material and giving his fans a new addiction.
Watch Here: Paul Elia “Detroit Player”
57. Kate Willett “Loopholes”
Her material is often considered rule-breaking, but she may tell you that she’s only finding ways to bend the rules so they can work with laughter. In her latest comedy special, Loopholes, Willett dives deep and dirty into the world of sex and feminism.
Watch Here: Kate Willett “Loopholes”
56. Ian Fidance “Wild, Happy, & Free”
After long anticipation, stand-up comedian Ian Fidance debut comedy special Wild Free, & Happy arrived in 2024, and it did not disappoint.Fidance puts his heart and soul into his stage performances as goes into hilarious detail on various topics including his life and the fame that comes with it.
Watch Here: Ian Fidance “Wild, Happy, & Free”
55. Matteo Lane “The Advice (Part 3)”
His opninon may come at a cost, but the laughs he delivers during his explanation are completely free. Comedian Matteo Lane once more tries to advise his audience on their problems. With over a million views, it seems that the masses find him as the perfect solution.
Watch Here: Matteo Lane “The Advice (Part 3)”
54. Alex Edelman “Just For Us”
After an acclaimed extended run on Broadway, comedian Alex Edelman brings his solo show to premium streaming in an all-new comedy special. Edelman’s covert attendance at a white nationalist meeting shapes this shockingly relevant and utterly hilarious comedy special.
Watch Here: Alex Edelman “Just For Us”
53. Hannah Gadsby “Gender Agenda”
Genderqueer comics from around the world take the stage at London’s Alexandra Palace in this comedy showcase hosted by the award-winning Hannah Gadsby. The performers in this thoughtfully crafted group are all pros, so they’re right at home telling stories through jokes about topics like slurs, failing, being hot and gay, being a masculine lesbian, having fun with gender, rebranding anxiety, testosterone side effects, and there’s even a discussion on a baggage movement that we fully stand behind.
Watch Here: Hannah Gadsby “Gender Agenda”
52. Steve Hofstetter “Me, Myself, & ID”
Newly married, but still the same OG with clever ways to draw people to his comedy. Steve Hofstetter explores the idea of ever-changing identity in this hilarious comedy special Me, Myself, & ID. From trans rights to homophobia to women in the workplace, Hofstetter admits that he didn’t always agree with himself.
Watch Here: Steve Hofstetter “Me, Myself, & ID”
51. Tom Papa “Home Free”
In Home Free, Papa holds nothing back as his kids are finally out of the house and it’s just him, his wife and a bunch of animals ready to return to their glory days. Tom has seen a lot over the years from close calls with a pachinko ball to late night 7-Eleven runs and he’s sharing all his thoughts as he parties on into the next stage of life.
Watch Here: Tom Papa “Home Free”
50. Tony Rock “Rock The World”
The special sees Rock offer a fresh take on post-pandemic life, covering Black culture, gender, and relationships. Tony’s new special is absolutely hilarious from start to finish. It’s one of those memorable specials you’ll have stuck in your head for years to come.
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.
