Netflix was set to release a licensed stand-up comedy special from Nimesh Patel on April 1 titled “Instant Karma.” But, in an April Fools’ Day twist, the streamer will instead produce a brand new hour for the Emmy-nominated comedian, to be taped later this year.
“My special that I self-produced is being postponed. But in bigger and better news, Netflix is producing a brand-new original special that I’ll be filming later this year. More soon,” Patel said in a statement.
Instead, Patel will release some of the material from “Instant Karma” on YouTube. The new special will mark his first full entry for Netflix after Patel previously performed a set as part of the streamer’s “Verified Stand-Up” series. He has several independently released specials under his belt as well.
“Two years ago we were lucky enough to work with Nimesh on ‘Verified Stand-Up,’ and I’m thrilled that we are now expanding that relationship with his first original Netflix comedy special coming soon,” said Robbie Praw, vice president of stand-up and comedy at Netflix. “I’ve personally been following him for a long time. From ‘SNL’ to theaters across the U.S., he’s an incredibly fresh voice and I’m excited to welcome him to the Netflix is a Joke family.”
Born in New Jersey to Indian immigrants, Patel saw his career take off after Chris Rock saw him perform stand-up and hired him to join his writing room for his stint hosting the 2016 Oscars. Patel’s writing credits also include “Saturday Night Live,” “A Little Late with Lilly Singh” and the White House Correspondents Dinner. He was a producer for “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” and has performed comedy on “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night With Seth Meyers.” In 2023, Variety named him one of 10 Comics to Watch.
