By: Tyson Paul
More than ever before, comedians have changed how people thought, shocked, and laughed over the past 365 days.
With 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.
Whether you were having great days or suffering a lousy month, these comedians gave us moments that immediately had us laughing at life.
Today, our countdown spotlights from number twenty-four down to number one.
24. Colin Quinn “Our Time Is Up”
Things may be ending, but if you ask him, he’s still only getting started with his greatness. One of the greatest comedians of the modern era is back with a comedy special that will have fans wondering if he’ll ever stop being the GOAT?
Watch Here: Colin Quinn “Our Time Is Up”
23. Dave Attell “Hot Cross Buns”
Attell is like THE club comic, you have to be there to see him work his magic with the crowd. This is Dave’s first special in the new era of streaming/Netflix/YouTube. Seeing a consummate pro of 30+ years burst into this new world is absolutely beautiful for all of us who have been following him since Insomniac.
Watch Here: Dave Attell “Hot Cross Buns”
22. Jack Whitehall “Settle Down”
Filmed over three nights last summer at London’s O2 Arena, Whitehall’s third solo Netflix special and first in four years finds him joking about being the beta male in his relationship and how that reflects his decisions and reactions when they decide to get a dog and have a child together.
Watch Here: Jack Whitehall “Settle Down”
21. Adam Sandler “Love You”
Adam Sandler hits the stage for a thrillingly unpredictable comedy special featuring songs jokes, party-crashing dogs, and plenty of love. There were a lot of fart jokes. A lot of poop jokes. And a potentially lethal dose of Rob Schneider. As Sandler enters his late 50s, all of his crimes have been miraculously washed away. He has flipped his fortunes, crossing over into bona fide Hollywood royalty status.
Watch Here: Adam Sandler “Love You”
20. Courtney Pauroso “Vanessa 5000”
Forget your preconceptions. Maybe crack a beer or pack a bowl. If either is your thing, give it more than a few minutes’ chance. Surrender to the absurdity, the payoffs are big and plentiful along the way. Incredible. What a masterpiece of work. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not but wow, Courtney is a talent.
Watch Here: Courtney Pauroso “Vanessa 5000”
19. Hasan Minhaj “Off With His Head”
Hasan Minhaj delivers an unapologetic stand-up set about midlife identity struggles, race relations, political divides — and that fact-checking scandal. This is where Minhaj shines: under a spotlight, telling personal jokes to a relatable audience.
Watch Here: Hasan Minhaj “Off With His Head”
18. Pete Davidson “Turbo Fonzarelli”
Pete’s delivery was really confident and seamless, and his timing was good. What Davidson has, and why people are drawn to him, is his laid back charm. His shrugging delivery and natural comedic timing make him an easy watch, even if what he’s saying isn’t often novel or well-crafted.
Watch Here: Pete Davidson “Turbo Fonzarelli”
17. Taylor Tomlinson ”Have It All”
Taylor Tomlinson talks about having your dream job, finding your perfect partner, dealing with anxiety and insomnia — all while asking the age-old question, “Can you really have it all?”
Watch Here: Taylor Tomlinson ”Have It All”
16. Neal Brennan “Crazy Good”
Neal Brennan is feeling pretty great and he’s ready to let you know why. True to form, Neal brings his fresh point of view to hilarious topics ranging from crypto and millionaire mindsets, to his ever-evolving views on mental health and relationships.
Watch Here: Neal Brennan “Crazy Good”
15. Ramy Youssef “More Feelings”
Ramy Youssef reflects on issues big and small–from global events to his childhood book report to finding unity in our divided world.
Watch Here: Ramy Youssef “More Feelings”
14. Ali Wong “Single Lady”
Ali Wong is back (on the market) and raunchier than ever. After a whirlwind couple of years, Ali Wong returns to the stage to dish on the highs, lows and surprises of dating post-divorce.
Watch Here: Ali Wong “Single Lady”
13. Dusty Slay “Workin’ Man”
Comedian Dusty Slay serves up his distinctive homespun humor on shirt-tucking, hipster coffee shops, and country music mysteries in this stand-up special.
Watch Here: Dusty Slay “Workin’ Man”
12. Jacqueline Novak “Get on Your Knees”
The comic delivers a meditation on sex, coming-of-age, and a certain body part from The Town Hall Theater in New York City. Jacqueline gave George Carlin energy and wasn’t afraid to put her nerdy intellectual side on the show.
Watch Here: Jacqueline Novak “Get on Your Knees”
11. Steve Trevino “A Simple Man”
From the secret to his successful marriage to his dad’s spaghetti sandwiches, comedian Steve Treviño riffs on family life in this upbeat stand-up special. Nothing in this routine was hysterically funny, but the entirety of it was very humorous. We could see a sitcom or series of some sort based on his rendering of his life.
Watch Here: Steve Trevino “A Simple Man”
10. Nikki Glaser “Someday You’ll Die”
Nikki Glaser dives into a wide range of topics including why she doesn’t want kids, the harsh realities of aging, her sexual fantasies, and plans for her own death all in her hilarious, unapologetic, and brutally honest style.
Watch Here: Nikki Glaser “Someday You’ll Die”
9. Akaash Singh “Gaslit”
In his latest comedy special Gaslit, Singh entertains his fans discussing a variety of topics including Indian Weddings, Dating Fights vs. Married Fights, Gaslighting, Dad Bods, and much more.
Watch Here: Akaash Singh “Gaslit”
8. Emily Catalano “Unspecial”
In her debut comedy special, Emily Catalano takes an unhurried look at faith, adolescence, and simply existing in a body. Filmed in the cozy backroom of a craft brewery in Minneapolis, the setting perfectly sets the tone: unpretentious, crafted with care, and full of subtle layers that reveal themselves over time.
Watch Here: Emily Catalano “Unspecial”
7. Brian Simpson “Live From The Mothership”
From embracing his inner hater to the rigid rules of masculinity, the comic Brian Simpson goes full throttle during his stand-up routine live from The Comedy Mothership, in Austin, Texas. Simpson clearly wants to push your buttons and there’s more than a small chance that in doing so, you might re-evaluate your own belief systems.
Watch Here: Brian Simpson “Live From The Mothership”
6. Deon Cole “Okay, Mister”
From the telltale signs of aging to bedroom mishaps and dating deal-breakers, Deon Cole spins comedy gold in this playfully candid special. While he’s undeniably a funny guy, his material in this special felt somber as he still grieving from loss and moving forward. All in all, it some of the greatest work best when they’re at their most painful.
Watch Here: Deon Cole “Okay, Mister”
5. Ali Siddiq “Domino Effect Part 3: First Day of School”
The saga hilariously continues, it’s starting to become routine that you will see something special from Ali Siddiq on everyone’s list at year’s end, and for good reason. Continuing his Domino Effect series, Siddiq adds another iconic chapter to the series as he shares stories from his first few years of incarceration for drug trafficking. At 5.5 million views along with already releasing a four chapter to the series, Ali could arguably be in a class all of his own even with Dave Chappelle still around.
Watch Here: Ali Siddiq “Domino Effect Part 3: First Day of School”
4. Sam Morill “You’ve Changed”
Sam Morril showcases his unique laid-back style, effortlessly riffing on his experiences about the worst person he’s ever dated, the challenges of ageing, and his take on various topics from cable news to the dangers of social media. Even when he’s borderline offending his audience, he has a witty and endearing knack for self deprecation that ends up being really funny at times as well.
Watch Here: Sam Morill “You’ve Changed“
3. Rachel Bloom “Death, Let Me Do My Special”
It’s a brilliant, funny and poignant commentary on loss, grief and life, and for many people who experienced loss, cathartic. Comedian and actor Rachel Bloom muses on birth, death, cosmic uncertainty and pungent trees in this whimsical and reflective musical comedy special. Artists create art and Rachel Bloom is an artist. Crazy Ex Girlfriend was brilliant art, and this special is profound and amazing. Is it for everyone? Certainly not. Is it fantastic, brilliant art? Yes.
Watch Here: Rachel Bloom “Death, Let Me Do My Special”
2. Hannah Berner “We Ride At Dawn”
Bet you didn’t that coming, but we’re definitely glad that you did. Proving to be more than a podcaster and social media celebrity, Hannah Berner pulls off arguably the best stand-up set of 2024 with her Netflix special We Ride At Dawn. With Non-stop gas and no brakes in sight, Berner was more in her bag than ever before, as every joke was followed by loud laughs. Is she the new Matt Rife or the evolution of Whitney Cummings? No matter the answer to that question, expect more record-breaking deals and comedy specials from Berner after this iconic performance.
Watch Here: Hannah Berner “We Ride At Dawn”
1. Langston Kerman “Bad Poetry”
Call 911 and report a murder because Langston Kerman walk into a dive bar and hilariously bodied 2024. With John Mulaney as director/corrupt, Kerman talks parenting a top-tier baby, teaching mean teens and managing his mother-in-law’s dating apps in this hilarious special. The special itself is incredibly joyful and expertly balances Kerman’s level of near-whimsy with the power of his comedic punches. A moment that will be talked about for years as THE MOMENT we witnessed the birth of another comedic superstardom, Langston put it all together this year highlighted by the way he made the best laughs of the past 365 days look completely effortless. Many critics are already making Dave Chappelle comparisons with Kerman, if that’s the case, you can’t help but consider Bad Poetry as his version of Killin’em Softly.
Watch Here: Langston Kerman “Bad Poetry”
Did your favorite comedy special make our list? Voice your opinion in the comment section below, and let us know your thoughts on the comedy world in 2024.
