The Best Comedy Specials to Stream This Month (Critic’s Picks)
As the days grow shorter and the chill of winter sets in, the need for laughter becomes even more essential. This season, comedy aficionados have a delightful selection of specials to warm their hearts and tickle their funny bones. Among the standout performances are those from established comedic powerhouses Leslie Jones and Michelle Wolf, alongside rising stars Adam Pally and Frankie Quiñones. Each brings a unique flavor to their craft, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Leslie Jones, renowned for her electrifying presence and sharp wit, showcases her comedic prowess in her latest special, which she has meticulously honed over the past two years. The special opens with a backstage glimpse into her preparation, where she candidly shares her pre-show rituals, including a moment of relaxation with some smoke. This sets the stage for a no-holds-barred performance that reflects her dedication to her art. Similarly, Michelle Wolf, another heavyweight in the comedy scene, emphasizes her commitment to her material in her special. Viewers witness her in her dressing room, pen in hand, making last-minute adjustments to her set, highlighting the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into crafting a memorable performance. Both comedians have made their marks through their writing careers on shows like “Saturday Night Live” and “The Daily Show,” and their specials are a testament to their evolution as stand-up artists.
On the other hand, Adam Pally takes a different approach with “An Intimate Evening With Adam Pally,” which blends comedy with a mockumentary style. Known for his roles in sitcoms such as “Happy Endings” and “The Mindy Project,” Pally’s special explores his attempt to merge music and humor, showcasing his versatility beyond traditional stand-up. Meanwhile, Frankie Quiñones offers a fresh take in “Damn That’s Crazy.” Although this isn’t his first special, it feels like a debut, as he weaves together previously established characters with new material in a more cohesive and heartfelt manner. Quiñones’ ability to connect with his audience through warmth and humor makes his performance resonate, proving that laughter is indeed the best remedy as the festive season approaches. For those looking to escape the cold and embrace the joy of comedy, these specials are not to be missed.
The nights are getting longer, the days are getting colder, and the holidays draw near. Now, more than ever, you need the warming balm of laughter, and we’ve got you covered: two established voices this time out and two you may not know, presented in alphabetical order.
Leslie Jones
and
Michelle Wolf,
of course, are famous for their funny. Both of them worked as writers on their way up (Jones at
Saturday Night Live
before stepping in front of the camera for five seasons and Wolf at
Late Night With
Seth Meyers
and
The Daily Show
).
Both of their recent specials begin backstage by noting just how seriously they take their craft. We see Jones pregaming with some smoke before delivering a no-holds-barred set that she’s been working on for two years, while Wolfe is shown alone in her dressing room pen in hand, still fine tuning her material.
As for
Adam Pally
, you probably recognize him — he’s
that guy!
famous from his near-decade of network sitcom work (three seasons of
Happy Endings
and five of
The Mindy Project
) — but he’s not really a stand-up. That’s actually part of the point of
An Intimate Evening With Adam Pally
, which unfolds as a mockumentary of his attempt at mixing songs and jokes.
And while Frankie Quiñones’
Damn That’s Crazy
isn’t exactly his debut special, it might as well be, since 2021’s HBO half-hour
Superhomies
had its flow broken up by sketches featuring
the characters
that brought him viral fame nearly a decade ago. Some of the material from
Superhomies
turns up in his new hour, but it’s related in a warmer, more inclusive, and more masterful way.
Read more below about
Billboard
‘s favorite comedy specials to stream from the month that was.
