During these strange, frustrating, stressful and confusing times, it's best for our mental health to take a break and watch a few comedy specials to cheer ourselves up and laugh a little again. So, with no further ado, here are a few stand-up specials to watch on Netflix, HBO, the Internet or whatever.
By the way, I'm making this list with the assumption that you've already seen Eddie Murphy's Delirious. If not, what are you waiting for?
Sebastian Maniscalco: Aren't You Embarrassed?
He's sometimes a bit over the top but as an antisocial individual, I LOVE hearing him voice out all my little daily frustrations!
Jim Jefferies : Bare
His bit on gun control became an instant classic! No topic is taboo with this irreverent and provocative comedian. He also has an excellent special called Freedumb. If you liked Bare, check it out.
Marc Maron : Too Real
I love that guy! Marc Maron is the embodiment of the frustrated voice that screams in your head when you're upset. Loved him in that special, adored him in GLOW and he also hosts a popular podcast called WTF with Marc Maron. Check any of them out and you won't be disappointed.
Mike Birbiglia: Thank God for Jokes
We stumbled on his Netflix special by accident. Before that, we only knew him as that guy in Orange is the New Black! His special was in the "Recommended for you" section of Netflix, so since we had nothing else to watch we decided to give it a try. What a pleasant surprise that was! We laughed out loud! It's only a shame that I could not find a better clip!
Ali Wong: Baby Cobra
Amy Schumer has seriously been upstaged. Ali Wong is my new hero! She has a new special that just came out, Hard Knock Wife, which is very funny, but Baby Cobra is better. That show was a revelation! A must! An absolute must!
Dave Chapelle: Equanimity
Dave Chapelle is a staple of stand-up comedy, a legendary entertainer. He technically retired a few years ago and made a come-back last year. Since he was gone for some time, I was concerned his humor also got old but nope! He's among the funniest people there is! Discussing the state of the world with with so much intelligence, eloquence and humor is an art that very few master.
Ricky Gervais: Humanity
Saving best for last: Ricky Gervais. Provocative, careless and irreverent, he's one of my absolute favorite stand-up comic ever. His shows are not for the light-hearted.
Honorable mention: Pete Holmes' Faces and Sounds
I hated his show Crashing, so I was a bit reluctant to see his special. But it was pretty funny and a pleasant surprise! His bit about the brain is spot on!
Enjoy!