Gone are the days when stand-up comedy is restricted to dodgy dive bars, comedians have become literal rock stars, selling-out entire football stadiums.
Even for those of us who won’t pay up to see a live show, our Netflix subscriptions have come in handy. Who doesn’t have their own stand-up comedy these days?
From regional favourites like Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef to international super stars like Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle, stand-up got a major boost in 2017 thanks to the streaming giant’s ‘Netflix is a Joke’ campaign. We’re well into 2021, and that hasn’t stopped.
If you’re snuggled up in bed looking for your next weekend binge, here are eight stand-up comedy shows you definitely must watch.
Kevin Hart: Zero F**ks Given
Not able to perform in his usual sold-out football stadiums due to the pandemic, Kevin Hart set up a stage inside his house, inviting a limited number of people to his newest stand-up show. The 41-year-old reflects on middle age, his new-born child and dealing with teenage kids.
Ramy Youssef: Feelings
Ramy Youssef: Feelings is the Egyptian-American actor’s first HBO stand-up comedy special. The star of hit Hulu series Ramy tackles universal predicaments such as guilt, self-doubt, sex, dating, bad parenting from the perspective of a Muslim millennial.
London Hughes: To Catch A D*ck
If you’re struggling with your dating life, get ready to feel attacked. For her first ever Netflix special, the British comedian talks about the frustration of being single at 31, double standards with female and male comedians, and her long history of dating.
Comedians of The World
The stand-up comedy series features comedians from all around the world including the best of the region. Telfaz11’s Moayed Al-Nefaie and Ibraheem Al Khairallah, Palestine’s Adi Khalefa debut and Jordan’s Rawsan Hallak are all on the roster.
Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah
On her 40th birthday, Tiffany Haddish dropped a spectacular special studded with singing, dancing and reflections on her long road to womanhood.
Mo Amer: The Vagabond
Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer recounts his life as a refugee, islamophobia, and his long path to citizenship.
Dave Chappelle’s Unforgiven
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Chappelle’s latest stand-up special, which he posted on IGTV, exposed the tension between him and the film industry. He asked his fans not to stream episodes of his comedy show, Chappelle’s Show, that was streamed by HBO Max without offering him pay.
Telfaz11 Stand Up
Telfaz11 curated a playlist of short stand-up performances by Saudi comedians such as Moayed Al-Nefaie, Ibraheem Al Khairallah and Fahad Albutairi discussing anecdotes about McDonald’s, Captain Majid and more.
