Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel (HBO)
Considering his first HBO stand-up special, 2014’s Love at the Store, was already great, it’s amazing that Jerrod Carmichael has only gotten better with each one since. Rothaniel is his best show yet, as the comedian adopts an honest approach whilst discussing his life, his upbringing, and his identity.
Jerrod leaves out none of the more painful parts of coming out at the age of 30 but his skill is still managing to turn it into some incredibly funny and sometimes heartwarming anecdotes. Though Bo Burnham is usually known as a performer, he takes on a directing role in a show that’s a must-see for any Jerrod Carmichael fans.
Chris DiStefano: Speshy Weshy (Netflix)
First appearing on-screen in MTV’s Guy Code in 2012, Chris DiStefano’s rise over the past decade has been impressive and he seems at home playing sold-out comedy shows for Comedy Central and now Netflix. The comedian has boundless energy on stage, constantly highlighting his points with exaggerated gestures and on-point imitations of social media commenters.
DiStefano covers a huge range of subjects but social media and people who’ll find anything to complain about are often the subjects of his rants. He does a great job of pointing out the absurdity to be found there whilst lightly making fun of himself along the way, making for a package that’s thoroughly entertaining throughout.
Earthquake: Legendary (Netflix)
Although he has appeared in a variety of films and television shows going back to the mid-2000s, Earthquake has always been something of a comedian’s comedian. An Earthquake comedy special is almost always a treat to anyone who enjoys the craft of comedy, full of hilarious yet down-to-earth anecdotes.
Legendary is no exception and it goes further to prove that Earthquake is a man who can make any subject funny, whether it’s celebrity funerals or intrusive medical procedures. With so many hilarious comedy shows on Netflix, this is one that doesn’t deserve to slip under the radar.
Ricky Gervais: Supernature (Netflix)
For fans of sardonic British humor, Ricky Gervais is without a doubt one of the best. In his second Netflix special, the comedian falls back on a lot of his favorite subjects from previous shows, including nature and atheism, but as usual, it is his absurdist worldview and trademark exasperated delivery that makes it all work so well.
Ricky also continues to show his talent for dark comedy which also shines through in shows like After Life. Though his sarcastic and abrasive manner might not work for everyone, every joke in Supernature is so well-crafted that it’s hard not to be won over. Also lending his voice to the upcoming Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, 2022 is shaping up to be a good year for Ricky.
