The Best Comedy Specials Of 2025 So Far...
....that I've seen
There are a LOT of comedy “specials” these days. First of all, let’s Soapbox about “Special” as I shout down at you from Old Man Mountain.
In olden times, a special was special. It was GEORGE CARLIN on HBO at CARNEGIE HALL. These days, someone’s friend shoots a set at a club in Astoria and throws it up on Youtube as “my new special.”
As a programmer, I try to come in at eye level and talk about the things the Regular People are…and the Regular People are watching Netflix, Hulu, Max and Youtube. However the first three put the special in front of you, whereas on Youtube, you kinda need to know where to look. Take for example, Jim Norton. I didn’t know he was putting something out, and learned it from a listener to Daily Comedy News who may have heard Jim mention it on Rogan.
I haven’t gotten to Norton’s yet as I write this…so for all I know that’s the best special of the year. In the meantime. here’s one man’s list of The Best Comedy Specials of 2025 So Far that he’s actually seen….and remember, it’s just a list. Your list will be different and no more or less valid. It’s just a list.
TOP TIER - The Must-Watches
Conan O'Brien: The Mark Twain Prize - This one wins by a mile. Conan crushes, but so does Mulaney and a bunch of others. I am aware this isn’t a proper stand-up special.
Tom Segura: Bad Thoughts - Segura's "Bad Thoughts" material is brilliantly twisted. He's mastered that art of making you laugh at things you probably shouldn't be laughing at, and the delivery is flawless. I can’t get enough of totally-not-Garth Brooks. This too is not a stand-up special.
Shane Gillis: Tires - Raw, unapologetic, and genuinely funny. Gillis has found his voice and isn't afraid to use it. Reminds me of The Office at its peak. This is a sitcom.
John, so far your list sucks for stand-up. Yes, I agree…but those three are better than any of the stand-up specials.
OK GET TO THE BEST STAND-UP SPECIALS
Justin Willman: Magic Lover (Netflix, June) - Willman's magic-comedy hybrid works better than it should. Not every bit lands, but when it does, it's charming as hell. It’s a magic show but it really isn’t. A great hour of TV.
Bert Kreischer: Lucky ( Netflix, March) - Just funny. Kreischer knows his lane and stays in it. Sometimes that's exactly what you want. Bert doing Bert things.
Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life (HBO, April) - The Ted Lasso star proves he's got comedy chops beyond playing Roy Kent. Solid hour of material and nice company.
Sarah Silverman: Postmortem (Netflix, May) - Not her funniest work, but there's something genuinely touching about this one. Nice company for an hour.
Matteo Lane: Al Dente (Hulu, May) - Maybe not hilarious, but Lane's energy is infectious. Good for when you need something light.
Tim Dillon: I’m Your Mother - Dillon's cynical take on America hits more often than it misses. He's got something to say and says it well.
BEST OF THE REST
Jerrod Carmichael: Don’t Be Gay - Strong opening 20 minutes, then it kind of flames out. But Carmichael's a good storyteller when he's on.
Roy Wood Jr.: Act Your Age (Hulu, January) - Solid craftsmanship. Wood knows how to build a bit and deliver a punchline.
Atsuko Okatsuka: Father - Okatsuka's got a unique perspective that keeps things interesting. Worth your time but not her best.
Ari Shaffir: America’s Sweetheart (Netflix) - It's fine. Shaffir doing Shaffir things and nothing wrong with that. You know what you're getting.
Gabriel Iglesias: Legend of Fluffy - Just too long. Iglesias is funny, but edit this thing down by 20 minutes.
Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life (Netflix, May) - Civilians will love this. Birbiglia's storytelling style isn't for everyone, but he's got his audience, and I’m not really it.
Jessica Kirson: I’m The Man (Hulu) - Another one the civilians will dig. Kirson's energy is relentless in a good way.
BIG NAMES, SKIPPABLE SHOWS
Andrew Schulz: Life (Netflix, March) - Didn't feel the storytelling. Schulz can be funny, but this one missed the mark for me.
Rosebud Baker: The Mother Lode (Netflix) - The gimmick of switching between a set when she’s pregnant and one from after having the baby wore thin.
Chris Distefano: It’s Just Unfortunate (Hulu) - Pure hack work.
George Lopez: Muy Católico (Amazon) - Horrific. Just skip it and watch his old stuff instead.
Liza Treyger: Night Owl (Netflix) - Like the energy, but the material isn't there to support it.
Iliza Shlesinger: Good on Paper Live (Amazon) - Odd one in which she’s delivering material without surfing the crowd reactions, and thus doesn’t work.
Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years (Hulu, March) - Even Burr has off nights. This feels like B-material from a comedy legend.
Steph Tolev: Filth Queen - The title tells you what it is. Too Filthy for me, not my cup of tea.
So there you have it. Conan by a country mile, some solid middle-tier watching, and plenty to skip. Comedy's in a weird place right now - lots of content, but the signal-to-noise ratio is getting rough.
Generally speaking it’s the second half of the year where the best stuff comes…so fingers crossed.
And with that, I have a script to pre-tape the July 4th Daily Comedy News!
