Sit down to rewatch stand-up comedy titles that are still popular on different streaming services

International

1 Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King

The new set of Patriot Act episodes has been postponed. However, the one thing that would make up for the Hasan Minhaj-shaped hole in our hearts is, well, more Hasan Minhaj. This Peabody-winning special stands out on Netflix for being much more than a story of a brown boy being rejected for prom because of his skin colour. It talks about the struggles, both overt and covert of every immigrant family, the internal identity tiff faced by immigrant children, the trials and tribulations of growing up brown in post-9/11 USA, and how Minhaj made it in a world that’s engineered to make people from his background fail. And despite the setting and subject matter, it doesn’t compromise on the laughs and is relatable to the very core.

Available on: Netflix

2. Bo Burnham: what.

If you thought comedy merely involves someone on stage telling jokes, mic in hand, you haven’t seen Bo Burnham’s first Netflix special. Utilising everything from music to poetry to prop comedy to miming, Burnham creates a rich, explicit world which we all possibly carry within us, but never fully explore. The comedy isn’t as much about laughing out loud as it is about shocking viewers, and keeping them guessing as to what outlandish medium Burnham will use for his next bit. Besides his unparalleled stage presence, what stands out are his observations, which might seem mundane on paper, but have unending depth when he explores them on stage.

Available on: Netflix

Indian

1. Rohan Joshi: Wake N Bake

You can see just how much Rohan Joshi has grown as a writer from his AIB days in his first special that began streaming earlier this year. Constantly harping on how life in your 30s is different from your 20s, Joshi makes some truly hilarious (and real) observations touching upon everything, from Goa trips to financial stability to home renovation. The crust of the special is baked to perfection in the second half, where he talks about the problem with giving uninformed opinions, and how his privilege bars him from participating in conversations regarding issues that he himself hasn’t experienced, giving viewers plenty to ponder upon.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

2. Daniel Fernandes: Shadows

It is extremely difficult to maintain a line between funny and insensitive while joking about mental health, and Daniel Fernandes does it with perfection in this masterfully-written special about the last eight years of his life. Over the course of 80 minutes, he lays bare his struggle with depression and anxiety, and breaks down what it is exactly like to deal with mental illness, but with generous dollops of humour. Sprinkled in between is some socio-political commentary, with the show getting deeper and darker as it progresses, before an overwhelming climax. The special is available for free on YouTube and accessible to everyone, with the viewer having the choice of paying whatever they feel it is worth to them.

Available on: YouTube

3. Daniel Sloss: Live Shows

In Sloss’s own words, the first half of his shows is him fulfilling his job of providing the audience with laughter while the other half is more like a TED talk. No one does dark humour like him, and both his specials on Netflix, Dark and Jigsaw, push the boundaries. While Dark centres around his younger sister who suffered from cerebral palsy and the importance of humour in tragedy, Jigsaw talks about the relentless pressure society puts on people to be in relationships, and how we often settle for the wrong person because we are terrified of being alone. Both the specials will make you squirm uncomfortably in your seat, as Sloss pokes fun at subjects traditionally not considered to be funny. Pro tip: Do not watch Jigsaw with your spouse.

Available on: Netflix

4. Aziz Ansari: Right Now

This special deserves to be on your quarantine list because it revolves around sitting down, taking a breath and taking stock of your life. Directed by Spike Jonze (Her), it features stunning shots taken on Kodak 16mm film. Once you get over the visual treat of each frame, you find yourself immersed in the far more serious subjects that Ansari discusses. While the spotlight revolves a bit around his sexual misconduct controversy, the part of the show that hits us is the one about his ageing parents and grandmother. What matters are the meaningful conversations we have and their stories that we must keep alive within ourselves.

Available on: Netflix

3. Vir Das: For India

With every special of his, Vir Das has improved. In this one he takes things a notch higher, celebrating the history of India, along with all the things about growing up, from Parle-G biscuits to Tinkle comics. He also masterfully uses his international audience to break down some myths about India, besides indulging in some playful jibes at those who have misconstrued the country’s history. The maturity in his writing is evident as he navigates some mindless details about the country before approaching one of India’s most trying catastrophes, and seamlessly bringing the show to a wholesome end.

Available on: Netflix

4. Biswa Kalyan Rath: Biswa Mast Aadmi

Over the years, this special has been watched and rewatched several times. Part of the fun comes from the fact that there is no major social or political commentary, and viewers can merely sit back and enjoy Biswa’s quips regarding Uber drivers and cricket. What makes Biswa stand out is his unique delivery and couldn’t-care-less attitude. Moreover, the small-town-boy-goes-to-big-city narrative provides this special with a fresh and unique perspective.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

5. Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis

One of the newest additions to Netflix’s ever-growing comedy catalogue, Taylor may not be as popular as some of the other names on the list, but her hour-long rant about how life in your 20s is a heap of bad decisions is both existential and hilarious. The theme isn’t the only thing that hits home, with Taylor dissecting the consequences of growing up in an overly-religious family with problematic parenting, and being monogamous in an age dominated by the hook-up culture. What is perhaps most astounding about Taylor is her self-awareness, making her brand of self-deprecating humour uniquely refined.

Available on: Netflix

6. Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin

Known for his dark and offensive brand of humour, The Age of Spin is one of Chappelle’s best specials yet, both in terms of its content and score on the offence meter. His take on controversial topics, like what it means to be black in the US, there is an element of relevance. However, the highlight is his layered storytelling, like the four times he met convicted felon and former American football star, O.J. “The Juice” Simpson, which makes the special worth watching.

Available on: Netflix

5. Zakir Khan: Haq Se Single

Zakir is the king of storytelling in Indian comedy, and while both his specials are great, there’s something that makes his first one stand out. A must-watch if you’re single and staying alone during quarantine, Haq Se Single is a celebration of singlehood and loving oneself, and an ode to the stupidity which is omnipresent in early relationships, and the resultant heartache. Zakir’s childlike innocence and nonchalant demeanour make the special feel like a friend telling you stories rather than listening to a comedian on stage.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

6. Nishant Tanwar: Dilli Se Hoon B*@!&#%D

Due to the lockdown, you’re either stuck somewhere missing home, or back home for a rare break with loved ones. Regardless of the situation, Nishant Tanwar’s special is about home and the nostalgia surrounding it, dedicated to all those people who had to leave home due to some reason or the other.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

7. Hannah Gadsby: Nanette

Regarded as one of the greatest comedy specials of all-time, this is a piece that will render you speechless as you ponder over what is put forth by the artiste. Gadsby takes the audience through the challenges of growing up a lesbian in a world where homosexuality was a crime, and talks about how the use of self-deprecating humour is often problematic, putting severe strain on the comedian. She doesn’t mince words, placing the tension that members of the LGBTQ community go through all their lives on straight, white men, and calling out everyone. While the first half has quality comedic writing, the second has one of the most profound monologues ever, where Gadsby lays her soul bare and asks the audience to create a world different from the one she grew up in, and to help preserve her story so that people like her don’t feel alone growing up.

Available on: Netflix

8. Marc Maron: End Times Fun

Marc Maron shows why he is a veteran on the scene, with one of the most tightly written specials, creating a vivid universe of call-backs and internal jokes. Given the current uncertain state of affairs, this is your perfect quarantine companion, since Maron takes apart everything, from religion to politics to climate change with a dash of cynicism, even going on to say that only an extremely terrible occurrence could bring the human race together.

Available on: Netflix

7. Aadar Malik: Stand Up The Musical

While this special may not be as popular as the other ones on the list, it is a hidden gem. Aadar takes musical comedy to a different level, performing songs that are both hilarious and intelligent, and not about a lover crooning over his failed relationship (in the traditional way). Armed with a guitar and a piano, he sings songs about intelligent Tinder conversations, his first pet (not a dog), and how a girl he liked called him “Bhaiya”!

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

8. Anu Menon: Wonder Menon

Possibly one of the most tightly-written titles on the list, Anu effortlessly transitions from her popular VJ alter ego, Lola Kutty to Wonder Menon, a confident, hilarious woman who does it all. While many of the topics she covers seem to have been spoken about at length, including her Malayali quirks, her Gujarati husband and the perils of motherhood, what makes this special worth a watch is her refreshing perspective, and her ability to make the audience align with it too.

Available on: Amazon Prime Video

9. Bill Burr: Paper Tiger

Bill Burr is out to offend you, and he doesn’t hold back. Poking fun at everything, from the job of the First Lady to the overly-pompous outrage culture in the time of political correctness, this is definitely not a watch for the faint-hearted. While you may not agree with everything he says, he makes a compelling point about comedians being taken too seriously, thereby hindering their freedom to make jokes.

Available on: Netflix

10. Richard Pryor: Live in Concert

When life seems down and out, it’s best to turn to the classics, and it’s a miracle that this 1979 special is actually available on Netflix. One of the greatest satirists, Pryor was a comedian who, with his path-breaking humour, paved the way for generations of future comics. Often regarded as the first feature length stand-up special and one of the most influential comedic broadcasts of all-time, Pryor creates life-like characters and gives them equally distinct voices with his passionate physical comedy and manages to find humour in a life filled with pain, covering topics like childhood abuse, heart attacks and racism, firmly establishing himself as one of the finest comics of all-time.

Available on: Netflix