Welcome to Comedy Now, a weekly column cataloging what comedy fans should know about what’s available in the streaming world. Whether it’s a brand new special, an old classic, or the oddball show that defies categorization, we’ll list as many as we can for your enjoyment right here. Who knows? We may even throw in a few non-streamable bits on occasion, like tour announcements from our favorite comics. You can check out the previous column here.
What’s Now
Alexis de Anda: Mea Culpa (Netflix)
As Netflix continues to expand globally, original programming aimed at international, non-English speaking audiences continues to flourish. Hence Alexis de Anda: Mea Culpa, a new stand-up comedy special from the acclaimed Mexican comic. With past appearances on Comedy Central Presents, Drunk History and at least one televised roast under her belt in the past decade alone, De Anda has quickly risen in the ranks of Spanish-language comedians. In her first Netflix special, she “bares her soul about weddings, exercise, sex, gynecologists, drugs and much more” during what amounts to a solid hour of great comedy.
GOLD Comedy Classes For Girls (Online)
Considering the current climate in stand-up, now is the time to celebrate comedians who just so happen to be women. For despite the publicized and forthcoming revelations and repercussions of powerful male comics like Louis C.K., “it’s still a tough business in a tough world” for female comedians, per GOLD Comedy. Hence why the first-ever comedy school just for girls in Brooklyn has expanded its outreach with a new batch of online classes that launches today. With “live workshops… online space for learning, creation, and collaboration,” founder Lynn Harris’s organization endeavors to prove “girls are a riot.”
What’s New(s)
Louis C.K. Suffers Fallout Following Allegations (HBO, FX and Netflix)
Speaking of Louis C.K., the response to Thursday’s New York Times exposé alleging years of sexual misconduct has been swift. Ahead of the report’s publication, the New York premiere of his new film I Love You, Daddy was canceled. After its publication, however, the distributor dropped the film altogether as its stars pulled out of promoting it. HBO severed ties with the comedian and removed all of his content from its streaming service. FX also issued a statement saying they were “very troubled” by the allegations, adding “the matter is currently under review.” As for Netflix, the streaming service has canceled his second special.
Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady Gets A Trailer (HBO)
On the heels of announcing a December 2nd premiere date, HBO dropped the first trailer for The Daily Show correspondent Michelle Wolf’s first special, Nice Lady. A former writer for Late Night with Seth Meyers, Wolf “takes on a wide range of topics, including her surprising thoughts on feminism, the environment and how nature is sexist, the mystery surrounding public bathrooms, why Hillary Clinton could not be a ‘nice lady,’ how it’s easier to conceive a baby than to make a croissant and more of life’s everyday absurdities.”
Russell Simmons’ All Def Comedy Gets A Premiere Date And A Trailer (HBO)
While the Def Comedy Jam 25 special is solely a Netflix property, Russell Simmons’s original Def Comedy series got its start on HBO. That’s where, throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the program showcased some of today’s best, brightest, and most original black comedians in their earliest routines. Hence why the show’s return to HBO on Friday, December 1st at 10pm ET is such a big deal. Along with the new premiere date, the new Russell Simmons’ All Def Comedy series also got a new trailer featuring DeRay Davis, Alex Babbitt, D’Lai, Jess Hilarious and others.
Brian Regan: Nunchucks and Flamethrowers Gets A Trailer (Netflix)
As a part of a new two-special deal with Netflix, comedian Brian Regan’s new concert film, Nunchucks and Flamethrowers will debut Tuesday, November 21st on the streaming giant’s platform. The first trailer for the new special is now available for fans eager to watch the fan-favorite comic reflect on his relationship with underwear elastic, rant about city council meetings and those who cheer at high school graduations, and a host of other ridiculous subjects. Per the trailer, Regan will even dive into a few serious matters, though unlike many of his contemporaries, his treatment of these issues will be more silly than not.
What’s Later
DeRay Davis: How To Act Black (Netflix)
Speaking of DeRay Davis, the upcoming All Def Comedy showcase star has his own Netflix comedy special due out next Tuesday, November 14th. Titled How To Act Black, the 21 Jump Street and The Boondocks‘s actor “nails the finer points of living, dating and handling show business as a black man living in America” during a fantastic set that was filmed at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta.
There’s… Johnny! (Hulu)
With the cessation of Seeso, many original comedy programs were left to fend for themselves. Some have found distribution elsewhere, while others have not been so lucky. One of the lucky ones is the Paul Reiser-produced There’s… Johnny!, a fictionalized account follows a “coming-of-age story” about a Nebraska kid who dreams of working with the titular The Tonight Show host while getting “caught up in the glamorous, fast lane of Hollywood.” Hulu managed to score the streaming rights to the series, which stars Tony Danza, Jane Levy and Ian Nelson. The whole season premieres Thursday, November 16th.
