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 New
Def Comedy Jam 25 (Netflix)
25 years after its HBO debut, Netflix will celebrate Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam with Def Comedy Jam 25. The special will tout “the iconic show that made giants out of ferociously funny black comedians like Martin Lawrence, Cedric The Entertainer, Dave Chappelle, Mo’Nique, Mike Epps, Adele Givens, JB Smoove, D.L. Hughley, Tracy Morgan and Sheryl Underwood to name a few.” It will also highlight “the impact and legacy of the long-running comedy series with surprise guests, tributes and performances in a can’t-miss evening of unbelievably funny and raw moments.” Hopefully, one of those tributes will highlight the late Bernie Mac.
Jerry Before Seinfeld (Netflix)
To promote the first of two new comedy specials by Jerry Seinfeld, Netflix released a series of teasers for Jerry Before Seinfeld, which streams on September 19th release. In a press release, Netflix exclaimed Seinfeld will “[return] to The Comic Strip for an intimate stand-up set at the club that helped launch his career. Interspersed with never-before-seen material — including a library of legal pads with every joke he’s written since 1975, childhood videos, and more — Jerry performs the jokes that put him on the comedy map.” (In other words, the Seinfeld star’s first Netflix special will consist entirely of the comic’s old jokes.)
The Opposition with Jordan Klepper (Comedy Central)
In two new teasers for his upcoming Comedy Central series The Opposition, The Daily Show correspondent Jordan Klepper channels conspiracy theorist Alex Jones just as Stephen Colbert mimed Bill O’Reilly. “Attention couch soldiers,” he says. “They’re lying to you. The mainstream establishment has poisoned your mind. They saw we should investigate Trump. I say, ‘Impeach Hillary!’ They say global warming is made by man. I say, ‘Probably why we earn thirty cents more on the dollar.’ They say our children should learn Chinese. I saw, ‘China isn’t real!'” The Opposition premieres Monday, September 25th.
Marc Maron: Too Real (Netflix)
Netflix recently dropped the first trailer for comedian and GLOW star Marc Maron’s new stand-up special, Too Real, which streams Tuesday, September 5th. “Pairing his candid conversational style with personal honesty,” reads an official press release, “modern-day philosopher Maron discusses everything from art and aging to his relationship with his parents and the longevity of the Rolling Stones.” Judging by the first trailer for the special, this description of Too Real doesn’t seem that far off. “I don’t know how to have fun,” he shouts at one point. “Like, I don’t think I would have come to this show.”
Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father (Netflix)
British comedian Jack Whitehall isn’t too well known in the United States, but the former child actor has a huge following in Europe and abroad. Hence why Netflix picked up his comedic documentary series Travels with My Father, in which Whitehall “embarks on the trip of a lifetime with his father, Michael.” According to the official release, “The two set off on a journey across South East Asia to partake in a series of adventures, mishaps and escapades with two very different perspectives.” And judging by the Michael’s willingness to tell his son to “f*ck off” in the official trailer, that’s precisely what will happen on September 22nd.
What’s Live
Let’s Get Awkward with Demetri Martin (Tour)
Comic turned film director Demetri Martin announced via YouTube that his “Let’s Get Awkward” tour would kick off today in Virginia Beach. “Hey, it’s Demetri Martin and I’m announcing a big tour,” he says through an apparently paper-made puppet. “It’s called, ‘Let’s Get Awkward’ and I’m coming to 40 cities. Some of them are up there [at the top of the video] right now. Tickets are available on my website.” Per Martin’s website, the 40-city tour extends into early December, where the final stop listed is Seattle. Whether or not more dates or locations will be added to the list remains to be seen, but you can now purchase tickets.
What’s Gone
R.I.P.: Jerry Lewis
The legendary comedian Jerry Lewis passed away at the age of 91 over the weekend. A statement released by his family indicated he died “peacefully” with them “by his side.” One half of the comedy due Martin and Lewis with crooner Dean Martin, the comic pursued a hugely successful and influential solo career in comedy and film. He also hosted a series of popular telethons and other philanthropic work throughout his lifetime. (Of course, Lewis wasn’t without his share of controversies — especially in recent years.)
R.I.P.: Dick Gregory
The comedy world also lost Dick Gregory, the prominent civil rights activist who initially broke ground as one of the first black comics to perform regularly in all-white clubs across the country during the ’60s. He even included bits about racism and racial segregation into his acts, a move for the time that most other black comics and performers would have avoided. Gregory’s son Christian released a statement saying, “The family appreciates the outpouring of support and love, and respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”
