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
W. Kamau Bell navigates Trump’s America with Private School Negro
United Shades of America host W. Kamau Bell may be comfortable in thinking his new Netflix special, Private School Negro, is second to Hannah Gadsby’s (regarding the streamer’s two comedy releases in June), but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth your consideration. In fact, Bell’s followup to Semi-Prominent Negro offers a wonderful mix of sociopolitical commentary and everyday humor, thereby presenting something for everyone. “It’s fine to do jokes about the political moment, or fine not to, because some people need a break from the political moment,” he told Uproxx earlier this week.
What’s New(s)
Queen Latifah’s new travel show will highlight female comedians abroad
According to Variety, singer and comedy actress Queen Latifah is developing a new travel documentary series that will highlight female comedians abroad. “There are so many funny, brilliant women in this industry, and — with plenty of successful male-driven travel series out there — a comedic docu-series about sisterhood and adventure is just the type of uncharted territory we want to plant our flag in,” she said in a statement. “I’m so excited to develop a show that not only elevates and highlights female comedians, but also brings them together for an amazing time that will also be a trip for viewers.”
Ronny Chieng: International Student is coming to Comedy Central’s app
The Daily Show correspondent Ronny Chieng previously riffed on his experience as a law student in International Student, a critically acclaimed series that originally premiered in Australia last year. Born in Malaysia to an ethnically Chinese family, Chieng grew up in the United States and Singapore, then attended the University of Melbourne while cutting his comic teeth in Australia’s bustling comedy scene. Now it’s coming to the U.S., courtesy of Comedy Central’s own streaming app, on Monday, August 13th. All seven episodes of the binge-able comedy show will be available to stream then.
The Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis announces its lineup
Bruce Willis’ Looper co-star (and younger self) Joseph Gordon-Levitt may be serving as the roast master for Comedy Central’s upcoming roast of the action film star, but he won’t be the only person on stage teasing Bruno’s return. The cable channel announced on Thursday that the roast roster will include Nikki Glaser, Lil Rel Howery, Dom Irrera, Edward Norton, Kevin Pollak, Jeff Ross and Willis’ Moonlighting co-star Cybill Shepherd. Others are scheduled to be announced soon. The program will tape Saturday, July 14th at Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, and premiere Sunday, July 29th at 10:00 pm ET/PT.
Jim Gaffigan’s upcoming Noble Ape gets a theatrical release
For his upcoming sixth comedy special, Noble Ape, Jim Gaffigan is skipping the streaming middleman and releasing it on his own accord, in conjunction with Comedy Dynamics. The hour will premiere in select theaters across the country, on the Comedy Dynamics Network (CDN) and many other streaming services on Friday, July 13th. Streaming distribution outlets include iTunes, Amazon, Google, Playstation, X Box, AT&T, Comcast, Charter, Dish and Verizon. “To have Noble Ape screened in theaters is something I never even contemplated,” Gaffigan said in a statement. “What an honor.”
What’s Later
Netflix expands its smaller stand-up offerings with The Comedy Lineup
Back in January, news broke that Netflix was working on a second stand-up comedy series, this time comprising of multiple comics performing 15-minute sets. The names of the 16 comedians who were participating was also revealed, and eight of them — Michelle Buteau, Phil Wang, Taylor Tomlinson, Ian Karmel, Jak Knight, Sam Jay, Sabrina Jalees and Tim Dillon — will appear in The Comedy Lineup‘s first part come Tuesday, July 3rd. Last week, Netflix dropped a short teaser for the upcoming series featuring previews of the eight participant’s sets.
Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee gets a refill
Last week, Netflix released the first trailer for the new season of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee web series, which was part of the massive deal the comedian signed with the streamer. They also announced the season’s impressive guest list, which includes Dave Chappelle, Kate McKinnon, Ellen DeGeneres, Hasan Minhaj, Dana Carvey, Neil Brennan, Tracy Morgan, Brian Regan, Alec Baldwin, Zach Galifinakis, John Mulaney and the late Jerry Lewis. All 12 episodes of Comedians in Cars‘ latest batch drop next Friday, July 6th, during the long July 4th holiday weekend.
