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
Jerry Before Seinfeld (Netflix)
On Tuesday, September 19th, Jerry Before Seinfeld will stream exclusively on Netflix. The first of two new stand-up specials from the venerated Seinfeld star (not to mention the next season of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee), the new comedy hour feels like less of a concert film and more like a mix of performance and documentary. Or at least that’s what the first trailer Netflix released would have you believe. Whether it proves to be more like Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays and Jerry Seinfeld: Comedian, or the latest standard hour, remains to be seen. Come Tuesday, however, we’ll talk about the special’s finer points in its review.
Dulcé Sloan Debuts On The Daily Show (Comedy Central)
Dulcé Sloan, the Miami-born Atlanta-based comedian who moved out to Los Angeles for her big break, is now living in New York. Why? Because she’s the latest correspondent to join The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and judging by her New York Fashion Week-themed debut last week, she won’t be leaving her new home anytime soon. In conversation with Uproxx, Sloan recalled the ups and downs of her first week on the program, and explained what motivates her. “I definitely want to address the issues that affect people of color, women, the LGBT community and the immigrant community,” she said.
The Daily Show Host Trevor Noah Is Here To Stay (Comedy Central)
Speaking of The Daily Show, Sloan’s new boss, Trevor Noah won’t be leaving New York any time soon either. On Thursday, Comedy Central announced it had renewed the South African comic’s contract through the end of 2022 — meaning he will stay on to host their flagship late night program for at least five more years. “Trevor makes us look smart on a daily basis, and for that we’re grateful,” network president Kent Alterman said in a statement. Noah, for his part, said he was “thrilled to be continuing this amazing journey with both fans of The Daily Show and Comedy Central.”
Weekend Update Is No Longer Taking Freelance Joke Submissions (NBC)
Whether or not you enjoyed the Summer edition of Saturday Night Live‘s long-running fake news program Weekend Update, the storied sketch is making a big change this season. The weekly topical bit has famously accepted freelance joke submissions throughout its run, but according to Splitsider, writers who’ve submitted entries for season 43 have received some bad news: SNL will no longer be accepting jokes from freelancers. “[W]e have decided to end our Freelance Submission Program,” an email explained. “As Update has evolved over the past several years, we are now doing fewer and fewer stand-alone jokes.”
Poop Talk (VOD)
Lauded movies-about-movies and breakout biopic performances weren’t the only items that popped up at the Toronto International Film Festival. Director Aaron Feldman’s documentary Poop Talk — which, if you haven’t already figured out, discusses its titular “taboo topic” at great length — managed to get picked up by Comedy Dynamics in the company’s latest round of expansion. Kumail Nanjiani, Nicole Byer, Adam Carolla, Rob Corddry, Nikki Glaser, Pete Holmes, Jonah Ray, Jordan Rubin, Eric Stonestreet and many other stand-up comics and comedy actors are featured. Poop Talk will hit VOD in early 2018.
What’s Heard
Dana Gould: Mr. Funny Man (Album)
These days, Dana Gould is occupied by the second season of his IFC horror-comedy series, Stan Against Evil and his podcast, The Dana Gould Hour. Yet the former writer and producer for The Simpsons is first and foremost a stand-up comedian, and on Friday, October 6th his latest album, Mr. Funny Man will debut. Like Marc Maron and so many other comics before him who have released new albums or specials this year, presidential politics rears its ugly head in Gould’s latest offering. However, the Seinfeld alum manages to thread a very vine needle through it and the other tumultuous subjects he addresses.
What’s Live
Bob’s Burgers Presents Beef Relief (Benefit Show)
Like the Hurricane Harvey-themed Austin benefit before it, Bob’s Burgers is getting into the goodwill game with Beef Relief, a live benefit show in Los Angeles for the International Rescue Committee. Hosted by Kristen Schaal, the event will take place on Thursday, September 21st at 8pm PT at the Largo at the Coronet. Schaal’s fellow cast members Dan Mintz, Andy Kindler, Will Forte, Ron Funches, Zach Galifianakis, and Laura Silverman will join her throughout the evening’s events. All proceeds from Beef Relief will go to famine relief in Yemen, and refugee resettlement in Los Angeles. Tickets are now available for purchase.
Jen Kirkman: All New Material Girl (Tour)
Comedian and author Jen Kirkman is back out on the road with the All New Material Girl tour this fall. The new show kicks off in Boston on Wednesday, September 20th, then hits New York, Philadelphia and Toronto before heading out west. The final date listed, November 17th, sees Kirkman performing in Columbus, Ohio, but don’t be too surprised if she decides to add additional performances and cities to the tour. “It’s probably going to extend into 2018,” Kirkman told Uproxx in February. “I decided to use a Madonna pun and make it very clear it wasn’t anything you’d already seen on Netflix.”
Dylan Moran: Grumbling Mustard (Tour)
If you’re a fan of British stand-up comedy, British comedy television, or both, then chances are you know who Dylan Moran is. The renowned Irish comedian is most recognizable as the star and creator of the wonderful Channel 4 series Black Books (which is available in full on Netflix), and for his frequent collaborations with Simon Pegg in films like Shaun of the Dead and Run Fatboy Run. On Tuesday, September 19th, the North American leg of Moran’s Grumbling Mustard tour will kick off in New York with a string of five back-to-back shows. From there, it heads south and west. Tickets are now available.
