Today I'm kicking off my "Favorites of 2025" lists with ten of my favorite comedy specials from the year.
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I haven't done this highlight in a few years. Not because there hasn't been a lot of great comedy out there (there always is), but I wasn't entirely sure what I would add to the conversation by saying this beloved comic put out another great special. But after the dearth of ignorant ass comedians reveling in cruelty, taking money from a despotic regime, or working to help prop one up in America, I thought now was a great time to give credit to comics who are doing great work, some of which made their first full-length specials this year, or provided unexpected depth when it was most needed.
Josh Johnson: Pick One
While Johnson does have official specials, that's not what's taken him from a respected comic to internet superstar. Instead the new Daily Show correspondent has carved out an incredible niche for himself by delivering a half hour (often far more) of new, clean cut, easy to comprehend, topical material...every week.
If you know anything about stand-up, you know exactly how Herculean that task is.
The tenor of which all has a vibe of info-tainment, that both informs the audience who may not follow items like a civil suit involving Cardi B or the exact details of the Louvre heist, while also keeping the jokes coming.
But outside of the time and talent it takes to two Daily Show's worth of jokes, while working for The Daily Show, Johnson's true gift is his dual threat ability to craft great jokes about every topic while infusing his humanist perspective into every set.
I'm not sure if he'll be able to maintain this pace for forever, but it's an amazing ride right now.
Caleb Hearon: Model Comedian
Hearon ended up on the positive side of controversy this year when he was listed ahead of streamer Mr. Beast on a Rolling Stone list and Monsignor Beast took great offense. But as Hearon is quick to point out his first filmed special: I get it.
It's this exact lack of pretense that makes Hearon's entire set so much fun as he deflects his most public online controversies to highlight the ones that actually hurt his feelings (they're usually fans) as he turns 30 and navigates being a gay man in an increasingly homophobic America.
But beneath the exterior is an immaculately crafted set that incorporates callbacks, crowd work, and commentary into a hilarious package. Can't wait for more.
Available On: HBO Max
Gianmarco Soresi: Thief of Joy
I love seeing my fellow theater kids succeed. Even if we are, to use Soresi's own language: annoying.
Soresi has been something of a social media star this year with many of his political clips cutting through the noise, including his full-throated endorsement of Mamdani in the New York City mayoral election. But the real appeal to Soresi as a standup, is that manic "went to school for theater" energy that makes his observations about his tumultuous family situation feel or his relationship hang-ups feel a stage play character letting the audience in on a little secret.
So whether he's exploring the space as he tells stories about exploring his sexuality at theater camp or talking about the pains of having a "hot dad," Soresi's self-deprecating approach combined with his over-the-top physicality always leaves me bemused and delighted.
Available On: YouTube
Dusty Slay: Wet Heat
After his breakout Netflix specials, Dusty Slay returns to do what he does best. Telling relatable silly stories from his life and unpacking the oddities of his favorite things.
With two celebrated sets under his belt, Slay's latest doesn't stray far from what made him popular in the first place: fun observations from a blue collar life. What's fun here is not only seeing Slay look and feel more confident, as most of his nervous tics have been smartly incorporated into his persona, but also getting bits of meta-commentary incorporated into his act whether he's riffing on the lyrics of some of his favorite country songs or joking about his small bladder.
Proof that blue collar comedy doesn't need to come with troubling undertones or overtures to work.
Available On: Netflix
Marc Maron: Panicked
I might've put this one in for the promo tour alone. With the voluntary end of his podcast and this special coming out, Maron went on a scorched earth promotional tour where he offered concise takedowns of the "Austin comics" and the ignorant blowhards who viewed saying edgy words as more important than human rights or inspired material. A roast so thorough, most comics only responded once they knew Maron's weekly show was over (see Joe Rogan).
And while this special certainly opens with that same firy attitude, in a truly inspired bit taking down fellow comic Theo Von, the real appeal is Maron's achingly awkward misadventures in his own life whether it's running from a fire with far too many cats in tow or his unapologetic love for a Taylor Swift song that got him through the loss of a his partner Lynn Shelton.
The anxious king is as self-deprecating, reflective, and incisive as ever.
Available On: HBO Max
Atsuko Okatsuka: Father
I didn't need Okatsuka to provide a pitch perfect takedown of the comics who performed at Riyadh to put her special on this list...but it did not hurt. It would also be a misnomer for what Okatsuka's comedic persona and appeal truly is. An awkward being trying her best to do to be a functional human.
That's the baseline that lets the audience in for a hilarious ride through her daily misadventures whether it's a deep dive into how you can make and keep friends as an adult, why we should activate our former cheerleaders for sweeping action, and the inspiration for the special's title.
And maybe, just maybe, a discussion about the societally frowned upon things she wants to do with her husband...that have nothing to do with sex. Simply delightful.
Available On: Hulu
Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Special
Lane goes global in his latest special, offering razor sharp sarcasm and impeccable impressions on top of his personal experiences traveling across the world including, as you might've guessed from the title, Italy.
As much fun as Lane's perfectly crafted stories, peppered with pop culture reference points and great voices, are, the real fun is Lane's ability to highlight the strange in everyone/everywhere whether it's European tour guides, the difference in Uber drivers and passengers across the country, or his husband's snoring. And of course, unflattering impressions of his friends (it might as well be a love language).
Available On: Hulu
Sarah Silverman: Post Mortem
For most comics, the loss of two parents within nine days of one another would be a completely justifiable reason to take some time off and avoid the stage. Instead Silverman crafted this special which functions as a memorial and celebration of the funny folks who shaped her.
Silly and far from somber, Silverman delights in sharing her parents biggest joys and greatest gags as they faced down dying and the strangeness it brings out in all of us as we face the mortality in those we love and ourselves.
Because, as Silverman relates, there's still plenty of humor to be found in dying, death and loss.
Available On: Netflix
Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life
At this point, fans and audiences know exactly what to expect from Birbiglia. Funny one man shows that directly address the biggest moments and insecurities in his life. This time around he's tackling fatherhood as he attempts to raise his daughter as best he can, while coming to terms with his own father's mortality.
While I enjoy all of Birbiglia's sets, what I'm always impressed by is his uncanny ability to maintain a singular theme and idea throughout the show, while also dropping unexpectedly dark jokes about child predators, candid commentary on his daughter's dance abilities, or being humorously frank about the distance between himself and his father for most of his life.
It's this fun blend of personal storytelling and observations that makes each Birbiglia set feel like a continuation of the last one.
Available On: Netflix
Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
As the special is quick to note, beloved late night host Conan O'Brien accepted the honor well before Trump's second term began. An honor that many comedians joke throughout the evening may never occur again.
While these specials can usually devolve in a hyperbolic love fests, this celebration of O'Brian's work encapsulates everything that was great about Conan as a host. Whether its opening with the masturbating bear, a perfectly executed combo of absurdity and political comedy from Nikki Glaser and the Interrupter, Adam Sandler's affectionate audience participation bit, and a countless number of comedians calling Conan their hero before ripping him to shreds with O'Brien being more than game.
But the real highlight, in my opinion, is a perfectly executed monologue from O'Brien himself who pulls a rabbit out of his hat. Perfectly executing a takedown of Trump and his fellow bullies in a love letter to Mark Twain and comedy's ability to unite people without mentioning anyone, besides Twain, by name.
Equal parts joyful and defiant in an invigorating way.
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