What would suicide by bat look like? Only a comedian would think long and hard on the subject. In “From Bleak to Dark” (Max), Marc Maron imagines it as pitiful, anguished and riotously comic. This act-out, coming at the end of a special haunted by death, operates like the scene in Hunter S. Thompson’s book on the Hells Angels in which Thompson, after spending months hanging out with the biker gang, describes getting beat up by them. It’s a perverse catharsis.
Best Online Roaster
The arch-elitist Dan Rosen has created his own critical beat on Instagram, doing stylish and ruthless insult comedy on tasteless interior design, hack décor and shallow architecture. Projecting his face over photos of celebrity homes, he displays an acute eye for overdone trends (anyone with a green kitchen should be ashamed) and a knack for the perfect put-down (“the granny couch”). He compares Chris Brown’s floors to a bowling ball, then says: “I would say it’s the worst crime he ever committed” before a pause.
Best Canadian Newcomer
“I moved to America this year,” Sophie Buddle said at the start of her “Tonight Show” set in April. “I wanted to see it before it ends.” Then she sucked in her bottom lip and giggled. This chirpy, comic maintains a steady nervous chuckle while joking about masturbation and annoying Los Angeles types. But she knows what she’s doing, finding fresh spins on familiar subjects. She is part of a long line of cheerfully raunchy young comics, and her sneaky jokes are full of sharp elbows. When talking about the United States, there’s pity in her voice that feels like revenge for so many years of American comic condescension toward our northern neighbor.
Best Take on Crowd Work
In a short Netflix set commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Improv club, Deon Cole lays into how comics repeatedly ask audiences to do things like “give it up for the ladies.” Looking besieged, he says, “Got me wasting my claps.”
Best Response to a Beeping Cellphone
Upon hearing that familiar sound during his recent hour, Joe Pera responded in a deadpan, “You just ruined my life,” then kept it moving.
Best Impression
That the John Mulaney special “Baby J” (on Netflix) manages to live up to expectations is a feat, considering he addresses his much-publicized stint in rehab and, less so, his equally talked-about divorce. His re-creation of his star-studded intervention shows off a multitude of niche accents. And yet, he gets the biggest laughs going broad and traditional with his Al Pacino take. One distinctive voice nails another.
It was a successful year for comedy, with the release of several highly-anticipated specials and tours that delighted audiences of all ages across the world.2023 has been no different, as some of the world’s best-known comedians have announced their upcoming projects.
Leading the charge in 2023 is Jim Gaffigan, who has established himself as one of the funniest stand-up comics active today. His Netflix special “Quality Time,” will be the first of the year, and will feature an hour-long set full of his trademark self-deprecating humor and observational comedy.
Fellow Netflix comedian Beth Stelling also returns to the stage with her latest special, “Exceptional Experiences.” As one of the most sought-after comedy acts of the year, fans can expect a unique blend of storytelling and social commentary from Stelling’s special.
Fans of sketch comedy will be pleased to hear that the renowned improvisational duo of Eric Idle and John Cleese will be reuniting for their first joint production, “An Evening with Idle and Cleese.” This experimental show will feature classic sketches from the pair’s Monty Python days, as well as modern takes on popular sketches.
Finally, the comedy trio of Amy Schumer, Broad City’s Ilana Glazer, and Inside Amy Schumer’s Nikki Glaser have announced their latest collaboration: “Women of Comedy.” This special promises to provide audiences with an unfiltered look at the world of female comedians, with plenty of roasts and jokes to go around.
2023 is shaping up to be a tremendous year for comedy, with some of the biggest names in the industry leading the charge. Fans all across the globe are looking forward to a fantastic night of laughter and entertainment, brought to them by the best of the comedy world.
