Summer Watchlist: Unskippable Stand-Up Specials For Summer 2024

Demetri Martin: Demetri Deconstructed (2024):

Genre: Observational comedy, meta-comedy

Platform: Netflix

Demetri Martin is known for his witty observations and dry humor as an artist. With this 2024 special, he has delivered an experience to remember. While most of the special is filmed in black and white, the creativity of the act takes it to a whole new level of specials. The idea is Martin undergoing therapeutic procedures and getting revived in a cinematic version. In so doing, he is able to make fun of the routine before and after delivery, hence producing a thought-provoking and hilarious meta-comedy piece.

Bo Burnham: Inside (2021):

Genre: Musical comedy, satirical comedy
Platform: Netflix

In this 2021 masterpiece by Bo Burnham, stand-up comedy is not the only element. It is a funny musical comedy, reflexive, and a satire on internet culture and the society of a pandemic. Burnham, who is particularly known for his catchy lyrics and comic sarcasm, produces a stimulating and thought-provoking special that will definitely stick in your head for a long time after the last credits have rolled.

Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (2018):

Genre: Stand-up comedy, storytelling, social commentary

Platform: Amazon Prime

This 2018 award-winning special by ‘Hannah Gadsby’ is not only stand-up but is also a difficult and emotional trip that challenges the very existence of comedy. Gadsby turns the comedic tool of humanization into an instrument for making points about trauma, self-discovery, and societal standards. This piece offers a session that is immensely funny and incredibly moving.

Trevor Noah: I Wish You Would (2022):

Genre: Observational comedy, social commentary

Platform: Amazon Prime

Trevor Noah, the anchor of The Daily Show, lends his unique signature brand of humor to the silver screen. Noah covers the latest news and politics as well as other societal issues that he takes on with his usual combination of funny and smart perspectives making for a fun and interesting watching experience.

James Acaster: Repertoire (2018):

Genre: Observational comedy, storytelling

Platform: Amazon Prime

This ultimate comic storytelling series consists of four parts,

This ultimate four-part series was released in the year 2018, which is perhaps the best way of learning comic storytelling. Leading the viewers on a loose and completely fresh trip with his peculiar observational humor, Acaster challenges the established stand-up forms and certainly creates a craving for more.

Now then, get comfortably close to your favorite treats, and enjoy your evening laughing as you go through their spot-on stand-up specials. The various styles of stand-ups are for the summer ranging from Demetri Martin’s wit to the musical satire of Bo Burnham to the emotional storytelling of Hannah Gadsby and the sharp social commentary of Trevor Noah. There is a special out there that is guaranteed to make you laugh and leave a smile on your face.

Disclaimer: The above is a contributor post, the views expressed are those of the contributor and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook Editorial.