This years most notable releases expanded our definition of what a comedy special can be.
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There have been some remarkably hilarious comedy specials in 2021, but there have not been many of them.
This year that wouldve been absurd.
Will the list revert to the norm next year?
Will this be an ongoing, permanent shift?
Its a pleasure to laugh at.
10.Fighting Words,Aida Rodriguez
10.
9.BBW (Big Beautiful Weirdo),Nicole Byer
9.
Nicole Byer is not one for subtlety.
Then she stands on the stage in a tall, flowing wig and grape-purple suit.
It is purposely clownlike, like someone took the wordbroadand then blew it up to 72-point font.
What distinguishesBBWis how controlled Byers absurd amplification can be.
8.Vir Das,Ten on Ten
8.
(To date he has onlyreleased five, ranging from ten to 20 minutes long.)
Its also so funny.
Das has a knack for accents, for creating characters he can mock or undermine (especially Americans).
We cant do anything about the dicks, Das says.
Im just talking to see if you see it too.
7.Heres Everything,Ricky Velez
7.
6.Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999, James Acaster
6.
5.#(Hashtag),Josh Johnson
5.
Johnson does COVID material, and he talks about the nightmare of being alone with his own thoughts.
4.Drawn,Tig Notaro
4.
Drawnis an animated special, developed from materialTig Notarohas been working on and recording for the past several years.
Many of the jokes are developed from Notaros life, particularly her childhood and her several recent health crises.
But the stories dont all fit together neatly.
3.Imperfect Messenger,Roy Wood Jr.
3.
In its insight and self-deprecation, its a perfect encapsulation of what makes his comedy work so well.
But he also balances that heaviness with some extremely ridiculous mimicry and accent material.
In combination with his weightier topics, it makes for a beautiful, funny ride.
2.Good Timing With Jo Firestone,Jo Firestone
2.
1.Inside,Bo Burnham
1.
