Nikki Glaser
From sketch shows to podcasts (three, to be exact!) Nikki Glaser's done it all, and yet her no-holds barred style of comedy never gets old. She went from being a standout at Comedy Central Roasts to helming several of her own shows, one of which is coming to E! this May.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: Bangin', Perfect
Where Else to Watch Her: Welcome Home Nikki Glaser? on E! (premieres May 1), FBoy Island, Not Safe With Nikki Glaser, The Standups, The Degenerates
Wanda Sykes
Wanda Sykes launched her comedy career more than three decades ago, but she remains one of Hollywood's hardest working talents. With several specials, films and TV shows under her belt, she'll soon make history by hosting the 2022 Oscars.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: What Happened...Ms. Sykes?, Wanda Sykes: Not Normal, Wanda Sykes: I'ma Be Me, Wanda Sykes: Sick & Tired
Where Else to Watch Her: The 2022 Oscars (March 27), Throw Mama From the Game Show (TBD, upcoming), The Other Two, The Chris Rock Show
Michelle Buteau
You may recognize her as the host of Netflix's The Circle, but Michelle Buteau is much more than that. She's starred in several films (Someone Great! Always Be My Maybe!), published a book that's getting its very own TV adaptation and, of course, performed on too many stand-up stages to count. Her 2021 special Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia won a 2021 Critics' Choice Television Award.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia
Where Else to Watch Her: Survival of the Thickest (TBD, upcoming), Crush (April 29), The Circle, Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, First Wives Club, Bless the Harts
Chelsea Handler
Chelsea Handler took late-night TV by storm in 2007 with Chelsea Lately, and by the time the E! series came to an end in 2014, more than 1,000 episodes had aired. She went on to star in a spinoff, write several bestselling books, embark on a slew of standup comedy tours and lead two shows on Netflix. Just last year, Chelsea's "Vaccinated & Horny" Tour won The Comedy Act of 2021 at the People's Choice Awards.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: Chelsea Handler: Evolution, Uganda Be Kidding Me: Live
Where Else to Watch Her: Life Will Be the Death of Me (upcoming on Peacock) Hello Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea, Chelsea Does, Chelsea
Nicole Byer
A hilarious standout on the beloved MTV series Girl Code, Nicole Byer boasts an impressive television resume—she's guest starred on 30 Rock, The Good Place and Transparent, just to name a few series—and her 2020 book #VERYFAT #VERYBRAVE: The Fat Girl's Guide to Being #Brave and Not a Dejected, Melancholy, Down-in-the-Dumps Weeping Fat Girl is a must-read.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: Nicole Byer: BBW (Big Beautiful Weirdo),
Where Else to Watch Her: Loosely Exactly Nicole
*Check out her podcasts as well!
Yvonne Orji
An Emmy-nominated actress, Yvonne Orji got her start on Insecure. Now, she's developing a series based on her personal life produced by none other than Oprah Winfrey. Drop everything to watch Momma, I Made It!, which is practically guaranteed to make you laugh within a matter of minutes.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: Momma, I Made It!
Where Else to Watch Her: First Gen (upcoming on Disney+), Insecure, Vacation Friends, Spontaneous, A Black Lady Sketch Show
Aparna Nancherla
Aparna Nancherla describes her sense of humor as "dry, existential and absurd, with notes of uncalled-for whimsy," and she's exactly right. The comedian is everywhere—from BoJack Horseman to A Simple Favor—and in 2016, she released her debut album, Just Putting It Out There. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: The Standups
Where Else to Watch Her: Search Party, Fairview, Corporate, BoJack Horseman, Crashing, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell
Sam Jay
Even if you've never seen her stand-up, you've definitely heard Sam Jay's jokes because she's a staff writer on Saturday Night Live—and an extremely funny one at that. After all, she co-wrote one of the show's most well-known, recurring sketches, "Black Jeopardy."
Comedy Specials to Check Out: Sam Jay: 3 in the Morning, Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents
Where Else to Watch Her: The Comedy Lineup, PAUSE with Sam Jay
London Hughes
London Hughes is only 32 and has already made history. She was the first British Black woman to be nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy "Best Show" Award for her Netflix special To Catch a D*ck, which catapulted her to worldwide fame. And we're extremely grateful for that!
Comedy Specials to Check Out: London Hughes: To Catch a D*ck
Where Else to Watch Her: Perfect Strangers (upcoming on HBO Max), Laughter Shock, The Netflix Afterparty
Tiffany Haddish
You know her, you love her, and rightfully so. Tiffany Haddish quickly won over audiences with her breakout role on Girls Trip, and she's continued to deliver hilarious performance after hilarious performance ever since.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: Tiffany Haddish: She Ready! From the Hood to Hollywood, Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah,
Where Else to Watch Her: The Afterparty, Bad Trip, Like a Boss, Nobody's Fool, Night School
Ali Wong
Armed with a distinctive sense of humor and the ability to make a joke out of quite literally anything, Ali Wong is easily one of the greatest comedians of all time. Her talent isn't limited to stand-up either—she's also a brilliant actress and writer.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: Baby Cobra, Hard Knock Wife, Don Wong
Where Else to Watch Her: Always Be My Maybe
Katherine Ryan
If anyone's unafraid to go where no comedian's gone before, it's Katherine Ryan. Watch her first special Glitter Room to hear about everything from school bullies to revenge bodies.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: Katherine Ryan: In Trouble, Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room
Where Else to Watch Her: The Duchess
Leslie Jones
A true talent, Leslie Jones has worn many hats since leaving her much-missed recurring role on Saturday Night Live. But whether she's hosting a game show or live-Tweeting the Olympics, she's always funny.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: Problem Child: Leslie Jones (aka Big Les: Problem Child), Leslie Jones: Time Machine
Where Else to Watch Her: Our Flag Means Death (upcoming on HBO Max), Supermarket Sweep, Coming 2 America, Ghostbusters
Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer has spent the last decade establishing herself as a comedy juggernaut. She's starred in countless films, television shows and comedy specials, and we can only hope that she'll continue to do so for many years to come.
Comedy Specials to Check Out: Amy Schumer: Growing, Amy Schumer: The Leather Special, Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo, Amy Schumer: Mostly Sex Stuff
Where Else to Watch Her: The 2022 Oscars (March 27), Trainwreck, I Feel Pretty, Life & Beth, Amy Schumer Learns to Cook, Expecting Amy, Inside Amy Schumer