Who else needs a good laugh right about now?

It's times like these that I'm thankful for comedy. Living through 2020 has been no easy feat and while it's nice to be informed, sometimes we all just need to take a break from the news. Enter: Netflix, our usual saviour and weekend companion (now that we're avoiding leaving our house for leisure). They've got a rich selection of stand-up specials that are sure to be a delight—whether as a movie to unwind or a party to be watched together with friends. Check out some of our favourites below! 

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1. Dave Chappelle: Sticks and Stones

Catch Dave Chappelle as he returns to the stage with Sticks and Stones, one of four of his Netflix specials, now available on the streaming site. With a trailer voice-over by Morgan Freeman, Sticks and Stones takes a defiant and provocative approach towards issues that range from gun culture to drugs and celebrity news. 

 

2. Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable

Ellen DeGeneres is arguably one of the most famous comedians in the world. Her iconic TV show, Ellen, has been on for air for 17 seasons. She's won multiple awards, hosted numerous events, and inspired millions with her witty comebacks, endearing dance moves, and own coming-out story. This weekend, catch her Netflix special, entitled Relatable, for a show that's also a bit of an inside look at her life and opinions. She talks — or rather jokes — about her personal growth, her strange dreams, and her advocacy of kindness. 

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3. Whitney Cummings: Can I Touch It?

Can I Touch It? is Whitney Cumming's fourth comedy special, yet it remains one of her most memorable. Humorously manoeuvring her way through feminism, modernism, and technology, Cummings expertly leads her audience through the nuances of modern-day life—while making them laugh. 

4. Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia

Host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, shines in his second Netflix stand-up special, Son of Patricia. Entertaining and multi-talented, the South African native effortlessly jokes about everything from family to snakes to racism and tacos. It's a whirlwind of a show and one that he dedicates to his mother, Patricia Noah. 

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5. Jokoy: In His Elements

Filmed in Manila, Jokoy's entertaining standup special, In His Elements, brings together the best of culture and humour. Join the charismatic comedian as he tours Manila and introduces the local culture to a global audience—bridging the familiar and the funny to create a special we can all be proud of. With jokes, dance performances, and guest stars of other talented Filipino artists, Jokoy manages to level up his usual performance and proves that homegrown talent truly is best. 

6. Ken Jeong: You Complete Me, Ho

A nod to his Vietnamese wife (named Tran Ho), You Complete Me, Ho is Ken Jeong's first Netflix special. In it, the Hangover actor discusses the ups and downs of making it in Hollywood, while still being a licensed doctor and stand-up comedian. In his usual irreverent style, Jeong immerses his audience in a lighthearted world of laughs that makes this show (directed by Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu) both entertaining and relatable. 

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7. Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah

Looking amazing on her 40th birthday in a tight black playsuit, Tiffany Haddish opens up about her experiences as a black woman in this hour-long stand-up special. Using song and dance alongside witty life observations, Haddish successfully creates an atmosphere that's both sexy and hilarious. 

8. Jerry Seinfeld: Jerry Before The Seinfeld

Pop culture icon Jerry Seinfeld returns to the stage in Netflix's Jerry Before The Seinfeld. In it, Seinfeld returns to the club that gave him his start in the 70's, musing on his journey from budding comedian to 90's star in an hour-long special filled with both new material and familiar old jokes.  

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9. Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife

Ali Wong returns to the Netflix stage after Baby Cobra with Hard Knock Wife. Pregnant with her second baby, Wong makes a fantastic comeback onstage with new truths and observations about motherhood and marriage. 

10. Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial

The ebullient Iliza Shlesinger has witty new observations for us in her special, Elder Millennial. Not only does she discuss the ever-changing world of the 21st century, but she also shares her honest but funny opinions on the differences between men and women in today's dating scene. 

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