Stand-up is an art form like no other. While Hollywoodcomediesentertain audiences from the comfort of their homes, sometimes, nothing quite compares to the experience of hearing raw, unfiltered humor live from a comedian on stage. In recent decades, especially, streaming platforms like YouTube have helped usher in a new age of stand-up.
Iconic yet controversial performerslike Dave Chappelle and Louis C.K.may have dominated their century and introduced millions to theunique challenges of life on stage, but it is the new comics who have forever changed the landscape of comedy. We are talking about the new crop of talented artists like Nate Bargatze and Taylor Tomlinson, who have not only crafted their own niche in comedy but also spread their wings beyond the stage and earned diverse credits.
It’s an overall exciting time for fans of comedy because the tide is changing, and the genre is constantly evolving. In this list, we take a look at 10 up-and-coming stand-up comedians who deserve your attention because they offer a newfound accessibility to the art. Their distinct style and perspective mines laughter from the absurdity of everyday life.
10James Acaster
James Acasterfell in love with comedy from a young age. Growing up in England, he was drawn to the thrill of being on stage, weaving intricate narratives to leave his audience both bewildered and delighted. He initially pursued a career in music before transitioning to comedy after his band split up a couple of times.
It wasn’t long before his unique style, offbeat humor, and surreal storytelling garnered attention. Acaster started gaining recognition at Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows, where he broke a record and received five consecutive nominations for the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Comedy Show.
Since then, his growth has been steady. Acaster is known for presenting everyday life through the eyes of fictional characters he makes up during his set and using clever callbacks to connect the start and finish.His four-part Netflix special,Repertoire, highlights his abilityto tell interconnected stories across multiple shows, which is rare in stand-up comedy. Acaster also went on a tour in 2019,Cold Lasagna Hate Myself 1999, winning enormous praise for his contemporary and creative drive.
9Taylor Tomlinson
She was not one to stay silent when observing the world from her perspective.Taylor Tomlinson, who grew up in California, began dipping her toe in comedy at the age of 16, when her father signed the two of them up for a stand-up comedy class. She was 19 when she decided it’s what she wanted to do with her life. Tomlinson’s sharp observational comedy, use of personal anecdotes, and candid discussions about mental health made her a relatable and beloved figure in the stand-up scene.
After appearing on NBC’sLast Comic Standingamong the top-ten finalists as well asThe Tonight Showand various Comedy Central productions, Tomlinson finally landed her own comedy special on Netflix in 2020.Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisissees her in her mid-20s, talking about relationships, life goals, and learning from your mistakes.Her other two Netflix specials,Look At YouandHave It All, put her on the map globally. Taylor Tomlinsoncurrently hoststhe CBS late-night showAfter Midnight.
8Josh Johnson
Josh Johnsonhad been toiling away, honing his craft on the L.A. comedy circuit as a writer for years when a lucky break in the form of a story titledCatfishing the KKKshot him to fame on YouTube. The video currently has over 13 million views.
Johnson has been a favorite of major comedy platforms; he was a writer and performer onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, andhe has been a writer onThe Daily Showsince 2017. His humor often explores themes of identity and relationships in the modern world.
Josh deserves your attention not only because of his laid-back and inclusive style of humor, but also because of his multifaceted contributions to comedy. Afterwinning the title of New York’s Funniest Stand Up at the New York Comedy Festivaland touring with Trever Noah in 2019, Johnson released his first hour-long special, titled# (Hashtag), on Comedy Central. It was met with a positive response, which led the comic to work on another special,Up Here Killing Myself, for Peacock.
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Gentle yet eccentric,Joe Pera’s comedy is likea breath of fresh airin the stand-up world. His “grandfatherly” delivery and penchant for exploring humor in the most mundane things is what makes him one of the funniest stand-up comedians working today.
Pera’s comedy journey began in college itself, where he won the school’s stand-up competition three times. Soon after, he immersed himself in the industry by performing at open mics, making jokes on everyday topics like food and minerals.
As for his career, Pera started off by creating an infomercial for Adult Swim. His approach towards the gig was so impressive that he later went on to develop a television series, titledJoe Pera Talks with You, for the network in 2018. All three seasons of the show got a heartwarming response and generated a dedicated fanbase.His specials,Relaxing Old Footage with Joe PeraandJoe Pera: Slow and Steadyare a delight to watch. Beyond stand-up, Pera has ventured into podcasting too; a recent notable series designed to help listeners fall asleep is calledDrifting Off with Joe Pera.
6Stavros Halkias
A stand-up comedian and podcaster who stands out because of his bold and unfiltered humor,Stavros Halkiaswas born in Maryland to Greek immigrant parents. He emerged from his humble background and onto the stage by gracing audiences with his mix of black comedy and surreal humor.
From both social and political situations, he manages to find tales that would make the crowds laugh. Halkias also gained recognition as a founding co-host of the podcast,Cum Town, which is popular for its spontaneous storytelling.
Halkais is among the more popular comics worth checking out because of his fearless approach to comedy, walking that thin line between cringe and catharsis, as well as his exceptional crowd work.His achievements include the release of his first comedy special,Live at the Lodge Room, on YouTube. It reached over 2 million views in just three weeks. Halkias’ follow-up special,Stavros Halkias: Fat Rascal, debuted on Netflix in 2023.
5Jacquline Novak
There was a time when female comics were considered unfunny, but now, women are thriving in the male-dominated industry and even changing the landscape with their unmatched sense of humor. One hilarious “It Girl” of comedy isJacquline Novak, whoseintellectual and unapologetic humormakes her as compelling as she is funny.
Fromattending the same college improv troupe as John Mulaney to winning awards for her one-woman show, Novak has used her sharp observational skills and self-deprecating edge to deliver jokes.
To elaborate, Novak’sGet On Your Kneeswas first presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2018, following which it was produced by Mike Birbiglia and Natasha Lyonne into an Off-Broadway show. It ran for six weeks, was a smashing hit, and earned Novak a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Solo Performance. The special was also picked and released by Netflix in 2023. Additionally, Novak has written for popular TV shows likeBroad CityandInside Amy Schumer.
4Nate Bargatze
The guy has many names. He is the funniest comedian to hail from Tennessee, and is also often dubbed “The Nicest Man in Stand-Up.” And if you’re wondering if comedians can even be nice and funny at the same time,Nate Bargatze, with his refreshing, clean-cut style of comedy, is the perfect specimen.
Born into a family that loves entertainment, Bargatze’s journey into comedy seemed also predestined. When he moved to Chicago to pursue comedy, he cited the Jerry Seinfeld documentaryComedianas an inspiration for almost everything he does.
Bargatze brought his laid-back Southern charm to the stage and made fun of everyday life in a way that was relatable and endearing. As for his impressive body of work and ability to connect with the audiences,his first hour-long Netflix special,The Tennessee Kid, was released in 2019and was followed byThe Greatest Average Americanin 2021. His latest special,Hello World, made its way to Prime Video in 2023. His deadpan delivery, clean yet hilarious comedic style, and sheer talent, make him relatable.
3Beth Stelling
Writer, actress, and stand-up comedian,Beth Stellinghas appreciated comedy’s ability to reveal deeper truths about the human condition from an early age. Ever since she won a state championship in Humorous Interpretation in high school, she’d established a knack for winning crowds over with her self-effacing tales, drawing humor from her own experiences and tackling topics like family, relationships, and self-discovery.
Stelling’s place in the industry is well-earned and her influence on the comedy genre is not going unnoticed. She performed in the Netflix seriesThe Standups, which is a compilation of half-hour-long stand-up sets featuring various comedians.Stelling has also released two specials,Girl DaddyandIf You Didn’t Want Me Then, which highlight her extraordinary comedic skills. Outside of her stage presence, she has written for popular series such as Judd Apatow’sCrashing.
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2Ayo Edebiri
A name we’re all familiar with thanks to FX’s anxiety-inducing comedy drama,The Bear,Ayo Edebiri’scomedic journey has been a millennial’s journey. Her interest in comedy sparked in eighth grade, which led her to join an improv club; Edebiri was actually studying teaching at NYU before transitioning to dramatic writing. Her comedy often centers around themes of identity and culture and she quickly made a name for herself in stand-up with her insightful humor.
Her inclusion on the list comes from a promise of growth. While she hasrecently focused more on writing and acting, her roots are in stand-up, and it will always remain a significant part of her career. So far,Edebiri has written for acclaimed shows likeBig MouthandWhat We Do in the Shadows. She also starred in and directed an episode ofThe Bear.
As for her voice roles, she is best known for bringing characters fromSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, andInside Out 2to life quite effortlessly.
1Shane Gillis
Controversy followed comicShane Gillis’hiring and firing fromSaturday Night Live, but he soon turned it around and his bold take on comedy warranted our attention. Gillis hails from Pennsylvania and he started performing in local clubs before gaining more recognition for tackling unconventional topics and combining dark comedy with genuinely insightful commentary on societal issues.
Despite past controversies,Gillis’ ability to connect with audiences brought him back toSNLto host an episode in 2024. Overall, Shane Gillis remains an unpredictable star who has a hell of a time doing comedy.
