6 Stand-Up Specials to Watch If You Need a Good Laugh

2020 has been a wild and stressful year, and it has never been more important to protect your mental health while creating moments of happiness through deliberate acts of self-care. No matter what your current self-care routine looks like, it could probably benefit from a few hours of laughter. And what better way to get your recommended dose of giggles than with a stand-up special? Here are six to get you started. 

“Momma, I Made It!” is Yvonne Orji’s first comedy special, but it probably won’t be her last. Orji’s hilariously storytelling pairs nicely with a glass or two of champagne, and will have you nodding along in agreement as she shares her journey to success and her mother’s not-so-subtle reminders that she’s not yet married. The special also adds a super personal touch with a trip back to Orji’s home town in Nigeria. 

When it comes to accents, not many people do a better job than Russell Peters. In this special Peters shares his adventures through Bangkok, his disdain for folks who lie about kids being cute, and bunch of other funny tidbits.

“The Pimp Chronicles: Pt. 1” is a total classic and a must watch for anyone looking to de-stress. Williams would probably recommend pairing with your favorite THC-infused goodies and sitting back to enjoy the ride…and his gorgeous silk press. In under an hour, Williams offers a host of solid life lessons, including the importance of having white friends, the “dangers” of marijuana, along with the truth about the United States government and the war in Iraq.

You can’t discuss Black comedians—or comedians in general—without paying homage to one of the greatest to ever do it. In his 1979 stand-up special, Richard Pryor hilariously breaks down everything from race and the police to his rise to stardom.

They say that our 20s are supposed to be the best years of our lives, but what happens when they just suck? Taylor Tomlinson has all the answers in “Quarter-Life Crisis.” Tomlinson explores self-improvement, relationship goals, and other super funny, super relevant millennial topics we can’t get enough of.

Trevor Noah offers a unique perspective as South African man who was literally born a crime during apartheid. Noah shares anecdotes from his childhood along with his experience with racism at home and aboard since coming to America. And similar to Peters, you can also expect quite a few accents. Note: Russell Peters and several other comedians have actually accused Noah of stealing jokes for his act. Still, Noah is entertaining and will make a great addition to your self-care routine.