Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
In recent years, you could make easy money betting on the Emmy Awards, Outstanding Variety Special, by putting it all on The Kennedy Center Honors to receive a nomination, and for Louis C.K. to not only get a nod, but also win the Emmy for writing if he put out a new stand-up hour.
Well, guess who’s back in 2017? Yes. Them and also everyone else, seemingly.
Sifting through the Emmy ballot to find just five nominees will prove more difficult this year, because there’s so much more to choose from. In all, the 2017 Emmys ballot includes 99 contenders for Outstanding Variety Special — 35 of those Netflix Originals released between June 1, 2016, and May 31, 2017 (36 if you also include Kathleen Madigan, who produced her special independently and then sold it to Netflix). Netflix earned its first Emmy in the comedy/variety realm last year when Patton Oswalt took home the Outstanding Writing in a Variety Special for his Talking For Clapping hour.
Could the streaming giant dominate the nominations as it has dominated the stand-up comedy genre as a whole in 2016-2017?
I’ve reviewed all of Netflix’s official comedy specials already for Decider, so here’s another look at them, in order of their Emmy-worthiness. My favorites and yours may differ from Emmy voters. Because the Emmys — like other old-fashioned traditional awards for the performing arts — tend to favor big names and stalwarts over the up-and-comers. With that in mind, I’ve categorized each of Netflix’s Emmy submissions for Outstanding Variety Special accordingly.
NEITHER FUNNY NOR SPECIAL
35. Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “On the final nights of a world tour, this concert special captures what makes the show soar: gifted musicians, deft dancers and a magnetic star.”
MY TAKE: JT puts on a great show, and the camerawork gives you and up-close and personal experience of that, which might allow for a possible nomination for directing (by the late Jonathan Demme).
WTF DID WE JUST SEE?!?
34. Michael Bolton’s Big, Sexy Valentine’s Day Special
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “MICHAEL BOLTON’S BIG, SEXY VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL serves one purpose: to get people in the mood. In the midst of the special’s absurdist adventures, Bolton performs classic hits and all-new love- making songs. Special guests include: Andy Samberg, Fred Armisen, Maya Rudolph, Michael Sheen and Sarah Silverman.”
MY TAKE: Supremely silly. Definitely daft. Filled with celebrity comedy cameos. But entirely forgettable afterward.
SHOWED THEM THE MONEY. CASHING THOSE SWEET NETFLIX PAYCHECKS.
33. Jeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy: We’ve Been Thinking
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Grammy-nominated comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy bring their distinctive brand of humor to a packed crowd in Minneapolis.”
MY TAKE: Doesn’t take a fifth grader to realize that if you need two comedians to git-r-done what one normally does, then you’re truly cashing in on your popularity for some easy money. That their jokes mine familiar, if also low-hanging, territory doesn’t help. Read my full review.
32. Amy Schumer: The Leather Special
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Comic sensation Amy Schumer riffs on sex, dating and the absurdities of fame in a bold and uncensored stand-up set at Denver’s Bellco Theater.”
MY TAKE: Did haters flood Netflix with one-star reviews in such a concerted effort that they changed the rating system entirely? Yes. Were more than a few of those one-star reviews warranted, though? Yes. Schumer jokes that every comic regrets filming a special in a leather outfit, but recording this set fresh off of a hit movie in Trainwreck and so soon after her Emmy-nominated 2015 HBO special, she’s more likely to regret sloppily rushing this hour to market. Read my full review.
31. The Age Of Spin: Dave Chappelle Live At The Hollywood Palladium
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “At his first LA show in 10 years, Dave Chappelle charges straight into the fire with bits on Bill Cosby, O.J. Simpson and his own brushes with controversy.”
MY TAKE: Netflix released two Chappelle specials simultaneously but only submitted the more recent hour for Emmy voters. Chappelle remains one of the all-time natural greats, but even he acknowledges here that he’s no Kevin Hart, and he didn’t even intend to release this hour publicly anyhow. Only when Netflix backed up the money truck to his house did he let us see this. Read my full review.
NOPE
30. Katherine Ryan: In Trouble
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “At the end of an extensive tour across the UK, Katherine explores timely themes including white privilege, family dynamics, the power of celebrity, ageism, Canadian defense protocol, how to relax and that one part of her body she was surprised to learn her ex-boyfriend was paying such close attention to.”
MY TAKE: She may be quite clever and funny on British panel shows, but presented to an American audience, it feels as though we’ve heard it all before already. Read my full review.
NOT QUITE
29. Russell Peters: Almost Famous
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Russell Peters is back and as fearless as ever in his newest comedy special, ALMOST FAMOUS. In front of a sold out audience in Toronto, Canada, Peters makes a triumphant return focusing on his two favorite subjects: family and race.”
MY TAKE: Tried and true eventually just becomes tired and cliche. Read my full review.
28. Lucas Bros: On Drugs
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Deadpan twin comics Keith and Kenny Lucas take the stage in Brooklyn with a set that touches on drugs, race, Deion Sanders, teachers and O.J. Simpson.”
MY TAKE: The rare duo act who can pull off casual conversation as if they’re just riffing, although they’re also indulging in too much spliffing to be taken more seriously here. Fun, but slight. Read my full review.
27. Reggie Watts: Spatial
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “A one-of-a-kind surrealist experimental comedy adventure. The completely improvised show weaves together sketches, short stories, and dream sequences creating a truly unique experience. Watts waxes poetic about flight, grits, and guns – and takes the audience on a trip fantastic they will not soon forget.”
MY TAKE: I’d ranked Watts higher on my year-end list for 2016 because his unique genius is something to behold. But upon further reflection, some of the improvised riffing (especially the recurring sitcom parody) could have and perhaps should have been left on the cutting room floor. Read my full review.
WE LIKED YOUR EARLIER STUFF BETTER, BUT THIS WAS OKAY, TOO
26. Bill Burr: Walk Your Way Out
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Comedian Bill Burr takes the stage in Nashville and riffs on such topics as overpopulation, fast food, dictators and gorilla sign language.”
MY TAKE: Burr has cemented himself as one of the funniest stand-up comedians of his generation, and loves to dig holes for himself with the audience to demonstrate just how funny he is in winning them back. But he’s also turning into a premature curmudgeon. And recording this set right before the 2016 presidential election, and not going back to either edit out or revise his no-worries position on Trump, makes this already seem outdated by current events. Read my full review.
25. Dana Carvey: Straight White Male, 60
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Comedian Dana Carvey blends pitch-perfect takes on big personalities with so-true-it-hurts stories from his life as a dad of millenials.”
MY TAKE: Dad jokes. But from a very talented dad who can do impersonations. Carvey told me he changed the order of his special in post-production to reflect the rise of Trump mid-election. This special came out Nov. 4, 2016. Read my full review.
24. Norm Macdonald: Hitler’s Dog, Gossip & Trickery
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “In this new stand-up special, Norm Macdonald delivers sly, deadpan observations from an older – and perhaps even wiser – point of view.”
MY TAKE: Listening to Macdonald deconstruct a joke premise is a real treat. Even if he wasn’t entirely happy with how this taping went or turned out. Read my full review.
23. Gabriel Iglesias: I’m Sorry For What I Said When I Was Hungry
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Watch as Fluffy reflects on his life and more before a sold out house in Chicago, IL.”
MY TAKE: Fluffy downsizes from concert film to Netflix, and also downsizes his weight in real life. Read my full review.
22. David Cross: Making America Great Again
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Cross skewers Donald Trump, religious taboos and American swagger in a provocative night of comedy at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas.”
MY TAKE: Cross loves poking fun at your beliefs even more than he does making you laugh at his, and his sincere, sarcastic and sometimes strident 73 minutes here proves timely, if not always laugh-out-loud funny. Read my full review.
21. Joe Rogan: Triggered
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Joe Rogan takes to the stage to unleash his inquisitive and intense comedic style at the historic Fillmore in San Francisco where he explores everything from raising kids and Santa Claus to pot gummies and talking to dolphins.”
MY TAKE: Rogan is self-aware enough to laugh it all off, acknowledging: “Imagine if I had real points.” He does eventually come down from his weed-induced high to make a solid case for how we lack the honesty to express how much we need each other. Of course, millions of his podcast fans will fight me into submission hoping I rank this higher. Read my full review.
20. Cedric The Entertainer: Live from the Ville
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Donning his signature suit and fedora, the dapper comic offers a unique spin on getting old, the presidential election and ‘Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.'”
MY TAKE: In his first solo hour in six years, Cedric remains ever the entertainer, singing and performing with a full marching band, but some of the jokes illustrate how slowly he’s changing with the times. Read my full review.
19. Iliza: Confirmed Kills
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “The stand-up sensation tackles TV’s Shark Tank, what it means to be a woman and how to deal with the lawless party goblin that lives in us all.”
MY TAKE: It’s her third Netflix special and second in two years, so she feels comfortable enough with us to go on a first-name-only basis and get all hashtaggy, but how much longer is she going to be a party goblin? Read my full review.
18. Jo Koy: Live From Seattle
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Jo Koy has finally achieved the comedy homecoming he’s been dreaming of after growing up in Tacoma, WA. Filmed live at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, Jo reminiscences about his angst growing up with a Filipino mom, and jokes about trying to give his teenage son some independence.”
MY TAKE: One of a few specials on this list where comedians decided to reintroduce themselves for their first crack at Netflix’s global audience, Koy tells you he’ll work hard to make you laugh, and then follow up on that promise. Read my full review.
17. Trevor Noah: Afraid of the Dark
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “At the historic Beacon Theater, the comedian ponders the absurdity of colonialism and muses over the challenges a black James Bond might face, while reliving the true measure of a ‘wee little drink’ in Scotland.”
MY TAKE: Noah proves why Comedy Central decided to go for a more global, youthful take on America’s headlines, even if the host of The Daily Show had a more cohesive and relevant hour to present to us just a year and a half ago, on Comedy Central. Read my full review.
16. Jim Jefferies: Freedumb
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Jim Jefferies unleashes his signature, unapologetic take on a variety of topics that range from personal
stories including how he is coping with fatherhood to political and social commentary about religion, freedom and even Bill Cosby.”
MY TAKE: Jefferies gained a much wider audience thanks to his previous special’s stance on gun control going viral, and he takes advantage of it here with his thoughts on rape, religion and Donald Trump. Read my full review.
15. Jen Kirkman: Just Keep Livin’
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: Incisive comic Jen Kirkman gets real about women’s bodies, the value of alone time and an Italian private tour guide who may have been a ghost.
MY TAKE: Kirkman delivered one of the best stand-up specials in 2015 – I’m Gonna Die Alone (And I Feel Fine) – precisely because her humor didn’t rely on the headlines of those days or any specific timeframe. Her follow-up may not rank quite as high, although she probably doesn’t care what I think, anyhow. She’s going to just keep livin’ and jokin’. Read my full review.
14. Cristela Alonzo: Lower Classy
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “The irrepressible Alonzo skewers Latino stereotypes, pricey luxuries and her mother’s tough-love parenting in a night of sly and infectious comedy.”
MY TAKE: Growing up poor in rural Texas as the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, Alonzo balances class, race and the differing perspectives of generations in a way that even a Trump could understand. Well, maybe not them. But you, certainly. Read my full review.
13. Jim Gaffigan: Cinco
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Though he’s mostly concerned about what he’ll eat after the show, Jim Gaffigan finds time to joke about kids, phones, trucks and, of course, food.”
MY TAKE: Gaffigan’s comedy has become as popular as the comfort food he often jokes about – even if he hopes to punch holes through his premises with punchlines to let you know how oddly comfortable we’ve all become with things that aren’t healthy for us. This isn’t his most nutritious or fulfilling hour. But it is his fifth! Read my full review.
12. Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Comedian Sarah Silverman takes the stage in LA and discusses laser hair removal, the stress of getting a new dog, her sisters and much more.”
MY TAKE: Silverman’s mixture of cheeky bits and feminist activism might not earn her a trophy this time around (she won the Emmy for writing her 2013 HBO special, We Are Miracles), but she gives an insightful and enjoyable performance with plenty of premises worth putting a pin in for future pleasure. Read my full review.
PARTIAL CREDIT FOR EXTRA CREDIT
11. Vir Das: Abroad Understanding
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Comedian Vir Das tackles nationalism, globalism, good food and bad politics in two cleverly crosscut performances in New York and New Delhi.”
MY TAKE: Bonus points for Bollywood star Vir Das, showing how his act translates to a packed arena in India, as well as in an intimate comedy club basement in New York City. Read my full review.
VERY FUNNY LOL
10. Michael Che Matters
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “SNL Weekend Update co-anchor and former Daily Show correspondent, Michael Che brings down the house with his laid-back style as he tackles society’s most controversial actions through his hilarious prism at the Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse in Brooklyn, New York.”
MY TAKE: Che wants us to get us honest and real about all the little things that have brought Americans to their boiling points, and his TV work has honed his skills on making sharp observations and social commentary. Even if sometimes he covers well-trodden ground or doesn’t go the extra mile in covering it. Read my full review.
9. Bo Burnham: Make Happy
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Combining his trademark wit and self-deprecating humor with original music, Bo Burnham offers up his unique twist on life in the stand-up special.”
MY TAKE: In his third televised special, Burnham finds himself painfully self-aware about his place in the comedy boom, and mocking the very nature of what passes itself off as entertainment now. That awareness always wins points in my book, and likely does so with Emmy voters, too. Read my full review.
8. Mike Birbiglia: Thank God For Jokes
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “In his all-new stand-up comedy special, Birbiglia tiptoes hilariously through the minefield that is modern-day joke-telling. Join Mike as he learns that the same jokes that elicit laughter have the power to produce tears, rage, and a whole lot of getting yelled at.”
MY TAKE: Birbiglia argues that jokes have to be about something, which is why you may be offended by any single joke by a comedian today. And he’s become such an endearing storyteller that he knows how to make you care not only about jokes in general, but also about his specific jokes and circumstances. Read my full review.
7. Jim Norton: Mouthful of Shame
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “In this unrestricted jaunt through a gleefully filthy mind, comic Jim Norton offers a personal perspective on romance, desire and sexual proclivities.”
MY TAKE: A proper reintroduction to a most improper comedian, at least by mainstream society’s norms. Read my full review.
6. Louis C.K.: 2017
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Louis C.K. muses on religion, eternal love, giving dogs drugs, email fights, teachers and more in a live performance from Washington, D.C.”
MY TAKE: Even better than his past couple of specials which both earned him Emmys in the writing category. Read my full review.
SENTIMENTAL FAVORITE
5. Tracy Morgan: Staying Alive
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “In his first special since his serious car accident, Tracy Morgan cracks jokes about life in a coma, his second marriage and his family’s dark side.”
MY TAKE: Morgan pulls off a complete comeback, reminding you why his 30 Rock caricature was rooted in a lot of truths, while also offering plenty of gratitude and introspection on having escaped death just three years ago. Emmy voters might reward him just for that reason. Read my full review.
SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL
4. Neal Brennan: 3 Mics
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Wicked one-liners and soul-baring confessions converge in this uniquely intimate stand-up special from Chappelle’s Show co-creator Neal Brennan.”
MY TAKE: What might look gimmicky at first turns out to be not only relevant but also revelatory, especially when he’s behind that middle of the three microphones. Read my full review.
3. Colin Quinn: The New York Story
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “The SNL veteran performs his off-Broadway show about the history of New York and the people who shape its personality. Directed by Jerry Seinfeld.”
MY TAKE: My pick for the best comedy special in calendar year 2016. Timely and relevant to everyone, even if you’re not a native New Yorker like he is. They let Emmy voters know Seinfeld directed. Just in case they forgot who Quinn was? Hahahaha. Read my full review.
2. Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Drawing on experience as a Muslim American, comedian Hasan Minhaj of The Daily Show riffs on racism, immigrant parents, prom night horrors and more.”
MY TAKE: Talk about capitalizing on positive momentum. Minhaj’s showmanship, timing and passion shine through and through, which only adds to the industry buzz surrounding this still-young man. Read my full review.
1. Maria Bamford: Old Baby
OFFICIAL EMMY BALLOT DESCRIPTION: “Maria Bamford performs a rapid-fire, playful stand-up set for crowds at park benches, bowling alleys and LA theaters in this roving comedy special.”
MY TAKE: Bamford proves how easily she can connect with audiences of any size, in any location, under any circumstances. If she’s not more popular or widely known, that’s our fault; not hers. Read my full review.
Sean L. McCarthy works the comedy beat for his own digital newspaper, The Comic’s Comic; before that, for actual newspapers. Based in NYC but will travel anywhere for the scoop: Ice cream or news. He also tweets @thecomicscomic and podcasts half-hour episodes with comedians revealing origin stories: The Comic’s Comic Presents Last Things First.
