We Watched Everything We Could At Netflix Is A Joke. This Is What Stood Out

Considering nan magnitude of drama that was dropped connected L.A. past week for nan 3rd Netflix is simply a Joke Festival, nan thought that anyone tin spot it each is laughable. Yet of course, for illustration fools, erstwhile again we tried. Between large outdoor shows, theaters and friendly nine gigs, nan 7 time smorgasboard of stand-up, improv, assortment shows, marathons and much was a chaotic thrust we won’t soon forget. Here is our database of nan funniest shows we saw astatine Netflix is simply a Joke 2026.

Monday, May 4

Ron White, from left, Jim Jefferies, Sam Jay, Shane Gillis, James McCann and Dan Soder astatine nan Hollywood Bowl.

(Adam Rose / Netflix)

Shane Gillis and Friends
Hollywood Bowl
As a oversea of drama fans filled up nan Hollywood Bowl to footwear disconnected nan first outdoor arena astatine Netflix is simply a Joke, Shane Gillis brought nan power of a season-opening shot crippled to L.A.’s biggest bandshell. Commanding a coagulated roster of seasoned comics including James McCann, Sam Jay, Ron White, Dan Soder, and Jim Jeffries, Gillis took connected nan domiciled of a grizzled and playfully perverse shot coach hosting nan nighttime and telling funny stories astir his days arsenic a very mean precocious schoolhouse shot subordinate connected crappy all-white teams earlier he blew up successful comedy.

“Whoever nan location squad was successful precocious schoolhouse shot you sewage to prime nan intro opus that you would tally onto nan section to to get hyped. So erstwhile maine and nan achromatic guys were nan location team, our euphony would beryllium for illustration ‘Cut my life into pieces…’ [singing Papa Roach’s “Last Resort”] thing scary, thing suicidal. That’s arsenic intimidating arsenic achromatic dudes get…sad. Those are nan astir vulnerable whites. If this crippled doesn’t spell good I mightiness sprout this full point up connected Monday,” Gillis joked.

Fortunately it did spell beautiful good passim nan nighttime arsenic Gillis brought up each comic that utilized their different styles to people plentifulness of laughs passim nan night. (Nate Jackson)

Mike Ward
Dynasty Typewriter

Comedy transcends lines and borders, truthful erstwhile we heard that comedian Mike Ward hopped his ain separator successful Canada to beryllium astatine Dynasty Typewriter, we were each in. Rachel Bonnetta opened nan show pinch a operation of playful assurance and high-energy hilarity, perfectly warming up nan crowd earlier introducing nan main attraction to fans. Record breaker and a maestro of storytelling successful French, he didn’t disappoint pinch his all-English crossover, covering everything from his legendary Supreme Court of Canada lawsuit to teenage lust, making love aft marriage, attempting generosity, and “trunk love.” Ward mentioned jokes translating from French to English and really they’d hit, but he was decidedly successful his element, and it each translated to cleanable laughs. (Ali Lerman)

Tuesday, May 5

Theo Von and Mike Tyson grounds a unrecorded podcast astatine nan Wiltern.

(Matthew Salacuse/Netflix )

Theo Von: ‘This Past Weekend’ Live- Guest: Mike Tyson- The Wiltern

Stand-up mightiness ain nan Netflix Is a Joke Festival, but nan podcasts they delivered are perfectly worthy talking about. For Theo Von’s first-ever unrecorded taping of his deed podcast “This Past Weekend,” he landed nan eventual guest: Iron Mike Tyson. The sold-out crowd astatine nan Wiltern erupted nan 2nd Von deed nan stage, but that was thing compared to nan deafening roar of screams and “We emotion you, Mike!” erstwhile Tyson walked out.

Tyson admitted he wasn’t acquainted pinch Von, but thankfully stated he did so for illustration him, because that would person really messed up nan remainder of nan episode! The 2 stock an inquisitive and child-like energy, turning dense conversations astir increasing up broke, nan solitude of incarceration, and hopeless cries for attention, into thing remarkably light. Tyson’s susceptible broadside was besides connected show while speaking astir his girl dying tragically, God’s scheme for him, and speaking astir his mentor Cus D’Amato, which rather virtually brought him to tears. Can a show beryllium heartfelt and insane astatine nan aforesaid time? Definitely willing to spot really they edit a fewer things, but erstwhile this knockout section comes out, you’re genuinely successful for a beautiful dainty packed pinch plentifulness of chaotic moments. (A.L.)

Seinfeld featuring Leanne Morgan
The Greek Theatre

Blending nan big-city joke pinch hilarious Southern comfortableness mightiness sound for illustration an overseas pairing erstwhile talking astir comedy, but thing astir nan combo of Jerry Seinfeld and Leanne Morgan conscionable works. Yes, we emotion a bully rant astir nan terrors of exertion from a drama fable for illustration Seinfeld, who sewage celebrated agelong earlier nan advent of artificial intelligence and smartphones. But his crotchety drama connected a acold nighttime astatine nan Greek Theatre was complimented by Morgan’s expertise to adhd warmth and sweetness to her smack talk astir being a mini municipality cheermom successful nan world of competitory cheerleading which she described arsenic “the Olympics meets Honey Boo Boo.”

Most large drama shows astatine nan fest had a strict nary cellphones policy, Seinfeld was contented pinch conscionable reminding america that our friends are each sick of our stupid cellphone videos. “They don’t attraction what you’re doing, your life, your experiences, immoderate much than you attraction astir what your friends are doing…everyone is sick of everything. That’s wherever we’re starting tonight.”

Both are recognized astir nan world for being connected celebrated TV shows base their names. One prima seemed genuinely enthralled that group recognized her and clapped erstwhile she came out, nan different 1 seemed for illustration he couldn’t get retired of nan show accelerated capable and get backmost to bed. But nan operation of some energies of these authentic polar opposites worked good together to support nan crowd laughing. (N.J.)

Wednesday, May 6

David Spade, Dana Carvey and Chris Rock astatine nan Orpheum Theatre.

(Kit Karzen / Netflix)

‘Fly connected nan Wall’ podcast pinch Dana Carvey, David Spade and Chris Rock
The Orpheum Theatre

The champion measurement to get astonishing stories retired of a celebrated comedian is to beryllium 1 yourself. It’s nan logic a podcast for illustration “Fly connected nan Wall” pinch David Spade and Dana Carvey win astatine squeezing nan champion retired of their guests who are often connected somebody’s Mt. Rushmore of Comedy. For nan festival, nan 2 “Saturday Night Live” alumni brought retired nan large guns by inviting their buddy Chris Rock downtown — ”way downtown” by his estimation — astatine 6 p.m. past Wednesday to nan Orpheum for a unrecorded taping of nan podcast. The 3 stars began by diving ever-so-casually into stories astir their interactions pinch Michael Jackson, Tupac, Kanye and Dave Chappelle. Rock besides sewage to expound connected nan classical play wherever he released immoderate of nan champion drama specials ever made.

He talked astir his groundbreaking hr “Bring nan Pain” being nan consequence of doing arsenic galore shows arsenic imaginable to salary for a divorcement and arsenic a result, “I sewage measurement better” he told Carvey and Spade. “Then I went connected a Rocky tally wherever he was knocking motherf— out.” He took that momentum into his adjacent classical special, 1999’s “Bigger & Blacker,” that helped reshape nan look of stand-up. “There’s a clip successful your life erstwhile you’re conscionable a alloy and I was successful that constituent of my life,” Rock said. (N.J.)

Nate Jackson astatine Laugh Factory Hollywood

It’s a accomplishment for a comedian to beryllium capable to beryllium successful nan pouch of a crowd’s power and support a room afloat of group laughing and connected their toes astatine nan aforesaid time. Try doing it for six shows backmost to back. While it’s not nan astir consecutive sold-out shows he’s ever done astatine a venue (last twelvemonth he delivered 9 successful a statement astatine Zanies successful Nashville), Nate Jackson’s expertise to time off a people connected nan fest astatine his week-long residency astatine Laugh Factory Hollywood was akin to watching an executive cook doing a week of cooking successful his restaurant. In Jackson’s lawsuit that meant delivering immoderate third-degree burns successful nan beforehand respective rows of nan crowd known arsenic nan “roast zone.” When it comes to sidesplitting his customers Jackson prefaces each show nan aforesaid way. “Rule number one, if I look astatine you and you don’t want nary smoke, look away,” he told nan Laugh Factory crowd.

“That is nan norm and nan standard, I do not get group unless they fastener eyes and springiness maine consent. As a matter of fact, this is called nan Roast Zone. If anybody is accidentally down there, it’s clip to get nan f— out. Because norm number 2 is, if I look astatine you and you look astatine maine and I commencement and you don’t for illustration what I decided to talk about, looking distant will nary longer prevention you.” To nan group that sewage a small excessively charred during his show, don’t opportunity he didn’t pass you. (N.J.)

Thursday, May 7

Noah Wyle and Jon Stewart astatine nan Hollywood Bowl.

(Adam Rose / Netflix)

Night of Too Many Stars
Hollywood Bowl

It was a starry, starry nighttime astatine Thursday’s sold-out Hollywood Bowl Netflix is simply a Joke Presents: Night of Too Many Stars epic comic bonanza fundraiser benefitting autism programs nationwide, including Autism Speaks. Founded successful New York by writer-producer Robert Smigel and his woman Michelle successful 2003 pursuing their boy Daniel’s autism spectrum upset diagnosis, nan Los Angeles gala was hosted by longtime protagonist Jon Stewart and featured a roster of top–tier stand-up talent including Niki Glaser, Ali Wong, Conan O’Brien, Tiffany Haddish, Sarah Silverman, John Mulaney and Adam Sandler, who closed nan show pinch a trio of upbeat tunes. Cast members of reality shows specified arsenic “Love connected nan Spectrum” were besides connected platform to present comics, and auction items passim nan arena raised crucially needed costs for individuals connected nan spectrum: a mock “physical examination” by Noah Wyle, prima of HBO’s juggernaut aesculapian bid “The Pitt” fetched $18,000; a female paid $50,000 to beryllium animated into an section of “The Simpsons.” One man stood up and donated $100,000 pinch nary prize attached. The astir typical portion of nan night: I attended on pinch my son, 19, who is connected nan autism spectrum and laughed and smiled for 3 hours straight. (Malina Saval)

Wanda Sykes
Dolby Theatre

Politics, family, inflation, racism, weight summation and greed were among nan aggregate topics lampooned by Wanda Sykes during a move and often wickedly funny circuit extremity astatine nan Dolby Theatre past Thursday. Despite nan ample venue and packed-in audience, Sykes created an friendly nine vibe, stepping onstage successful a utilitarian jumpsuit and instantly bonding pinch nan assemblage complete conscionable really weird things person go successful present-day America.

She likened 2026 to nan Upside Down successful “Stranger Things,” but populated pinch pedophiles, grifters and racists alternatively of demogorgons. Turn it upside down “and a billionaire falls done nan ceiling,” she said. Her impersonation of Trump dancing and chatting pinch Epstein successful nan now infamous video clip was axenic brilliance. How a 5-foot-2 Black female looked much Trump than Trump was a feat unto itself.

Sykes besides bemoaned nan greed down things marketed arsenic conveniences, for illustration supermarket self-checkout (“We’re moving for free!”), nutrient transportation bots and airdrome wheelchairs that get passengers to their gross without attendants. “That was someone’s job!” she said. Then added, “What if stepping accelerated and [pushing dense things] was nan only point they were bully at?” Opening for Sykes was her erstwhile sidekick connected “The Wanda Sykes Show,” Keith Robinson. (Lorraine Ali)

“Kill Tony”
Intuit Dome

The number 1 unrecorded podcast successful nan world, “Kill Tony,” returned to its roots successful our beloved metropolis connected Thursday, and this clip for nan section masses astatine Intuit Dome. Co-hosted by Tony Hinchcliffe and Brian Redban, erstwhile there’s a show of this caliber during a festival, you conscionable cognize nan guests are going to beryllium jaw droppers. Fighting nan L.A. postulation to footwear disconnected nan Dome show were Jelly Roll and Teddy Swims backed up by nan Kill Tony Band, maybe? You know, it was difficult to perceive done each nan women screaming. Kidding, we were all scream-singing, and it was specified a nosy measurement to commencement a show. Sitting connected sheet were beloved KT guests Harland Williams and Gabriel Iglesias, and nan “legends bucket” made its measurement to its first arena successful L.A., and nan pulls were so clutch. Ron White, Joe DeRosa, and Tony’s number 1 favourite comic, Tony Hinchcliffe (played by Adam Ray), showed nan crowd precisely what effortless and perfectly merciless seasoned drama looks like. Between bucket propulsion madness, a ton of Golden Ticket winners dazzled throughout, treating L.A. to a small portion of what we spot successful Austin connected Mondays.

Friday, May 8

“Stamptown” astatine nan Montalbán Theatre.

(Aaron Epstein / Netflix)

‘Stamptown’
Montalban Theater

Comedy assortment show “Stamptown” originates pinch maestro of ceremonies Jack Tucker (the comedian persona of Zach Zucker) descending from nan ceiling covered successful sweat arsenic pyrotechnic flares detonate connected shape and electrical guitars summon him earlier he falls level connected his face. But don’t worry, it only gets much insane from there. Part philharmonic revue, portion drama showcase, and portion circus — “Stamptown,” which filmed its shows for an upcoming Netflix special, is what happens erstwhile nan lunatics get power of nan asylum and determine to put connected a Las Vegas show from hell. Tucker’s rapid-fire transportation is punctuated pinch sound effects, euphony cues, and nan usage of a assortment of props dangling from his personification astatine each times (including handcuffs, a wad of cash, and 2 guns). Featuring personage cameos, acrobatic stunts, full-frontal nudity, and nan show’s stagecrew and assemblage members getting successful connected nan chaos — “Stamptown” is simply a existent homage to nan theatrical possibilities of capacity that toes nan statement ofwhat you deliberation is imaginable to beryllium done nether nan explanation “comedy show.” “Stamptown” astatine nan Montalbán was filmed arsenic portion of a Netflix typical that will aerial later this year, which immoderate person of encephalon rot and pageantry should beryllium judge to cheque out. (Leila Jordan)

Dave Chappelle
The Palladium
We’re not allowed to opportunity thing astir went connected astatine nan Dave Chappelle three-show residency astatine nan Palladium different than nan truth that it was an evening of euphony and comedy. Per accustomed they locked up nan crowd’s phones to spot his show but fortunately location were plentifulness of existent cameras capturing what went connected truthful hopefully you get to spot what we saw very soon. (NJ)

Hasan Minhaj versus Ronnie Chieng
Dolby Theatre
Known for their spirited debates connected “The Daily Show,” governmental satirists Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng faced disconnected successful a drama showdown wherever they challenged 1 different to beryllium who is amended suited to hole a surgery America, Asians (Chieng is from Malaysia) aliases Indians (Minhaj’s parents are from India)?

Never mind that Indians are South Asians, nan 2 comedians sewage plentifulness of laughs backing up their absurd arguments pinch travel charts, graphs, curated news clips, a faux AI bot called “Niri,” and plentifulness of racist rhetoric. They collapsed down nan statement into categories: Who’s amended astatine academics? Business and nan economy? Cuisine? Chieng based on that Asians are amended astatine sports pinch a database of Olympic golden badge wins complete nan past 3 Summer Games. He won’t usage each of Asia, he said, conscionable China. Result? The state had complete 100 golden medals. India had conscionable one. Minhaj wondered aloud: For group who emotion golden truthful much, why is it truthful difficult for america to triumph one?

Their choreographed statement exploited and skewered stereotypes via master timing and pointed wit, hitting location pinch nan predominantly Asian and South Asian audience. (L.A.)

Saturday, May 9

Atsuko Okatsuka pinch Margaret Cho and Trevor Noah astatine nan Orpheum.

(Andrew Max Levy / Netflix)

Atsuko Okatsuka
The Orpheum Theatre

An Atsuko Okatsuka show is typically afloat of surprises arsenic a consequence of her offbeat joke and twerk-master physicality. Her show astatine nan Orpheum is nan consequence of a brand-new hr she’s been performing connected her Big Bowl Tour and includes plentifulness of jokes astir dinosaurs and emotion of Jamaican dancehall choreography. But earlier she moreover took nan shape pinch caller material, fans sewage gleefully blindsided by nan quality of 2 drama titans, Margaret Cho and Trevor Noah, who came retired to present punchy opening sets that sewage loads of laughter to group nan reside for Okatsuka’s evening of examining reality done her absurdist lens arsenic an creator performer who often feels for illustration she’s from different planet. At nan extremity of nan show she announced that aft releasing her first 2 specials connected HBO (“The Intruder” successful 2022) and Hulu (“Father,” which came retired successful 2025) her adjacent typical will beryllium released (surprise!) connected Netflix successful 2027. (N.J.)

‘My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ Reunion

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” premiered connected nan CW Network successful 2015 and managed to show a complete 4 play communicative astir intelligence unwellness successful a philharmonic drama bid that featured parody songs connected everything from “Cats” to modern popular euphony to Jewish people songs. Seven years aft it ended, nan formed and creatives down nan show reunited to execute a stripped-down action of nan series’ beloved songs. But this performance is not meant to service arsenic an preamble for those unfamiliar pinch nan original show. The reunion capacity is simply a tribute some to nan miraculous beingness of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and to nan devoted fans who still cognize each nan words to songs for illustration “Let’s Generalize About Men” and “Don’t Be a Lawyer.” (L.J.)

James McCann
Hollywood Improv (Main Room)

Australian-born comedian James McCann topped nan measure Saturday nighttime astatine nan Hollywood Improv, and nan eclectic crowd packed nan spot fresh to observe his presence successful L.A. Host Benton Hershaw and openers Ruby Setnik and Sam Campbell perfectly connected and killed. And if my connection count were double, they’d get individual praise for mounting nan room up perfectly. High power was nan vibe erstwhile McCann sewage connected shape to chaotic roars from nan 9:30pm early show crowd and his power match, noting he was excited to beryllium astatine nan historical nine himself. Mullet looking flawless, poems successful tow, and acheronian joke dialed to an 11, he questioned L.A.’s bum crisis, whitethorn person questioned nan assemblage a spot too much, and tore done his thoughts connected a census overhaul, nan insanity of nan TV show “Survivor” (yes, it’s still on), nan glory days of drinking, and having visions of yet being successful capable to prosecute his dream team. (A.L.)

Tom Segura, left, and Bert Kreischer speak during nan Two Bears 5k arena astatine nan Rose Bowl.

(Jerod Harris / Getty Images for Netflix)

2 Bears 5K
Rose Bowl

Can’t. Type. Too. Sore. And that’s not moreover from nan run-walking, it’s from nan afterparty wrong Rose Bowl Stadium successful Pasadena. Whether you kicked disconnected this magical time of athleticism successful downward canine pinch Ari Shaffir, aliases if you went consecutive for nan starting statement pinch Bert Kreischer, Tom Segura, and a svelte-looking Jelly Roll (bravo!), location was stretching, pacing, sweating and rejoicing to beryllium had. The bent was truthful casual it allowed participants to swipe elbows pinch a surplus of comics connected manus for illustration H. Foley, Kevin Ryan, Steph Tolev, Jefferson McDonald, Joe DeRosa, Jessimae Peluso, Greg Fitzsimmons, Daphnique Springs, Brittany Ross, Ian Fidance, Kim Congdon, and Dave Williamson. The decorativeness statement led runners straight into nan Rose Bowl wherever location was plentifulness of Por Osos flowing, snacks, interactive games and betterment stations, and a unrecorded taping of 2 Bears 1 Cave pinch our favourite boys and celeb participants.

Sunday, May 10

Marcello Hernandez performed pinch Feid astatine nan Hollywood Bowl connected Sunday.

(Koury Angelo / Netflix)

Marcello Hernandez and Feid
Hollywood Bowl

On “Saturday Night Live,” he plays a Latin Lover named Domingo. But astatine nan Hollywood Bowl connected Mother’s Day Sunday, headliner Marcello Hernández riffed connected his existent life arsenic a mama’s boy increasing up successful Miami — expanding connected worldly from his 2026 Netflix special, “American Boy” — and duly invited retired his mom, Isabel, who was met pinch a opinionated ovation. “God gave maine a mother who worked her full life for me,” said Hernández, who eased connected his elastic goofball schtick to exalt migrant mothers. “Today, I springiness acknowledgment to her — and to each nan mothers who are here, arsenic good arsenic those you near backmost home.”

Attended by astir 17,000 people, nan Bowl’s biggest Spanish-language drama arena besides featured a typical (and sensual) philharmonic capacity by Colombian reggaeton heartthrob Feid, arsenic good arsenic Mexican comedian Sofia Niño de Rivera, who opened nan show pinch her ain riotous act. At immoderate constituent she asked nan assemblage if beating piñatas had been canceled by nan woke mob; you’ll conscionable person to spot maine erstwhile I opportunity it’s moreover funnier successful Spanish. (Suzy Exposito)

Roast of Kevin Hart
Kia Forum
Los Angeles showed up to nan Forum successful Inglewood for nan roast of Kevin Hart, nan comedian we emotion to dislike but besides emotion to laughter with. It was a sadistic takedown of Hart that could only beryllium accomplished by nan utmost respect and emotion from his peers. A astonishment quality by his longtime rival Katt Williams brought nan full location to their feet. Sheryl Underwood expertly executed nan punchlines and made nan civilization nan prima of her set. Chelsea Handler could person been nan prima of her ain show. The Rock’s WWE entranceway brought nan power of nan pyrotechnics to nan shape pinch his definitive propositioning of Hart’s wife, Eniko, and an effort to breastfeed Hart. Some arguable jokes by lesser, edgy comedians fell level but Jeff Ross, nan maestro of roasts, held nan tempo together and kept nan roast moving forward. There was thing for everyone successful this, arsenic Hart, nan hardest moving personification successful comedy, has go celebrated for. (Janelle Webster)

Flight of nan Conchords
The Greek Theatre

Experiencing Flight of nan Conchords astatine nan Greek is thing galore fans of their lusty, yet-bone-dry philharmonic drama haven’t gotten to acquisition successful a while. It’s been 8 years since Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie person put america connected “Business Time” pinch their stripped down odes to sexy R&B mixed pinch a hint of yacht rock, hip-hop powerfulness popular and immoderate other they decided to propulsion together from their container of classical jams that earned them fans successful nan early aughts. Following a slayer opening group from comedian Arj Barker, Flight of nan Conchords took nan shape looking a spot much for illustration metallic foxes than young birds, which made nan timeless chuckle-inducing tunes for illustration “Robots,” “The Most Beautiful Girl (In nan Room),” “Hurt Feelings” and “Business Time” onshore pinch moreover much effect arsenic nan crowd enjoyed immoderate long-awaited nostalgia. Did they hide a fewer lyrics? Miss immoderate solos? Mess up full songs? Sure! But pinch a dose of Kiwi banter and nan expertise to laughter astatine themselves, nan mistakes only made nan show funnier and a reminder of why we’ve missed them. (N.J.)