15 Stand-Up Specials by Female Comedians You Need to Add to Your Watch List Now
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Sometimes, mainstream pop culture would have you believe that Amy Schumer is the only female comedian out there. Admittedly, Schumer is still killing it, but there are tons of other female comedians who also deserve your attention. Even better, these ladies have stand-up specials out there that you can stream, so you don't have to just listen to me tell you how funny they are; you can see for yourself immediately. There are those who have been blowing up the stage for years and ones you may not have heard of yet, but you're about to be a new devotee. Here are all of the funniest the stand-up specials you can stream, all by women — and of course Schumer is on the list.
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Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats
The Brooklyn Nine-Nine star plays a droll character, so you might be surprised how goofy and outgoing comedian Peretti is in her 2014 special. This one, with its spot-on humor, absurdist interludes, and relatability, made me laugh out loud.
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Whitney Cummings: I'm Your Girlfriend
You may have seen Cummings before on her namesake NBC comedy Whitney a few years back, but you need to watch this special to get a feel for what her real comedy is like. She's smart, fiercely feminist, and spit-out-your-drink funny.
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Ali Wong: Baby Cobra
People might not have heard of Ali Wong before Baby Cobra (FYI, she is a staff writer for Fresh Off the Boat), but five minutes into this comedy special she was already proving to be a comedy icon. Yes, she is quite pregnant for her stand-up special, but that doesn't make her go in any softer on subjects like hoarding, STDs, and taking advantage of being pregnant.
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Amy Schumer Live at the Apollo
Amy Schumer filmed her NYC special after her whirlwind 2015, so she goes into a lot of the sudden fame she experienced in her trademark Amy way — but proves that she has lost none of her edge after being thrust into the spotlight.
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Amy Schumer: The Leather Special
Schumer put out her next major stand-up special in 2017 — after being a certified star. No prima donna, Schumer still makes fun of herself and the world in the same acerbic fashion.
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Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles
Silverman's special is the oldest one on this list (shot in 2013), but you'll find that it's still extremely relevant, especially in an election year. Silverman eviscerates religion, politics, and gender roles — and she does it while making you crack up.
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Nikki Glaser: Perfect
Glaser happens to be in Amy Schumer's inner circle, but she has her own comedy style — and special, which came out on Comedy Central in 2016. Her comedy is fierce, raunchy, and goes places you may not be comfortable with, but you'll be glad you went along.
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2 Dope Queens
Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson bring their hit podcast to the stage in their HBO comedy special, which recently kicked off. Featuring stand-up comedians, special guests like Jon Stewart, and the whip-smart dialogue they're known for, the episodes are nonstop hilarity.
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Iliza Shlesinger: Confirmed Kills
Iliza Shlesinger serves up fearlessly fresh comic observations in this stand-up special, which was filmed in Chicago and touches on everything from Shark Tank to everyone's inner party goblin.
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Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah contributor Wolf tackles dating and feminism in her first stand-up special.
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Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife
Ali Wong returns to the stage in Hard Knock Wife, pregnant once more and full of another batch of laugh-out-loud observations about giving birth, motherhood, and her marriage.
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Hannah Gadsby: Nannette
Hannah Gadsby's Nannette premiered in 2018 to critical acclaim, being praised as a comedy special unlike any other. The Australian native will make you laugh just as soon as she has you sobbing during her hour of stark vulnerability and hard truths.
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Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial
Iliza Shlesinger's 2018 special tracks her life after 35 — hence the title — as well as the dating world, her new engagement, and a whole host of other things that will have you full-on laughing at your screen.
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The Standups
Both seasons of this Netflix standup series features specials from female comedians like Aparna Nancherla, Nikki Glaser, Gina Yashere, Fortune Feimster, and more.
The Comedy Lineup
Netflix's other comedy series, The Comedy Lineup, offers up bite-size laughs (with an emphasis on bite). Michelle Buteau, Taylor Tomlinson, Sam Jay, and Sabrina Jalees give it their all in season one, and with season two on the way (due out Aug. 31), you can expect sets from Emma Willmann, Kate Willett, and Janelle James.