Over the last decade Netflix has become a juggernaut in the world of stand-up comedy. Titans of the industry like Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Tiffany Haddish, Chris Rock, and Ellen DeGeneres have produced original specials for the streaming site. And soon megastars like Eddie Murphy and Jerry Seinfeld will add their names to an already impressive lineup. However, the future of the company’s foray into the world of comedy won’t be limited to just shows you can chill with at home. Netflix has announced its first-ever live comedy festival, Netflix is a Joke Fest. It will be a week-long celebration with over 100 live shows, events, and activations featuring some of the most popular stand-ups to ever take the stage.
Netflix has announced its comedy brand, Netflix Is A Joke, will host a week-long festival across 20 locations in Los Angeles (“primarily centered in Hollywood”) from April 27 to May 3. That will includes events at the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, Hollywood Palladium, The Largo, and more. Produced in association with Live Nation, “the star-studded celebration of comedy will take over and feature live stand-up shows, special events, and activations with Netflix comedians and artists from around the world.” It will include Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Jamie Foxx, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Kevin Hart, Martin Lawrence, Sebastian Maniscalco, the cast of Schitt’s Creek, and more.
It will also include STAND OUT, an LGBTQ+ Celebration headlined by Alan Carr, Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Wanda Sykes, and more.
The festival will end on May 3 with the “inaugural edition of The Hall, a first-of-its-kind hall of fame honoring the greats of stand-up comedy.” The presenters and inductors alone would make for an amazing first class. Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes, and more will pay “homage to and induct comedy legends.” That’s an amazing lineup, but the inaugural class they’ll be honoring is absolutely perfect: George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Joan Rivers, and Robin Williams.
Netflix
“It’s our honor to transform LA for one week into the funniest place on earth,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos in a statement announcing the event. “This festival is a unique celebration of the art of comedy, and the role it plays in reflecting our lives and defining culture. It’s a chance for comedy lovers to come together and see their favorite artists as well as discover new ones, and for us to be able to share the electricity and excitement of the festival in Los Angeles with Netflix members around the world.”
Tickets for all festival events will go on sale to the general public starting Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. PT at www.NetflixIsAJokeFest.com. That’s also where you’ll be able to get dates and times for all shows. Some pre-sales will be available on Tuesday, March 3, so make sure to see if one you’re interested in will be available.
If you aren’t in the Los Angeles area or can’t make it to a show, eleven events “will be recorded and available in their entirety at a later date” on Netflix. “Highlights will also be available on Netflix Is A Joke’s SiriusXM channel and on Netflix Is A Joke social platforms.” You can find the full, massive festival lineup below, which also includes the eleven events being taped.
Netflix
Netflix is also partnering with the nonprofit organization Comedy Gives Back during the festival. Comedy Gives Back’s “mission is to create a safety net for comedians in need with mental health, medical and financial crisis support.” The organization “will provide onsite services and information for all interested Festival goers, free of charge.” So attendees will get a week of great comedy plus a chance to get some help if they need it.
We don’t care how much we like to stay home and watch Netflix, that’s a pretty great reason to get off our couches.
Official Lineup
THE THEATRE AT ACE HOTEL
The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up (recorded)
“The best comedians of today honoring the greatest stand-up comedians of all-time. With appearances by Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, & Wanda Sykes.”
THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL
Chappelle’s
“An evening of music and comedy featuring Dave Chappelle and very special guests.”
THE GREEK
STAND OUT: An LGBTQ+ celebration at The Greek Theatre (recorded)
“A Historic Celebration of the best in LGBTQ+ Comedy. Legends, headliners, and top emerging talent will share the same stage at The Greek Theatre for an unforgettable and unprecedented stand-up event with special guests and musical performances. Headliners include Alan Carr, Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard and Wanda Sykes. Presenters include Demi Lovato, Graham Norton, Lily Tomlin, Ruby Rose. Featuring Bianca Del Rio, Fortune Feimster, Gina Yashere, Guy Branum, James Adomian, Joel Kim Booster, Judy Gold, Lea DeLaria, Mae Martin, Marsha Warfield, Matteo Lane, Patti Harrison, Rhea Butcher, Sam Jay, Scott Thompson, Solomon Georgio, Trixie Mattel and more. STAND OUT is produced by Page Hurwitz and Wanda Sykes for Push It Productions.”
THE FONDA
That’s My Time with David Letterman (recorded)
“Legendary late night host David Letterman returns to his roots to showcase some of today’s finest stand up comedians to perform and then join him for a one-of-a-kind interview.”
THE PALLADIUM
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Jamie Foxx (recorded)
“Megastar and Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx hosts this loaded lineup featuring some of his favorite comedians!”
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Amy Schumer (recorded)
“Movie star and powerhouse standup Amy Schumer hosts this epic night filled with some of Netflix’s hottest comedians!”
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Martin Lawrence (recorded)
“From Def Comedy Jam 25, superstar comedian Martin Lawrence returns to Netflix to host an evening of heavy hitting stand-up.”
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium Hosted by Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin (recorded)
“Comedy icons and Grace & Frankie stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin host an evening of top notch stand-up from an all-lady lineup.”
THE WILTERN
Sebastian Maniscalco live
Ali Wong: The Milk and Money Tour live
2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer live podcast
The Degenerates Live Hosted by Jim Jefferies
“The Degenerates is BACK and it’s LIVE. You loved the first two seasons of this no-holds-barred comedy show featuring the hottest rising stars of comedy. Now this crude and lewd show is hitting LA for a special Live edition hosted by Jim Jefferies featuring Big Jay Oakersen, Christina P, Ms. Pat, Robert Kelly and more.”
Ronny Chieng live
Park Na-rae live
Ken Jeong live
Chelsea Handler live
THE ORPHEUM
Kevin Hart in Conversation
“A moderated Q&A session with comedy superstar and business mogul Kevin Hart.”
Iliza Shlesinger The Forever Tour
Schitt’s Creek: The Farewell Tour
“With Dan Levy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Annie Murphy , Noah Reid, Emily Hampshire. Join Schitt’s Creek cast members for a live, interactive evening that promises to be fun and insightful while giving fans an insider’s look into the making of the series.”
Jack Whitehall live
WILSHIRE EBELL
Mike Birbiglia live
Congratulations with Chris D’Elia live podcast
Michelle Wolf live
Middleditch & Schwartz improv live
PALACE
Norm Macdonald live
THE AVALON
Pete Davidson & Best Friends (recorded)”
Pete Davidson and his friends are doing stand-up comedy for you and your friends.”
Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica (recorded)
“Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica is a loaded stand up show featuring a who’s who of Latin American comedians. Special guests include Fabrizio Copano, Liss Pereira, Ricardo O’Farrill, and Ricardo Quevedo.”
The India All Star Show hosted by Vir Das (recorded)
“The India All Star Show is jam packed with the best stand up comedians from India featuring performances in both Hindi and English. Special guests include: Aditi Mittal, Amit Tandon, Kanan Gill, Kaneez Surka, Kenny Sebastian, Prashasti Singh, and Sumukhi Suresh.”
REGENT
Marlon Wayans live
Russell Howard live
Deon Cole live
Christina Pazsitzky live
Vir Das live
LARGO
Jacqueline Novak Get On Your Knees live
Jenny Slate live
Katherine Ryan live
Tom Papa & Fortune Feimster live
Whitney Cummings & Friends live
DYNASTY TYPEWRITER
Cristela Alonzo live
Taylor Tomlinson live
Catherine Cohen live
London Hughes live
Mo Gilligan live
The Endless Honeymoon with Moshe Kasher & Natasha Leggero live podcast
COMEDY UNION
The Arsenio Hall Comedy Showcase (recorded for SiriusXM)
Arsenio Hall presents a lineup of the funniest comedians in LA at the legendary Comedy Union.
IMPROV
Whindersson Nunes & Friends live
They Ready Live live
Luenell live
IMPROV LAB AND IMPROV LAB
Janelle James & Friends live
K. Trevor Wilson live
Ms. Pat live
LAUGH FACTORY
Best of Canada live
THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL
Tim Dillon live
Chad Goes Deep “Going Deep” live podcast
THE BELASCO
Felipe Esparza live
DETAILS FORTHCOMING
Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell Season 2 (recorded)
“Best buds Jeff Ross and Dave Attell are bringing their uncut savagery for an all new season of Bumping Mics. Inviting friends and special guests from all over comedy to hang, riff and roast one another. No mic will go un-bumped.”
Aunty Donna live sketch
Featured Image: Netflix