THESE COMEDY SPECIALS STAND ABOVE THE PACK

OW, 2025 —in the race to dismantle civilization, you certainly outdid yourself.

- BY NATE JACKSON AND ALI LERMAN

And it took some brilliant stand-ups this year to take our problems big and small and turn them into jokes that reminded us that what we're going through isn’t so bad or at least offer solace that things could always be worse. The best comedy specials even found a way to bring humanity together. From arena-level acts to L.A.’s favorite local comics, these were our favorite comedy specials from 2025.

FRANKIE QUIÑONES, 'DAMN, THAT'S CRAZY'

Hulu

In his Hulu debut “Damn That’s Crazy,” comedy sketchmaster Frankie Quiñones, who earned viral fame for his Cholofit character, does all the heavy lifting as himself. And at certain points, he definitely gets heavy. Directed by Ali Wong, the special takes viewers on a journey of relationship baggage, pandemic-related sex addictions and unresolved family trauma over sexual abuse he endured when he was a child. Yet still — there are plenty of laughs along the way. It’s the type of thing that people will certainly label as brave, but only because it succeeds without trying to be. - Nate Jackson

ANDREW SCHULZ, 'LIFE'

Netflix

It’s easy to be fooled into thinking Andrew Schulz is living his best life when he’s in the spotlight. But the stand-up comic and successful podcaster has been through his own share of problems too, like his and his wife’s efforts to have a baby. It was an ordeal that inspired a refreshingly honest core of his latest hour titled, simply, “Life,” which focused on struggles with conception, IVF and new fatherhood. Though 2025 was a year when his name was often linked to the manosphere led by Joe Rogan, Schulz’s special puts less effort into shock humor and any alt-right political agendas (though there is a touch of that here and there) as he leads with his personal story that shows a side to him as a parent that makes it not just funny, but also a compelling watch. - N.J.

SEBASTIAN MANISCALCO, 'IT AIN'T RIGHT'

Hulu