21 Comedians You Should Know Right Now

The old comedy ways are dead. The waning relevance of long-standing career springboards such as HBO, Comedy Central, and late-night TV means there are fewer pathways than ever for comics to reach new audiences.

- Rebecca Alter, Jesse David Fox, Jason P. Frank, Fran Hoepfner, Jake Kroeger,

In their place is the attention economy, a dystopian marketplace of slop merchants. Cutting through the noise to find the good stuff can feel overwhelming, so we have done the work for you with Vulture’s annual selection of “Comedians You Should and Will Know.” This year’s list features comedians who specialize in musical comedy, clowning, pitch-perfect parodies of the deranged nuances of TikTok, and interrogating politicians. More than one person has a recurring role on a TV show, a testament to how topsy-turvy the industry is that they’re still seen by the mainstream as “emerging” rather than “established.” We surveyed more than 200 of the top tastemakers and gatekeepers in the country, and here’s who is making them excited about going to work each morning, whom they wish more people knew about, and who is on the brink of greatness.

Adam Friedland

Forget what you've heard about the "millennial Jon Stewart" or "Joe Rogan of the left." Friedland is this era's Rodney Dangerfield. Being self-effacing makes him an effective interviewer on his YouTube series, which has blossomed into an anti-Fallon. In some episodes, he mocks himself to catch guests off guard.

In others, he leans more Eric Andre Show-ish. He's a former debate kid, and it shows when he pushes a guest on their politics, controversies, and reputation.

Jo Sunday

Sunday's boysenberry mane and bouncy physicality create an aura that's intensified by their singsong cadence. It all allows them to buck comedy rhythms and zip on to punch lines that are genuinely surprising.