Are you someone who is in need of a good laugh at the moment? Do you have a subscription to Amazon Prime? Are you, by any chance, a fan of Jim Gaffigan? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you are in luck, because Amazon Prime has more than enough stand-up comedy specials available to stream right now.
To save your hand from carpal tunnel due to an excess of scrolling, I have taken it upon myself to narrow down your choices to the following best stand-up comedy specials from the best stand-up comedians in the business that I could find on Amazon Prime. Hopefully, these stand-up comedy specials hit the spot for you.
Tom Segura: Completely Normal (2014)
A comedian also known for putting out some of the best Netflix original stand-up comedy specials is Tom Segura, who released his own first special in 2014 with Completely Normal. Speaking to a Minneapolis audience, the Instant Family star talks about the benefit of having a rude doctor and some of his TV obsessions, such as Steven Seagal: Lawman, which opened his eyes to how “out of his mind” the action movie star is in real life.
Stream Tom Segura: Completely Normal on Amazon Prime.
Jim Breuer: And Laughter For All (2013)
Best known for playing Brian in one of the best stoner comedies, Half Baked, and his three years on SNL, Jim Breuer, arguably, hit his peak of stand-up comedy with his third solo special, And Laughter for All. He reflects on his life as a suburban dad, demonstrates some of his best impressions, and recalls the moment he knew comedy was in his future while working in Sears’ paint department.
Stream Jim Breuer: And Laughter for All on Amazon Prime.
Iliza Shlesinger: War Paint (2013)
Five years after winning Last Comic Standing in 2008, Iliza Shlesinger released her very first stand-up special with War Paint. The writer and star of Netflix’s Good on Paper is relentless in her commentary on topics ranging from going out for a night with her friends to some of TLC’s most bizarre TV shows while performing in her hometown of Dallas, Texas.
Stream Iliza Shlesinger: War Paint on Amazon Prime.
Jimmy O. Yang: Good Deal (2020)
After stealing the show in HBO’s Silicon Valley cast as Jian Yang, Jimmy O. Yang introduced the world to his skill as a stand-up comic with his debut special, Good Deal. The title of the Amazon Prime exclusive refers to how Yang’s father answered him when he asked how he feels about his mother after 38 years of marriage, which is just one of the funniest anecdotes he shares.
Stream Jimmy O. Yang: Good Deal on Amazon Prime.
Andrew Santino: Homefield Advantage (2018)
Andrew Santino is best known for playing Lil Dicky’s best friend and manager on FX’s Dave, joining the House Party remake cast, and his Netflix original stand-up special, Cheeseburger. Watch him dish on what he believes is a flaw in bar bathroom designs and the origin of bedroom door locks in his first solo outing, Homefield Advantage.
Stream Andrew Santino: Homefield Advantage on Amazon Prime.
Tim Allen Rewires America (1991)
The concept of modern masculinity has been a recurring theme in Tim Allen’s legacy as sitcom royalty from leading the Home Improvement cast and, later, Last Man Standing. It is also a prevalent theme of his second stand-up special originally developed for Showtime, Tim Allen Rewires America.
Stream Tim Allen Rewires America on Amazon Prime.
Eddie Izzard: Wunderbar (2022)
Eddie Izzard’s storied reputation as a trailblazing LGBTQ+ comedian led to a successful, versatile, and two-time Emmy-winning career as an actor. She returns to the stage for her most recent special, Wunderbar, in which she presents her own interpretation of Batman’s origin story and recalls her experiences running marathons.
Stream Eddie Izzard: Wunderbar on Amazon Prime.
Tom Papa: Live In New York City (2011)
After casting him in The Haunted World of El Superbeasto and before casting him in 2019’s 3 From Hell, director Rob Zombie (yes, that Rob Zombie) helmed Tom Papa’s 2011 stand-up special, Live in New York City. The comedian treats his Manhattan audience to an in-depth analysis of pitbulls, his opinions on modern day family life, and more.
Stream Tom Papa: Live In New York City on Amazon Prime.
Jeff Dunham: Arguing With Myself (2006)
Never has the art of ventriloquism ever been nearly as cool as when Jeff Dunham gave it a much-needed edge, turning himself into one of the most successful men to stick his hand inside a puppet. In his very first comedy special, Arguing with Myself, the highly talented, internationally renowned performer entertains a Santa Ana, California, audience by engaging in many a conversational conflict with his pint-sized friends: the elderly curmudgeon Walter, Southern fried Bubba J, pimpin' Sweet Daddy Dee, overly energetic creature of unknown origin Peanut, and a jalapeño on a stick named José.
Stream Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself on Amazon Prime.
George Carlin... It’s Bad For Ya (2008)
A heartbreaking void was left in the world of comedy when one of its most influential voices, George Carlin, passed away due to a heart attack at 71 in 2008. Fortunately, the comedian was able to treat his fans with one last show for HBO that same year. The Emmy-nominated special, It’s Bad for Ya, sees the star of the first two Bill & Ted movies, in which he played the time-traveling Rufus, make more of his signature unapologetic observations on death, politics, and everything that he believes is causing the state of humanity to crumble at that given point in history.
Stream George Carlin… It’s Bad For Ya on Amazon Prime.
Marc Maron: Thinky Pain (2013)
After hitting it big with his chart-topping interview podcast, WTF, Marc Maron decided to return to his stand-up roots with this special. It is up to you, however, to decide if his anxious reluctance to do the show in the first place is warranted. In Thinky Pain, the then 50-year-old future star of Netflix's award-winning series GLOW and a few scenes in Todd Phillips' Joker reflects on his own self-loathing tendencies, his relentless neuroses, and presents a collection of interesting auto-biographical anecdotes, such as a quest to rediscover the music of his youth.
Stream Marc Maron: Thinky Pain on Amazon Prime.
Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend (2013)
In 2019, talented humorist Mike Birbiglia (whom you might recognize from Orange is the New Black) released The New One – a Netflix original special in which he details the most crucial moments leading up to and following the birth of his first child. This 2013 one-man show could appropriately be considered the unofficial prequel to that special. My Girlfriend's Boyfriend is the award-winning filmmaker and comedian's emotional recount of the most hilariously awkward moments in his romantic life that changed him from a loveless skeptic to the loving husband he never expected to be.
Stream Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend on Amazon Prime.
Ron White: A Little Unprofessional (2013)
It can actually pay to be a little unprofessional when you tell jokes for a living, as Ron White goes to great lengths to prove in this 80-minute special. Once again accompanied onstage with his trusty scotch and cigars, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour veteran, who also goes by "Tater Salad," tells a Texas audience yet another collection of anecdotes that would not be the same without his impeccable comedic timing. On the other hand, his story about partying on his friend Dr. Phil McGraw's yacht is pretty wild on its own.
Stream Ron White: A Little Unprofessional on Amazon Prime.
Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time (2019)
Jim Gaffigan has made a name for himself, not only for his pale complexion, but as a comedian who can spurt out clever, relatable, societal commentary without relying on filth or foul language. He makes sure his seventh comedy special, Quality Time – an original for Amazon Prime – lives up to its name with more witty takes on new topics, such when it is appropriate to lie to your children, the concept of dog birthdays, and his own experience running in (but, admittedly, not finishing) the New York Marathon.
Stream Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time on Amazon Prime.
What do you think? Are these stand-up comedy specials just what you were looking for to stream on Amazon Prime, or do you think this list is a joke?
