A Saturday Night Live fan’s guide to Netflix stand-up specials
By Matt Moore
In need of a good laugh? Here are the best stand-up comedy specials on Netflix featuring Saturday Night Live stars.
We are in a stressful and uncertain time right now. The outbreak of novel coronavirus has canceled events and shows across the country and forced many people to self-isolate. In times like these, everyone could use some laughs. And who better to supply those laughs than the stars of Saturday Night Live?
Saturday Night Live is among the New York City-based late night shows that are expected to go without a live audience, if at all. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers have both canceled shows outright. SNL is set to return from a planned hiatus on March 28, so we’ll wait and see how that looks.
In the meantime, you may be looking for ways to stay entertained while you wait for late night, sports, or anything else to get back to normal. Or, you may just want to know if your favorite Saturday Night Live alumni have a Netflix special. Last Night On has you covered.
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City
Former Saturday Night Live writer John Mulaney is all over Netflix. Fans can see multiple stand-up specials, his Oh Hello! show with Nick Kroll, and the recently released variety show John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch.
You can’t go wrong with watching any of them but we highly recommend Kid Gorgeous. This special was released in 2018 and is Mulaney at his best. The highlight is Mulaney’s recollection of the Chicago detective who visited his school and made a long-lasting impression on the future comedian. It’s hard to argue with Kid Gorgeous‘s 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Colin Quinn: The New York Story
Directed by Jerry Seinfeld, Colin Quinn: The New York Story is a version of the former “Weekend Update” anchor’s popular Broadway show. In his signature style, Colin Quinn tells the history of New York City mostly through stereotypes and the lens of his own childhood.
The special is “controversial” by today’s standards but that seemed to be just as much Quinn’s point as sharing his observations on New York City. If you long for “the way things used to be,” you’ll find a kindred spirit in Colin Quinn.
Michael Che Matters
From one “Weekend Update” anchor to another, Michael Che Matters is an excellent special for today’s Saturday Night Live fans. And if Che’s style at the “Update” desk isn’t your thing, his 2016 special could surprise you.
Che has pushed the envelope at Saturday Night Live a bit more over the past couple of seasons. This has resulted in a backlash that (thankfully) appears to have no effect on Che or SNL. Pretty much every social and political topic is on the table as Che shows honesty and perspective that isn’t always able to come through on SNL.
Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust
Sarah Silverman’s tenure on Saturday Night Live was brief at only 18 episodes. She only appeared in the 1993-1994 season, which featured legends like Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, and Adam Sandler. But that was just the start of Silverman’s career that now sees her as one of the biggest comedy stars in the world.
Speck of Dust boasts a 100% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The special features an impressive balance of excellent jokes on strange topics along with Silverman’s thoughtfulness on some heavy subjects like death and family. Silverman has come a long way since SNL and Speck of Dust is a testament to her longevity and skills as a stand-up performer.
Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh
Adam Sandler made a name for himself at Saturday Night Live thanks to his “Weekend Update” spots featuring original songs. He offers more music in his 2018 special 100% Fresh.
Songs about Uber drivers, runaway trains, and extra-friendly space stations are among the highlights. But Saturday Night Live fans will especially appreciate Sandler’s tribute to his late friend Chris Farley in a song Sandler also performed when he hosted SNL . 100% Fresh will have comedy fans begging Sandler to produce as many stand-up specials as he does movies.
Chris Rock: Tamborine
If you’re a fan of the Sandler and Farley era, then chances are you’re also a fan of Chris Rock. The stand-up legend delivers an honest, introspective, and hilarious special with Tamborine.
Topics typically covered in a Chris Rock special are of course included. Marriage, race, and politics are all discussed through Rock’s signature voice and sense of humor. See for yourself why Tamborine holds a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Leslie Jones: Time Machine
For Saturday Night Live fans who miss Leslie Jones, Time Machine offers a solution. Jones left SNL at the end of season 44, leaving a noticeable void at the “Weekend Update” desk.
She brings the same over-the-top performances to Time Machine and then some. Jones reflects on her life and career that hit a new high in 2014 when she joined SNL at the age of 47. But whether you liked Jones at SNL or not, there is no denying she is more at home on the stand-up stage than anywhere else.
light. Related Story. John Mulaney completes his musical trilogy on Saturday Night Live
You can also find specials from Pete Davidson, Seth Meyers, Fred Armisen, Dana Carvey, and others. Which Saturday Night Live alumni have your favorite stand-up routine on Netflix? Let us know in the comment section!