{"id":141759,"date":"2026-01-20T17:06:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T17:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/141759\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T17:06:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T17:06:08","slug":"netflix-is-a-joke-fest-is-returning-to-l-a-with-over-350-comedy-shows-because-you-probably-need-a-laugh-right-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/141759\/","title":{"rendered":"Netflix is a Joke Fest is returning to L.A. with over 350 comedy shows\u2014because you probably need a laugh right now"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re putting together a comedy festival, you need to assemble a pretty astounding lineup to grab Angelenos\u2019 attention; after all, we can wander into small clubs<\/a> just about any night and catch sitcom stars and arena-caliber acts for a relatively small fee. Well, for the third straight time, Netflix certainly has our attention with the lineup for its comedy fest\u2014plus some unexpected music, podcast and TV additions.<\/p>\n

After its 2022 debut and 2024 return, Netflix is a Joke Fest<\/a> will once again take over dozens of venues in Los Angeles for a week this May. The 2026 edition boasts a remarkably impressive lineup of comedians, including Jon Stewart, Conan O\u2019Brien, Adam Sandler, Ali Wong, Kevin Hart, Nate Bargatze, Marcello Hern\u00e1ndez, Nikki Glaser, Flight of the Conchords, David Letterman, Taylor Tomlinson, Larry David, John Mulaney and Seth Rogen, among literally hundreds of others.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s event, which runs from May 4 to 10, 2026, also adds in a surprising number of musical acts, including Lizzo, Feid, Jelly Roll, Ben Folds, the B-52s and Danny Elfman (the latter two as part of a tribute to Pee-wee Herman). And it leans really hard into live podcast tapings: There are 20 shows, panels and reunions on the initial lineup, with guests that range from Mike Tyson to the couples of Temptation Island to Kate Hudson, Brenda Song and Mindy Kaling, plus reunions for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Portlandia, and an evening with Charlie Brooker and Philomena Cunk herself, Diane Morgan.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s just the first wave of announcements\u2014if it\u2019s anything like past editions, expect to find shows being added right up until the start of the fest. You\u2019ll find the events spread across 35 venues, including the Hollywood Bowl, the Greek Theatre, Intuit Dome, the Comedy Store, Laugh Factory and Hollywood IMPROV. There\u2019s no word yet about the return of Outside Joke, the outdoor festival-like lot behind the Hollywood Palladium that all ticketholders had access to in previous years. Otherwise, all shows are separately ticketed, and tickets go on sale<\/a> January 23 at 10am.<\/p>\n

\"Outside
\nPhotograph: Michael Juliano for Time OutOutside Joke at the Hollywood Palladium <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had the privilege of covering the first<\/a> two<\/a> Netflix is a Joke Fests and seeing some truly one-of-a-kind shows\u2014and when it comes to choosing which events to buy tickets to, I\u2019d certainly suggest those \u201conly during Netflix is a Joke Fest\u201d selections over something that you can catch at Largo on a Tuesday night for half the price. Since there\u2019s no multi-show festival pass, it gets pricey pretty quickly if you plan on seeing more than a couple of blockbuster events (aside from the yet-to-be-announced outdoor area and celebratory vibe, it\u2019s not really a traditional festival). So be a little choosy and\u2014if I can offer one more piece of advice\u2014absolutely take the shuttles to the Bowl or the Greek instead of driving.<\/p>\n

The full lineup is still to come, but here\u2019s the already-exhaustingly-long list of shows that Netflix has announced for the first wave of the lineup:<\/p>\n

\u2013 Night of Too Many Stars, hosted by Jon Stewart, with stand-up, variety and music from Bill Burr, Conan O\u2019Brien, Steve Carell, Ron Funches, Nikki Glaser, Tiffany Haddish, Jimmy Kimmel, Leanne Morgan, John Mulaney, Bob Odenkirk, Matt Rife, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman and Ali Wong; presented by Robert and Michelle Smigel with Jill Leiderman to benefit NEXT for Autism<\/p>\n

\u2013 Funny AF with Kevin Hart, the semifinals (May 4) and finale (May 5) of a Netflix stand-up competition show<\/p>\n

\u2013 Nate Bargatze taping at Intuit Dome<\/p>\n

\u2013 Shane Gillis & Friends at the Hollywood Bowl<\/p>\n

\u2013 John Mulaney: Mister Whatever at the Hollywood Bowl<\/p>\n

\u2013 Feid & Marcello Hern\u00e1ndez at the Hollywood Bowl<\/p>\n

\u2013 Seth Goes Greek, music and comedy hosted by Seth Rogen, featuring Eric Andr\u00e9, Nikki Glaser, Stavros Halkias, Nick Kroll, Sarah Silverman and Taylor Tomlinson; benefits Hilarity for Charity<\/p>\n

\u2013 Jerry Seinfeld at the Greek, with Leanne Morgan and a TBA musical guest<\/p>\n

\u2013 Beautifully Broken Comedy Night, hosted By Jelly Roll headlined by Andrew Schulz<\/p>\n

\u2013 Lizzo hosts a night of comedy and music from Eric Andr\u00e9, Nikki Glaser, Dulc\u00e9 Sloan and Meg Stalter<\/p>\n

\u2013 A Tribute to Pee-wee Herman, a Patton Oswalt-hosted 40th anniversary celebration of Pee-wee\u2019s Playhouse in partnership with Herman World, with music and comedy performances from the B-52s, Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale of DEVO, Danny Elfman, Fred Armisen, Sheng Wang, Bob the Drag Queen, Patti Harrison, Julio Torres, Michael Carbonaro and Puddles Pity Party, plus appearances by David Arquette, Cheri Oteri, Natasha Lyonne and original Playhouse puppets<\/p>\n

\u2013 Flight of the Conchords, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie\u2019s first live show together in a decade<\/p>\n

\u2013 Katt Williams at the Intuit Dome<\/p>\n

\u2013 Dodgers Comedy Night, presented by Dodgers catcher Will Smith and hosted by Ken Jeong<\/p>\n

\u2013 Marty, Life is Short, the premiere of a Martin Short documentary directed by Lawrence Kasdan at the Egyptian Theatre.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Comedy for the Community: Supporting Altadena Eaton Fire Relief, a week of shows hosted by Deon Cole at the Fraternal Order of Eagles 719<\/p>\n

\u2013 Best in Show at the Dolby, individual shows from Michelle Buteau, Jim Gaffigan, Hasan Minhaj + Ronny Chieng, and Wanda Sykes<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Not Inappropriate Show with Bob Odenkirk, a family-friendly show<\/p>\n

\u2013 2 Bears 5K hosted by Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura, with Jelly Roll, at the Rose Bowl<\/p>\n

\u2013 Stamptown, a two-night taping hosted by Zach Zucker described as \u201ca raunchy and chaotic, full-on fever dream \u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Princess Bride with an appearance by Cary Elwes and The Naked Gun with a Q&A with director David Zucker<\/p>\n

\u2013 Nick Cannon Presents: Wild \u2018n Out<\/p>\n

\u2013 Beacher\u2019s Madhouse, billed as \u201ca provocative, high-octane live variety theatrical experience blending circus, cabaret, comedy and nightlife\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013 This Better Be Funny with David Letterman at the Montalb\u00e1n, with interviews with Martin Short and John Mulaney over two nights<\/p>\n

\u2013 Rushmore Podcast Live with special guests Larry David & Jerry Seinfeld<\/p>\n

\u2013 Giggly Squad hosted by Hannah Berner & Paige DeSorbo, with the cast & creators of Running Point: Kate Hudson, Brenda Song and Mindy Kaling<\/p>\n

\u2013 Bill Simmons with the creators of Tires: Shane Gillis, John McKeever and Steve Gerben<\/p>\n

\u2013 Kill Tony<\/p>\n

\u2013 Handsome Podcast with the cast of The Hunting Wives, Brittany Snow and Malin Akerman<\/p>\n

\u2013 This Past Weekend with Theo Von with guest Mike Tyson<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Pete Davidson Show<\/p>\n

\u2013 Bad Friends with Bobby Lee & Andrew Santino<\/p>\n

\u2013 Barstool Podcast Night featuring Pardon My Take, Spittin\u2019 Chiclets and Ryen Russillo<\/p>\n

\u2013 Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade<\/p>\n

\u2013 Comedy on the Fly with DWade and Chris Spencer<\/p>\n

\u2013 Basement Yard<\/p>\n

\u2013 Smosh Reads Reddit Stories<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Viall Files with the couples of Temptation Island<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Tim Dillon Show with the cast of Selling Sunset and Selling the OC<\/p>\n

\u2013 The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya with surprise special guest<\/p>\n

\u2013 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: 10(ish) Year Reunion<\/p>\n

\u2013 Cunk In Conversation, an evening with Diane Morgan and Charlie Brooker<\/p>\n

\u2013 A Visit From Portlandia with Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you\u2019re putting together a comedy festival, you need to assemble a pretty astounding lineup to grab Angelenos\u2019…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":141760,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[71300,2241,48,52,51,47,50,49,71301],"class_list":["post-141759","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-los-angeles","tag-categories-comedy","tag-comedy","tag-la","tag-la-headlines","tag-la-news","tag-los-angeles","tag-los-angeles-headlines","tag-los-angeles-news","tag-news-comedy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141759","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=141759"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141759\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/141760"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=141759"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=141759"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=141759"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}