{"id":298301,"date":"2026-05-03T21:00:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T21:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/298301\/"},"modified":"2026-05-03T21:00:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T21:00:22","slug":"these-11-netflix-is-a-joke-fest-shows-to-see-arent-your-typical-comedy-sets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/298301\/","title":{"rendered":"These 11 Netflix is a Joke Fest shows to see aren\u2019t your typical comedy sets"},"content":{"rendered":"

We can\u2019t even give you a precise number of shows that Netflix is a Joke Fest<\/a> is staging, because that number seems to increase by the hour. (As of publication, it was upwards of 440.)<\/p>\n

There are so many events to see during the third iteration of this city-spanning comedy marathon, but as an Angeleno with only so much time and money, you simply can\u2019t see everything\u2014or really even more than a small fraction of the fest, which runs from May 4 and 10. So where do you start? You have your heavy hitters: theater and arena-sized headlining sets from the likes of John Mulaney, Chelsea Handler, Nate Bargatze, Dave Chappelle,\u00a0Atsuko Okatsuka and Shane Gillis, among others. And amphitheater-filling spectacles like a star-studded Seth Rogen\u2013hosted show and a Flight of the Conchords reunion at the Greek Theatre or Night of Too Many Stars at the Hollywood Bowl.<\/p>\n

But this is L.A., where you can see big names drop into intimate comedy clubs<\/a>\u00a0almost any night of the week. With that in mind, we set out to spotlight\u00a0some of the standout\u00a0shows (ones that still had tickets left) on the Netflix is a Joke Fest lineup that feel like truly one-of-a-kind occasions, either due to their extraordinary lineups or unprecedented premises. With that in mind, these are the 11 shows that we think stand out as some of the most unique ones to see at this year\u2019s Netflix is a Joke Fest.<\/p>\n

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary Of Pee-wee\u2019s Playhouse<\/a><\/p>\n

The Greek Theatre
May 4 at 8pm<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s secret word is: essential. Because a staggering assortment of guests are coming together for this essential\u2014ahh!\u201440th anniversary celebration of Pee-wee\u2019s Playhouse at the Greek. Patton Oswalt hosts, with music from the B-52s, Danny Elfman and Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale of DEVO, plus everything from comedians like Fred Armisen and Patti Harrison to David Arquette (who has taken up the Bozo the Clown mantle) and Puddles Pity Party to some of the show\u2019s original puppeteers and cast members. If you need more Pee-wee, the Egyptian Theatre is screening a five-episode marathon<\/a> of the show (May 9 at 7pm).\u00a0\u2013Michael Juliano<\/p>\n

An Emergency Board Meeting Slumber Party<\/a><\/p>\n

Pacific Electric
May 4 at 9:45pm<\/p>\n

\u201cA stand-up comedy show for anyone coping with the slow collapse of everything\u201d is how Netflix describes this one, and really what else do you need to know to be sold on this? How about if director Adam McKay and Hacks standout Robby Hoffman are also on the lineup? And if proceeds support planet-protecting nonprofits? Self-professed climate comedian Stuart Goldsmith hosts, with additional sets from Jimmy O. Yang, Beth Stelling, Catherine Cohen, Gianmarco Soresi, Esteban Gast and Cristela Alonzo.\u00a0\u2013MJ<\/p>\n

Off Book: The Improvised Musical<\/a><\/p>\n

The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
May 4 at 7pm<\/p>\n

Forget lavishly crafted musicals that take years to put together: Comedians Jessica McKenna and Zach Reino put a fresh one together on the spot for their semi-regular improv podcast. Not all podcasts transition well into a live show, but this one was made for the stage; the live band accompaniment and quick lyrical wizardry make this one a must-see.\u00a0\u2013MJ<\/p>\n

Music & Comedy With Alex Edelman & Ben Folds<\/a><\/p>\n

The Ford
May 5, 7pm<\/p>\n

Beyond a proliferation of podcast tapings, this year\u2019s fest is incorporating a lot more music, which is a welcome addition. Case in point: this unexpected mash-up at the Ford, featuring pianist and singer Ben Folds (whose lyrics often lean toward the comical anyway) and Emmy-winning comedian Alex Edelman, who blends stand-up with compelling storytelling. \u2013Gillian Glover<\/p>\n

\"Demetri
\nCourtesy Demetri Martin Studio and Netflix <\/p>\n

Demetri Martin Is Also a Painter<\/a><\/p>\n

729 N Fairfax Ave
May 5\u201310, 11am\u20135pm<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll watch anything Demetri Martin does since the days of Important Things on Comedy Central, but I\u2019m particularly intrigued by his latest effort. Known for incorporating both music and drawing into his live shows, this later addition to the Netflix Is a Joke lineup finds the comic staging a comedy show inside a gallery of his paintings\u2014all of which will be for sale to visitors. The gallery space itself will be open all week, and Martin himself will pop in for a few free shows, including Saturday, May 9 at 3pm. Email studio@artjokes.com to RSVP. \u2013GG<\/p>\n

This Better Be Funny with David Letterman & Special Guest Martin Short<\/a><\/p>\n

The Montalb\u00e1n Theatre
May 7 at 7pm<\/p>\n

Last festival edition, the iconic host took the stage at the Montalb\u00e1n for a series of sit-down chats with unannounced comedians (I caught a wholesome convo with Nate Bargatze that fell somewhere between Letterman\u2019s relatively serious My Next Guest\u00a0series and his sardonic late-night days). But this time around, you know what you\u2019re getting: an evening with Martin Short, who will almost certainly completely take charge of the interview to laugh-till-you-can\u2019t-breathe effect. John Mulaney guests earlier in the week (May 5).\u00a0\u2013MJ<\/p>\n

The Legend of Crystal Shell (Kristen Schaal)<\/a><\/p>\n

Dynasty Typewriter
May 7, 8 at 7pm<\/p>\n

Whether you know her as the voice of Louise on Bob\u2019s Burgers or for cohosting beloved local variety show Hot Tub for two decades, you\u2019re probably not prepared for the fever dream that inevitably awaits at this stage show, described as \u201ca story about a sheltered centaur who confronts her horse dad.\u201d Schaal started performing the show earlier this year, but you can catch it again over two nights at Dynasty Typewriter, with fellow Bob\u2019s Burgers costar John Roberts and music by Big Black Delta. Each night includes a different special guest: Thursday with Chris Fleming, Friday with Sheng Wang and post-fest with Eugene Mirman at Largo<\/a> (May 12).\u00a0\u2013MJ<\/p>\n

\"Wolves
\nPhotograph: Brandon Moningka for Time OutWolves of Glendale <\/p>\n

Wolves of Glendale<\/a><\/p>\n

Troubadour
May 7, 7pm<\/p>\n

One of our picks for up-and-coming L.A. comedians to watch<\/a>, this comedy-music trio returns to Netflix is a Joke with a set at the Troubadour, where you can hear tracks from their eponymous debut album and brand-new EP. Guitarist Ethan Edenburg, drummer Eric Jackowitz and keyboardist Tom McGovern have only been performing together for a few years, but the band has been on a steady rise, earning devoted fans and praise from the likes of Jack Black. Calling to mind Flight of the Conchords and \u201cWeird Al\u201d originals, their songs are insanely catchy and expertly produced, and they\u2019re even more fun live. \u2013GG<\/p>\n

A Visit From Portlandia with Fred & Carrie<\/a><\/p>\n

The Ford
May 8, 7pm<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time to put a bird on it! It\u2019s been eight years since Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein\u2019s sketch-show send-up of Portland and all its quirks ended\u2014though it lasted a full eight seasons without ever seeming to run out of ideas. The friends and creative partners will reunite at the Ford for a nostalgic evening of \u201cstorytelling, jokes, conversation and more.\u201d And given the caliber of guest-stars the IFC show attracted, I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if some stopped by. \u2013GG<\/p>\n

Stamptown<\/a><\/p>\n

The Montalb\u00e1n Theatre
May 8, 7pm; May 9, 7pm and 9:45pm<\/p>\n

Stamptown is something of an enigma to me\u2014but it comes highly recommended via word of mouth, which is why I\u2019m excited to check it out in person. Led by professional clown Zach Zucker, the zany live variety show is taping its first special as part of the festival. Expect a 90-minute raunchy and chaotic production; past comedian guests have included Neil Patrick Harris and Rachel Sennott. A third show was just added by popular demand, so you have three chances to see what the buzz is about. \u2013GG<\/p>\n

Lizzo & Friends<\/a><\/p>\n

The Wiltern
May 10 at 8pm<\/p>\n

How\u2019s this for a surreal, one-of-a-kind lineup: Lizzo hosts and performs at a night of music and comedy (and \u201cyo mama,\u201d as the show poster cheekily reminds that it coincides with Mother\u2019s Day) that includes Eric Andr\u00e9, Bob the Drag Queen, Dulc\u00e9 Sloan, Myke Wright and Godfrey.\u00a0\u2013MJ<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We can\u2019t even give you a precise number of shows that Netflix is a Joke Fest is staging,…\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-298301","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\/298301","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=298301"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/298301\/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=298301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=298301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=298301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}