The Funny Side of Netflix

Netflix added the comedy stand up special “Aziz Ansari: Live from Madison Square Garden” to its vast collection of streaming options in early March for subscribers’ viewing pleasure. Since Netflix is programmed to give viewers the “you might like this” choices when they have finished watching something, naturally other comedy specials are bound to come up from all kinds of different performers that will leave you in stitches the whole night.

Aziz Ansari, who starred in the hit show Parks and Recreations and has had a number of comedic roles in several movies, jokes with his audience about the differences between generations and society, technology and today’s single life. His high energy and ability to connect two different subjects in the same joke makes people feel just as part of the audience as the people that actually got to attend.

All of his specials (there are currently four on Netflix) include relatable bits about society today and how young adults go through their lives. Yet his newest standup act offers up vulnerability that most comedians wouldn’t dare share with a live audience. Ansari shares stories about being a minority and having immigrant parents as well as being in a new series relationship. Though the subject matters do get series, including his political and feminist views, Ansari manages to keep things light with jokes, while still getting a message across.

Ansari’s stand up is geared towards the young adults trying to get through life, yet they shouldn’t be discouraged from watching older comedians. Louis C.K, whom also has four comedy specials up on Netflix to stream, uses stories about his marriage, his kids and the struggles of aging during his routines. To us college kids, these stories don’t seem appealing or the least bit relatable. But when sitting down and giving them a chance, a good time is to be had. Being able to make a younger audience laugh with tales of adulthood far into our future is a sign of a true talented comedian.

Of course, not all the comedy stand up specials available to stream can be hits. Or maybe it’s just the type of material given. Iliza Shlesinger’s special War Paint was enjoyable but did not reach the level that the other comedians did. Chelsea Handler’s newest special Uganda be Kidding Me received mixed reviews, with many loving it for Handler’s blunt and raunchy comedy style and others finding offense. In the end, it’s all about your personal preference in comedy.

Other comics that have great reviews are audience favorite Kevin Hart, Donald Glover, John Mulaney, Gabriel Iglesias and Bo Burnham. For those that want to spend a night in and can’t decide what to watch next on their seemingly endless list of queued movies and television show, standup comedy and having a good laugh is always a good choice.