The 6 Best Comedy Specials Of 2024 From The Funniest Women
For far too long, comedy was a man’s game.
Although stars like Joan Rivers, Wanda Sykes, Margaret Cho, and more have paved the way for women, many are still trying to get their foot in the door of a male-dominated industry. Luckily for us, several brilliant women released comedy specials in 2024 … and we only have more to look forward to in 2025!
Between Netflix, Max, and self-released specials on YouTube, we are in the age of digital content coming to life. Comedians rise to fame through TikTok and Instagram, release specials online, and then connect with their fans IRL. Because of this, comedy has also evolved. Jokes are punchy and meaningful; comedians are taking risks with joke structure, finding ways to get a point across in an inventive way. While some just watch comedy for the laughs, comedians have always been called modern-day philosophers. And with women losing rights because of the Trump administration, watching female comics is more important than ever. So here are six of the best comedy specials released by women in 2024.
Jacqueline Novak: Get On Your Knees (Netflix)
It’s common for female comics to talk about our love lives and experiences with men — we do live in a patriarchal society so it makes sense to view the world through that lens. But no one does it better than Jacqueline Novak, who finds a new way to talk about giving a blow job and losing her virginity. It’s philosophical comedy in a high-brow style as Jacqueline talks about traditionally “low-brow” topics. Jacqueline is also one of the few comics to get a special on Netflix not because of her name or stardom but genuinely because the live show was so well-reviewed and groundbreaking, Netflix took the risk. And luckily, it paid off.
Hannah Einbender: Everything Must Go (Max)
Hannah Einbender is unafraid to take risks, which is what makes a great comedy special. In Everything Must Go, the Hacks actor puts her full body into getting the joke across, ranging from impersonations to quirky storytelling. She’s easy to love and her comedy is even more enjoyable as she delivers each moment with intention. The show itself is full of the moments that made her who she is: her childhood as a cheerleader-turned-stoner, her experience living with ADHD, her life growing up with a trans sibling. There’s a lot packed into this debut hour, but it’s worth every moment.
Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All (Netflix)
Looking at Taylor Tomlinson as an amateur female comedian in her 30s, it’s easy to think that she “has it all.” But she reminds us in this special that she doesn’t have it all in an honest and vulnerable hour about being single while simultaneously being one of the most successful comedians of her generation. There’s a reason she’s so successful — Taylor is first and foremost an expert joke writer. Packed with punchlines and callbacks, Have It All is still most memorable because of how Taylor opens up beyond just being a comedian. She is a human woman and we all love her for it.
Fern Brady: Autistic Bikini Queen (Netflix)
Fern Brady has been a household name in the United Kingdom, but until her memoir became a bestseller, her fame didn’t extend far beyond. Now, however, she is an easy favorite for the best comedy special of 2024 with Autistic Bikini Queen. If you hate the title, you’ll probably hate the special, but if you love that title, then Fern is for you. She got her autism diagnosis in 2021, and has only just reconciled what that means for her existence. In the special, she dives into topics such as autism, her midlife crisis, religion, sex work, and of course, identity. In her late 30s, Fern is still discovering who she is (aren’t we all?) and is unafraid to share that in this special of smartly written jokes.
Courtney Pauroso: Vanessa 5000 (Dropout)
Comedy has shifted towards the power of clowning, with performers like Natalie Palamides, Zach Zucker, Josh Glanc, and more up-and-comers. Courtney Pauroso is probably one of the most prolific and talented clowns, using every aspect of her physicality to deliver a poignant and hilarious show. She dresses up in a shiny black PVC bra with fishnets and platform boots, portraying “Vanessa 5000,” a sex robot. With moments of audience participation as she stays in character, listening to AI-inspired prompts, Courtney later delves into the dark and poignant places of Vanessa 5000, making the show somehow relevant, hilarious, and still moving.
Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die (Max)
One of 2024’s biggest stars of comedy was Nikki Glaser, whose roast of Tom Brady was so memorable that she garnered enough attention to host the 2025 Golden Globes (which she unequivocally crushed). She’s been on the circuit for years, but 2024 brought her Max special about aging—and dying—amidst existing in a patriarchal world in which women are expected to prolong their legacies through having children. Both political and personal, Nikki connects with her audience through cleverly crafted jokes that are unexpectedly dark considering her sparkly dress. And we love nothing more than a hot woman talking about death.
