Yahoo Lifestyle How to Watch Every John Mulaney Stand-Up Special
Over the last decade, John Mulaney has inarguably gone from niche comedian to a household name. From his performances on Saturday Night Live and his voice work in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to a Broadway show and a guest role on The Bear, Mulaney has become a staple of American comedy. and of course, he reigns as one of the most popular comedians in the world, mostly due to his stand-up specials.
Known for his rich storytelling and laser-precise observations, Mulaney continues to raise the bar for modern comedians with every special he releases. From his first in 2009 up through his Netflix talk show John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in LA this summer, he has delivered an impressive body of work.
🤩 📺 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter & get the scoop on the latest TV news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🤩🎥
Before the Big Mouth actor heads back to his SNL stomping grounds this weekend to serve as host for the sixth time (with musical guest Chappell Roan), it feels appropriate to look back at all of the funnyman's comedy specials. Here's every John Mulaney stand-up special and how you can watch it.
Every John Mulaney stand-up special
John Mulaney: The Top Part (2009)
Coming out over 15 years ago, this Comedy Central Presents special (Season 13 Episode 23) put Mulaney on the map, and the fact that he is still putting out specials a decade and a half later proves he has staying power. From his deep-dive dissection of Law & Order: SVU, to stories about the follies of youth basketball, this first special still holds up in 2024 and can be watched with a Paramount+ subscription.
John Mulaney: New in Town (2012)
Mulaney’s sophomore attempt was praised by The A.V. Club, who wrote about the “palpable joy in his immaculately crafted words.” This 2012 special (which can be watched with a subscription from Paramount+, Netflix, or Prime) helped cement him as a comedian who can unpack even the most dicey subject matter with a child-like wonder.
John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid (2015)
The first special in his long-running partnership with Netflix, The Comeback Kid came fresh off the heels of his one-season Fox sitcom, Mulaney, and heralded his return to stand-up after a three-year hiatus. Filmed at the historic Chicago Theatre in 2015, Mulaney used his hour onstage to tackle his French bulldog’s Instagram fame, becoming a full-blown adult, and his family’s history with former president Bill Clinton.
Related: 5 Recent 'SNL' Sketches We'd Like to See Return for Season 50
Oh, Hello on Broadway (2017)
Breaking form from his previous works, Mulaney hit the Broadway stage with fellow comedian and collaborator Nick Kroll in 2016. Based on characters made popular on The Kroll Show, the two embodied elderly men hosting a fake cable access show and interviewing celebrity guests. Luckily, Netflix commissioned a live recording of a night at their Broadway show (featuring guests Steve Martin and Matthew Broderick) so we can relive Oh, Hello in the comfort of our homes.
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (2018)
One of the comedian’s most well-received specials to date, Kid Gorgeous, touts a 100% fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes and garnered praise from publications like The Atlantic, which called Mulaney “one of the biggest powerhouses in comedy today." With work stories about his time at Saturday Night Live and bits the perils of being pre-middle-age, this 2018 Netflix special is one to keep coming back to.
Related: How to Watch Every Nate Bargatze Stand-Up Special
John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019)
Breaking conventions yet again, this musical-heavy variety hour explores the world of children’s entertainment with an adult audience in mind. Drawing on experiences many of us had when we were younger (like playing “restaurant” or performing “plays” for our parents and their friends), Mulaney and his cast of charismatic kids knock this Netflix special out of the park.
John Mulaney: Baby J (2023)
In his fifth special for Netflix, the comedian strayed a bit in tone from his previous works, getting more vulnerable as he delved into his experiences in rehab and his struggles with addiction. His soul-baring work earned largely positive reviews and even an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special.
John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in LA (2024)
This six-episode talk show series was produced for Netflix and aired live over six consecutive nights in the Spring of 2024 when seemingly every funny person in the world was in Los Angeles for the Netflix is a Joke comedy festival. Though not a traditional stand-up special, Mulaney’s opening monologues and special guest stars (like Chelsea Peretti, Sarah Silverman, and Jerry Seinfeld) will keep you laughing and asking for a second season.
Related: One 'SNL' Season 50 Host Is Almost in the Five-Timers Club
