2 can’t-miss stand-up comedy specials hitting Netflix before may wraps up

We all need a good laugh, don't we? What is laughter but a release of stress? We know life can be full of bad stuff. Thankfully, we have professionals who can help with that.

And I am not talking about therapists. Mental health professionals are needed and helpful, but we can augment that with stand-up comedians. They will take your mind off things for an hour or so if they are good at their work.

Coming in May are two comedians at the top of their games. They approach comedy differently, but there are lots of hidden similarities. Ultimately, both are going to make you giggle.

These 2 stand-up specials arriving in May should be must-watch for Netflix fans

Sarah Silverman: PostMortem - May 20

This one won't be for the kiddos. Silverman is not afraid to offend, but she never does so from meanness. She isn't trying to truly poke fun at a whole group of people, though she might sometimes target a single well-known individual. There is no doubt about her politics, and she leans into it.

There is a chance this special is a bit more tempered. The comedian talks about the death of her parents and how she dealt with that. Don't expect a lot of long, sad monologues, however. She is going to mine those memories for the funny.

But if you are put off by foul language, avoid this one. If you don't mind the intentional crudeness, it will be a can't-miss.

Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life - May 26

Birbiglia is less dry than Nate Bargatze, but the sentimentality is close. Both observational comics rely on the story's arc to be funny instead of adding crassness and foul language. Even when Birbiglia does, it's never overwhelming and used for effect.

Few comedians are as open about their personal lives as Bigbigs. At times, he intentionally strays from even being funny. He wants you to know him and see where he finds the humor in the shadows rather than stand apart from what makes him funny.

His latest outing finds him seemingly more of the same. He talks about being a son and a father and will have moments of silliness, but that is because life can be silly. His crowd interaction is also elite. Beware, though, if you watch this stand-up special, you will nearly immediately want to seek out what else Birbiglia has produced.

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