Best Stand-up Comedy Specials on Netflix (2020)

1. Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin

For the first time in nearly a full year, there is a new No. 1 on our list of the best stand-up comedy on Netflix. The Age of Spin was one of two specials released on March 21 from the legendary comedian who makes his return to the stand-up stage with two specials from his personal vault. This one was filmed at the Palladium in Los Angeles in March of 2016. Chappelle’s return proved he hasn’t lost anything off his fastball and remains the greatest comedian working today. That’s why he claims the top spot in this ranking.

Chappelle took aim at a few different topics, but it mainly was a time for Chappelle to tell four different stories about his encounters with O.J. Simpson. He referenced watching the FX series about the trial of the century and recounted the first time he met him at 18. He was an aspiring comedian and Mr. Juice wished him well. So too, did Nicole Brown Simpson who Chappelle awkwardly referred to as his soon-to-be-slain wife. There was plenty more insensitive comedy after that, but that’s what all comedians do. They say the stuff that normal people won’t and that’s a similar theme for other comedians on this list.

More netflix: 50 Best Comedies on Netflix

I particularly loved Chappelle joking about ditching a fundraiser in Flint, Michigan to go to the Oscars with Chris Rock. There, he pitched made up movie pitches to two producers who loved his ideas, especially the one about a gay superhero and a superhero who has to touch a vagina to activate his superpower. From there, Chappelle makes a hard turn to Bill Cosby and his long list of women alleging they were sexually assaulted by him. Chappelle also mentioned the positive things Cosby and O.J. Simpson did and why people defended them. “He rushed for 11,000 yards.”

I also loved him telling the story about taking his son to see Kevin Hart and how angry it made him. That was comedy gold and clinched him getting the top spot.