Netflix Is a Joke: Netflix announces first comedy festival
David Farnor | On 07, Mar 2020
Netflix is taking a big step into the events arena with a new comedy festival this May.
Called Netflix Is a Joke, the event will take place in Los Angeles from 27th April to 3rd May, featuring live stand-up shows, special events and panels with Netflix comedians and artists from around the world
Produced by Netflix in association with Live Nation, the star-studded line-up includes Ali Wong, Amy Schumer, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Jamie Foxx, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Kevin Hart, Martin Lawrence, Sebastian Maniscalco, the cast of Schitt’s Creek and more. The fest will also include STAND OUT: An LGBTQ+ Celebration with headliners Alan Carr, Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard and Wanda Sykes.
Anchoring the Netflix is a Joke Fest is the closing night inaugural edition of The Hall, a first-of-its-kind hall of fame honouring the greats of stand-up comedy. Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes and more will pay homage to and induct comedy legends George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Joan Rivers and Robin Williams. The Hall and induction ceremony special were created by award-winning director/producer Marty Callner and producer Randall Gladstein. Callner will direct and executive produce through his Funny Business, Inc. shingle. Gladstein and award winning producer/manager, David Steinberg will also executive produce.The Hall, which will have a physical home in a newly designed wing of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, will be taped at The Ace Theater in Downtown LA for streaming on Netflix later in May.
The festival will take place across over 20 venues in Los Angeles, including the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, Hollywood Palladium, The Largo and more.
“It’s our honor to transform LA for one week into the funniest place on earth,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. “This festival is a unique celebration of the art of comedy, and the role it plays in reflecting our lives and defining culture. It’s a chance for comedy lovers to come together and see their favorite artists as well as discover new ones, and for us to be able to share the electricity and excitement of the festival in Los Angeles with Netflix members around the world.”
Tickets for all events across the festival are now on sale at www.NetflixIsAJokeFest.com, with 11 shows to be recorded and made available to stream worldwide at a later date on Netflix.
Here’s the line-up:
The Hall Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up (available to stream in 2020)
The best comedians of today honoring the greatest stand-up comedians of all-time. With appearances by Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, & Wanda Sykes.
Chappelle’s
An evening of music and comedy featuring Dave Chappelle and very special guests.
Stand Out
An LGBTQ+ celebration at The Greek Theatre (recorded)A Historic Celebration of the best in LGBTQ+ Comedy. Legends, headliners, and top emerging talent will share the same stage at The Greek Theatre for an unforgettable and unprecedented stand-up event with special guests and musical performances. Headliners include Alan Carr, Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard and Wanda Sykes. Presenters include Demi Lovato, Graham Norton, Lily Tomlin, Ruby Rose. Featuring Bianca Del Rio, Fortune Feimster, Gina Yashere, Guy Branum, James Adomian, Joel Kim Booster, Judy Gold, Lea DeLaria, Mae Martin, Marsha Warfield, Matteo Lane, Patti Harrison, Rhea Butcher, Sam Jay, Scott Thompson, Solomon Georgio, Trixie Mattel and more.
That’s My Time with David Letterman (available to stream in 2020)
Legendary late night host David Letterman returns to his roots to showcase some of today’s finest stand up comedians to perform and then join him for a one-of-a-kind interview.
Netflix Is a Joke at the Palladium – Jamie Foxx (available to stream in 2020)
Megastar and Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx hosts this loaded lineup featuring some of his favourite comedians!
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium – Amy Schumer (available to stream in 2020)
Movie star and powerhouse standup Amy Schumer hosts this epic night filled with some of Netflix’s hottest comedians!
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium – Martin Lawrence (available to stream in 2020)
From Def Comedy Jam 25, superstar comedian Martin Lawrence returns to Netflix to host an evening of heavy hitting stand-up.
Netflix Is A Joke at The Palladium – Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin (available to stream in 2020)
Comedy icons and Grace & Frankie stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin host an evening of top notch stand-up from an all-lady lineup.
Live at the Wiltern
Sebastian Maniscalco
Ali Wong: The Milk and Money Tour
2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer (podcast)
The Degenerates Live
Ronny Chieng live
Park Na-rae live
Ken Jeong live
Chelsea Handler live
At the OrpheumAt Wilshire Ebell
Mike Birbiglia live
Congratulations with Chris D’Elia live podcast
Michelle Wolf live
Middleditch & Schwartz improv live
At Palace
Norm Macdonald live
Pete Davidson & Best Friends (available to stream in 2020)
Pete Davidson and his friends are doing stand-up comedy for you and your friends.
Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica (available to stream in 2020)
Los Comediantes de Latinoamérica is a loaded stand up show featuring a who’s who of Latin American comedians. Special guests include Fabrizio Copano, Liss Pereira, Ricardo O’Farrill, and Ricardo Quevedo.
The India All Star Show hosted by Vir Das (available to stream in 2020)
The India All Star Show is jam packed with the best stand up comedians from India featuring performances in both Hindi and English. Special guests include: Aditi Mittal, Amit Tandon, Kanan Gill, Kaneez Surka, Kenny Sebastian, Prashasti Singh, and Sumukhi Suresh.
At the Regent
Marlon Wayans
Russell Howard
Deon Cole
Christina Pazsitzky
Vir Das
At Largo
Jacqueline Novak Get On Your Knees
Jenny Slate
Katherine Ryan
Tom Papa & Fortune Feimster
Whitney Cummings & Friends
Dynasty Typewriter
Cristela Alonzo
Taylor Tomlinson
Catherine Cohen
London Hughes
Mo Gilligan
The Endless Honeymoon with Moshe Kasher & Natasha Leggero (podcast)
The Arsenio Hall Comedy Showcase (recorded for SiriusXM)
Arsenio Hall presents a lineup of the funniest comedians in LA at the legendary Comedy Union.
Improv
Whindersson Nunes & Friends
They Ready Live
Luenell
Improv Lab
Janelle James & Friends
K. Trevor Wilson
Ms. Pat
Laugh Factory
Best of Canada
At the Roosevelt Hotel
Tim Dillon
Chad Goes Deep “Going Deep” (podcast)
At the Belasco
Felipe Esparza
Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell: Season 2 (available to stream in 2020)
Best buds Jeff Ross and Dave Attell are bringing their uncut savagery for an all new season of Bumping Mics. Inviting friends and special guests from all over comedy to hang, riff and roast one another. No mic will go un-bumped.