A guide to laughing at a distance

They say laughter is the best medicine, and while at wntta we strongly believe MEDICINE, adequate access to testing, and staying the fuck home is the best medicine, we acknowledge that we could all use a tension-relieving gigg at this point. Now, some people are masters at a playlist— they know just the right mix of songs to get you dancing. I’m like that— but with comedy. I love comedy so much, and I’ve put together a list of my absolute favorites to watch, read, and stream while you’re part of The Great Distancing.

To stream on the ‘flix

Kathryn Ryan: Glitter Room

Watch if you need: Light laughs, sharp commentary, feminist sass, and hilarious stories. Come for the Celine Dion bit, stay for the Hamilton rant. Both of Kathryn Ryan’s specials, Glitter Room and In Trouble, are hysterical and necessary at this point in our adventures from the sofa. Also, she’s from Sarnia Ontario, and that’s great.

John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City

Watch if you need: good, clean, hysterical stories to take your mind off of the craziness. Every single one of John Mulaney’s Netflix specials is wonderful, so if you aren’t familiar with his canon, take a few hours and binge-laugh them all. This one is kid friendly.

Leslie Jones: Time Machine

Watch if you need: Silly, loud, and at times, real dirty laughs. Leslie Jones brings big fun energy, hilarious stories and hot tips for your 20s through to your 50s. This one is NOT KID FRIENDLY.

Mike Birbiglia: The New One

Watch if you need: to be seen as a new parent, or if you just love a really well told story and a good good laugh. I love Birbiglia, and this is his most touching and honest special. It’s a raw one about becoming a father, that might jerk some tears. It’s incredibly funny, heart wrenching, and wonderful.

Hannah Gadsby Nannette

Watch if you need: To be absorbed fully in something other than COVID-19. If you have the emotional space for something a bit heavier, but absolutely beautiful and essential. If you need a good cry but also a long belly laugh. Gadsby is a master storyteller, and if you haven’t seen Nannette, take an hour for it when you have the space. It’s not your average standup special, and this one comes with a trigger warning, friends.

Oh, Hello!

Watch if you need: something silly, wonderfully absurd and light as a feather. Nick Kroll and John Mulaney dress up as Gil Fizon and George St Geeglan, two men in their 70s living in Brooklyn. It’s indescribable but trust me, it’s the fucking best. 

To listen

Aparna Nancherla: Just Putting It Out There

Listen if you need: Hilarious and too relatable takes on anxiety, living in the city, and really really funny stories. Nancherla will be next up for a big viral Netflix special, and you’ll be able to say you loved her before she got really big.

Emily Heller: Good For Her

Listen if you need: light, feminist, and very fun comedy. Her other album Heller is a frequent guest on Lovett or Leave It, and sometimes I just tune in to hear her hot takes. This album is from 2015, and it proves that she was never not really really funny.

Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping

Listen if you need: to take the dog for a walk and giggle out loud a lot. This one is also a Netflix special, but I spent a whole day walking around listening to Patton and now I love him in audio form. He has so many comedy albums, and they’re wonderful. Load them into whatever music streaming service you use and escape to his hilarious mind when needed.

To read

Rob Delaney: Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage.

Read if you need: to laugh out loud a lot to a series of true, absurd stories. If you like your comedy with a little heart. If you want to laugh so hard you pee a bit. I have owned this book for years, it’s water stained and folded. I brought it out when COVID—19 started and I’ve read a bit every night, and I’ve laughed every time.

Tina Fey: Bossypants

Read if you like: Feministy hilarity, incredible storytelling, body positivity stuff, an inside look at SNL. I’ve read it at least thrice, and enjoyed it every single read. It felt like she could see 13 year old me, and she wrote her better than I ever could. I quote Fey so often it’s annoying for those around me.

We’ll be adding to this list as The Distancing continues, so when you’re through the giggs, we’ll have more on the way.