Netflix Is A Joke Festival 2026: 10 shows to check out
Netflix Is A Joke Festival returns to Los Angeles next week (May 4 through 10) with a slew of comedy shows throughout the city. We searched through the massive list of shows to pick 10 worth checking out. More information about Netflix Is A Joke Festival can be found here.
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Pee Wee's Playhouse
May 4th 8:00 p.m. show time
The Greek Theatre (tickets)
Very few tickets are left for the 40th anniversary celebration of the beloved children's show Pee Wee's Playhouse. Hosted by Patton Oswalt, the celebration will feature a slew of special guests such as David Arquette and Cheri Oteri as well as comedic and musical performances from acts such as Devo, Puddles Pity Party, and Bob The Drag Queen.
F**k This Month/Holy S**t Improv
May 4th 9:30 p.m. show time
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (tickets)
F**k This Month and Holy S**t Improv will bring their collab show to Netflix Is A Joke Festival. The cast for F**k This Month features Ify Nwadiwe, Jiavani, Jacquis Neal, Eli Gonzalez, Lauren Knutti, and Jeff Whitaker. The lineup for Holy S**t Improv features Kylie Brakeman, Amanda Lehan-Canto, Gareth Reynolds, Gil Ozeri, Kimia Behpoornia, and Casey Feigh. Livestream tickets will also be available for those unable to attend.
Facial Recognition Comedy
May 4th 10:00 p.m. show time
The Hotel Cafe Second Stage (tickets)
Co-founded by Fizaa Dosani, Zahra Ali, and Pallavi Gunalan, Facial Recognition Comedy brings the best comics of South and West Asian descent to clubs in New York City and Los Angeles. Joining the three co-founders on stage for a night of comedy are Aparna Nancherla, Mohanad Elshieky, Kiran Deol, and Aliya Kanani.
Nearly Average Wrestling
May 6th 9:30 p.m. show time
The Three Clubs (tickets)
Nearly Average Wrestling brings a slew of comedians together to show what they've got with cutting promos. With an open mic format, anyone can jump on stage to prove their skills in front of special guests from the wrestling world. Past guests include former AEW Women's World champion Thunder Rosa, former UFC Heavyweight champion Josh Barnett, and former WWE Tag Team champion Paul London. Previous Nearly Average Wrestling shows can be seen on YouTube.
Absurdaverse
May 7th 9:30 p.m. show time
Hollywood Improv - Main Room (tickets)
Absurdaverse will have its world premiere screening of animated shorts at Netflix Is A Joke. The comedic universe from Dan Houser and Lazlow has a slew of projects in the works, including a video game and an animated series. During the event, Absurdaverse cast members Dan Soder, Ari Matti, Yameneika Saunders, Steph Tolev, and Annie Lederman will do stand-up sets. Patton Oswalt will also deliver a special stand-up set. More information about Absurdaverse can be found here. A two-item minimum is enforced for the show.
Grace Bahler's Braided: Standup with a Twist
May 8th 5:00 p.m. show time
The Lyric Hyperion Theater (tickets)
Grace Bahler's Braided will feature three comedians on stage simultaneously delivering rotating micro sets for an hour. Hosted by Maddy Schmidt, the show's lineup will feature Bahler, Carmen Christopher, and Molly Kearney. Few tickets remain for this show.
The Yard Sale Girls
May 8th 11:15 p.m. show time
The Lyric Hyperion Theater (tickets)
While The Yard Sale Girls' 9:30 p.m. show at Lyric Hyperion is sold out, there are still tickets left to catch their 11:15 p.m. performance. The sketch comedy group (Serah Bennett, Micaela Fagan, Becca Marcus, and Sam Speedy) has seen success with sold-out shows across New York and 90 million views of their videos online.
The Midnight Rumble
May 8th 12:00 a.m. show time
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (tickets)
The Midnight Rumble combines comedy and wrestling for an entertaining time at UCB Theatre. Friday's show will feature a six-woman tag team match and another showdown between PJ McCormick and Jacquis Neal.
An Evening with The Bundys: The Married with Children Cast Reunion
May 9th 2:00 p.m. show time
The Orpheum Theatre (tickets)
The cast of the iconic sitcom Married... with Children will reunite for a special event at The Orpheum Theatre. Ed O’Neill, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate, and David Faustino will discuss their favorite moments of the show as well as wild behind-the-scenes antics. There will also be a Q&A session with the audience.
Time to Kill: A Sketch Comedy Show!
May 9th 5:00 p.m. show time
Westside Comedy Theater (tickets)
NYC sketch comedy group Time To Kill will take over the Westside Comedy Theater. This show will feature special guests Michelle Chan Bennett (Vulture), Rachael Burke (The Tonight Show), J. Steven Madura (Cracked.com), Julia Schroeder (Peacock), Channing Tookes ($100,000 Pyramid), and James III (Netflix's Astronomy Club).
Since 2009, MP3s and NPCs owner Terrance Pryor has written about music, conventions, cosplay, and video games for publications such as AXS, Examiner, Fake Walls, and Ranker. Based out of Los Angeles, the former rock concert promoter/radio host can be seen talking about rock music on AXS TV’s Music’s Greatest Mysteries and discussing music and whatever else on their Black Man Talks Rock channel on YouTube.