The Nominees Ranked By Which Should Win:
- Netflix's John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch
- Netflix's Hannah Gadsby: Douglas
- Netflix's Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah
- Netflix's Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones
- Netflix's Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill
- PBS' Dave Chappelle: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
The pre-recorded variety special has seen a boom in recent years. That's largely due to Netflix's ability to lure the top comedians to its platform with lucrative offers. It's hard to reinvent the stand-up comedy special. In fact, it was a genre that was dying out. Netflix saw it as a vital priority though. And so, numerous big names in the industry have gone to the service to perform once more. It's already been a winning formula for Dave Chappelle. He has produced several specials already for the streaming service. John Mulaney, Hannah Gadsby and Jerry Seinfeld are extending their relationships as well. In fact, Netflix is one of the few outlets that would have taken the risk of producing the Sack Lunch Bunch. That's why it's at the top of this list. It was so whimsical and magical while also being outrageously funny. Mulaney's sense of humor may not be for everyone. This format though proves that he is one of the best comedians working today. Hannah Gadsby can also make a play for that title. She won over the world with her first special. She did so once more with her second. The voters truly can't go wrong with any of the nominees. The top two just felt a little more special but it's understandable if the voters go in a different direction.
The Nominees Ranked by Which Will Win:
- Netflix's Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones
- Netflix's Hannah Gadsby: Douglas
- Netflix's John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch
- Netflix's Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill
- Netflix's Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah
- PBS' Dave Chappelle: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Chappelle's work with Netflix has already produced a trophy in this category. He won two years. As such, he has to be seen as the frontrunner. He's a comedian who deserves numerous trophies and shockingly doesn't have that many so far - three Grammys and two Emmys overall. However, some real urgency could be coming Hannah Gadsby's way as well. Her first special was so stunningly brilliant. It felt as if it could have pulled an upset a year ago. It didn't because it was an insanely competitive category with James Corden, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen and Beyoncé. She deserves to be a winner though. This award can be a collective recognition of her talents in this field. She is actually the only performer nominated here who hasn't already won an Emmy. Chappelle, Mulaney, Seinfeld and Haddish have all been victorious in the past. This award would be special because it's the pinnacle of their craft. But the awards they have already won our significant too. The Sack Lunch Bunch could be a real contender as well. That shouldn't be surprising. It stands out in this crowded field. It does so in a different way than the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize ceremony. It boasts an inventive formula that shocks the audience at every possible moment. That winning spirit could absolutely fuel a victory. Again, the voters can't go wrong with any of these nominees. They all can be seen as very deserving.
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with my predictions? Let me know in the comments below!
