Comedy news
The day's comedy news in a few lines each: new specials, tours, casting, podcasts, festivals and more. Every item links to the outlets that reported it (BBC News, Billboard, Deadline, Decider, Esquire, Los Angeles Times, NME, Slate, TV Insider, The A.V. Club, The Guardian, The Hollywood Reporter and others). Updated three times a day.
- Jo Koy discusses his Netflix special 'Blue in the Face,' taped in Stockton (November 12, 2026). Jo Koy talks about filming his new Netflix special over two sold-out arena shows in Stockton, California, his first time performing in the city. He says he researched the city's Filipino history before taping. Via Variety.
- Letterkenny cast plans a month of live shows on the road (November 12, 2026). The cast of the Canadian comedy series Letterkenny is reuniting for a month of live shows. Via The A.V. Club.
- Tim Allen reunites with Last Man Standing co-stars on the Shifting Gears set (November 12, 2026). Tim Allen has been joined on the set of Shifting Gears by two former Last Man Standing co-stars, one of whom, Molly McCook, shared behind-the-scenes photos. It is unclear whether they will appear in Season 3. Via TV Insider.
- Kimmel tops October late-night ratings while Fallon's Tonight Show slips (November 12, 2026). Nielsen Live+7 data for October show Jimmy Kimmel Live averaging just over 3 million total viewers. NBC's Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon posted disappointing numbers. Via TV Insider.
- Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish revive The Adam and Joe Show on stage (November 12, 2026). Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish reunited for a live show based on their 1990s TV series. They discussed the parodies involved, including a toys' version of the Odyssey. Via The Guardian.
- Netflix announces documentary 'Russell Brand: Open Secret' days after his sentencing (November 12, 2026). Netflix has revealed a documentary on Russell Brand, directed by Olivia Isaacs and produced by 72 Films, the company behind a Jimmy Savile documentary. It comes days after Brand received a 10-year-and-six-month prison term for rape and sexual assault. Via Variety, NME, Vulture.
- Desi Lydic criticizes Democrats who skipped the Hegseth impeachment vote (November 12, 2026). On The Daily Show, host Desi Lydic joked about Democrats who missed the vote on impeaching Pete Hegseth, saying someone was finally going after him and not only over child support. Via The New York Times.
- Stand-up comic and 'Yes, Dear' star Anthony Clark dies at 62 (November 12, 2026). Anthony Clark, who began as a stand-up comedian and went on to star in the CBS sitcom 'Yes, Dear', has died at 62. Co-star Mike O'Malley announced the news and it is understood he died of pneumonia complications. Via Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, TV Insider, Variety, Vulture, The A.V. Club, The New York Times.
- Meta removes Russell Brand's Instagram account after his rape conviction (November 12, 2026). Russell Brand said on X that Meta disabled his Instagram account, sharing a screenshot of a message saying the account did not follow its rules. The removal comes a week after his conviction for rape in London. Via Variety, BBC News.
- Jimmy Kimmel Live draws 2.4 million viewers on midterm election night (November 12, 2026). The Tuesday midterm election episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live reached 2.4 million viewers on ABC, per Nielsen. It is the show's highest rating for a midterm election telecast and up 53% from its November 2022 midterm episode. Via Variety.
- Adam Conover discusses personal material in his special 'Big Divorce Energy' (November 11, 2026). Adam Conover talks about his stand-up special 'Big Divorce Energy,' which moves into more personal territory than his past work. He also discusses his concerns about the effects of Hollywood mergers. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
- Beck Bennett to star in FX ski resort comedy from fellow SNL alums (November 11, 2026). FX is developing a half-hour comedy with Beck Bennett, Anna Drezen and Paul Briganti, all Saturday Night Live alums. Bennett would play a disgraced Olympic skier who has to rescue his family's struggling Aspen resort. Via Deadline.
- SNL reaches a two-year ratings high with Druski hosting the Nov. 7 episode (November 11, 2026). The Nov. 7 episode of Saturday Night Live, hosted by Druski, drew its biggest audience in two years. The show also benefited from a large college football lead-in. Via The A.V. Club, The Hollywood Reporter.
- Janelle James talks fame, fan encounters and her Netflix special 'How Romantic' (November 11, 2026). In an interview, the Abbott Elementary actress and stand-up discusses unsettling fan encounters at the supermarket and the topics in her Netflix special How Romantic. She also compares her Ava character to Steve Urkel. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
- Former 'Roseanne' head writer says Roseanne Barr was frightened by her fame (November 11, 2026). Danny Jacobson, who wrote for the first two seasons of the sitcom in 1988-89, says he sensed fear beneath Barr's confident on-screen persona as she rose from a modestly known stand-up to a star. Via TV Insider.
- Ania Magliano adds 2027 U.S. dates for her stand-up show 'Peach Fuzz' (November 11, 2026). The 'SNL UK' Weekend Update co-anchor is bringing her stand-up show to American audiences and has added new 2027 dates after selling out several shows in New York. Via Variety.
- Netflix will keep Russell Brand's stand-up special but hide it from subscribers (November 11, 2026). Netflix says it will not take down Russell Brand's stand-up special after his convictions. The streamer plans to make it less visible to subscribers, citing member choice and control. Via NME, Deadline.
- Police confirm they told Russell Brand to leave Jemima Goldsmith's home in 2014 (November 11, 2026). Police have confirmed they asked Russell Brand to leave his ex-girlfriend Jemima Goldsmith's house in 2014 after she reported an alleged assault. Via BBC News.
- Jonathan Ross explains his 2004 British Comedy Awards joke about David Walliams (November 11, 2026). Jonathan Ross has addressed a joke he made at the 2004 British Comedy Awards that was cited in reporting on allegations against David Walliams. He has faced criticism over his past association with Walliams and Russell Brand. Via Deadline, NME, BBC News.
- Lucy Beaumont fears TV blacklisting after speaking out about David Walliams (November 11, 2026). Comedian Lucy Beaumont told Sky News she was one of the whistleblowers regarding David Walliams and worries she has put her television career at risk by speaking out. Via Deadline, NME.
- Jimmy Kimmel mocks Trump for phoning into a live C-SPAN show (November 11, 2026). On his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel ridiculed President Trump for calling in live to a C-SPAN program, saying the president has nothing better to do. Via The New York Times.
- JoBe Cerny, Second City alum and Pillsbury Doughboy voice, dies at 78 (November 10, 2026). JoBe Cerny, an actor and director who came up through Second City, has died at 78. He voiced the Pillsbury Doughboy and directed the audio Bible production The Word of Promise. Via The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, The A.V. Club.
- Nicole Byer to host ABC series where contestants try to hide Shaquille O'Neal (November 10, 2026). ABC is developing a competition show in which eight contestants try to conceal Shaquille O'Neal in plain sight around Dallas. Comedian Nicole Byer will host the series. Via Variety.
- Amy Poehler returns to TV in 'Dig' from 'Parks and Rec' creator Mike Schur (November 10, 2026). Amy Poehler discusses her first TV series since Parks and Recreation, a new show from Mike Schur about archaeologists on a dig in Greece. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
- Will Ferrell shows up as Buddy the Elf to heckle Andy Richter on Kimmel (November 10, 2026). Will Ferrell appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in his Buddy the Elf outfit to tease Elf costar Andy Richter about Richter's new oral history of the film. Via The A.V. Club.
- Bobby Moynihan offers his ideas for future 'Reggie Dinkins' storylines (November 10, 2026). In a Vulture interview, Bobby Moynihan pitches where the plotlines of Reggie Dinkins could go next, including how the characters Rusty, Monica and Erika might end up. Via Vulture.
- David Walliams loses appeal to stay anonymous in sexual abuse proceedings (November 10, 2026). The Little Britain star and children's author has been named as the anonymous celebrity in sexual abuse proceedings after losing his appeal to keep his identity secret. Via The A.V. Club, BBC News.
- Russell Brand starts 10-year prison term after rape and sexual assault convictions (November 10, 2026). Russell Brand was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in London for one rape and three sexual assaults. The judge addressed him directly during sentencing. Via Variety.
- Independent Talent Group drops David Walliams after grooming and harassment claims (November 10, 2026). The talent agency said it no longer represents David Walliams in any capacity. It cited being deeply disturbed by the allegations of grooming and harassment against him. Via Variety.
- BBC pulls David Walliams programmes, including Little Britain, from its streaming service (November 10, 2026). The BBC is taking shows that star or were written by David Walliams off its streaming platform. The move follows the Guardian's publication of allegations that he groomed fans. Via Variety.
- Nurse John announces 2027 leg of his Against Medical Advice tour (November 10, 2026). Stand-up comedian and social media creator Nurse John will launch the second leg of the "Against Medical Advice: Readmitted Tour" in January, starting in Arizona and including Vancouver. The first leg sold more than 75,000 tickets. Via Variety.
- Jon Stewart mocks conservatives' reaction to the midterm results on The Daily Show (November 10, 2026). Jon Stewart used The Daily Show to go through conservative commentators' reactions to the midterm losses. He noted that even 60 Minutes was needling Trump's side. Via The A.V. Club.
- David Walliams accused of pursuing young fans for sex; he denies breaking the law (November 10, 2026). A report alleges that comedian and author David Walliams preyed on young fans. Walliams says he is not a sexual predator and has not broken the law. Via NME, Vulture, BBC News, TV Insider.
- Janelle James of 'Abbott Elementary' debuts her first stand-up special (November 10, 2026). Janelle James, who stars in Abbott Elementary, is releasing her first stand-up special, listed among Tuesday's notable TV. Via TV Insider.
- Met Police investigating several reports about Russell Brand after his conviction (November 10, 2026). A detective superintendent said the force received several reports about Brand during the trial and since it ended. Police are investigating them. Via BBC News.
- Late-night hosts joke about Trump saying he doesn't want to go to hell (November 10, 2026). After Trump told "60 Minutes" he hopes to avoid hell, late-night hosts riffed on the remark. Jimmy Fallon joked that America wondered where it had been living for the past three years. Via The New York Times.
- Jon Stewart returns to The Daily Show and picks apart Trump's 60 Minutes interview (November 10, 2026). Back at the desk after last week's midterms, Jon Stewart celebrated the Democratic gains and then turned to Trump's Sunday 60 Minutes interview with Ross Douthat. Via Variety.
- Rhea Seehorn joins Apple's 'Stick' in a clip with Owen Wilson and Marc Maron (November 9, 2026). TV Insider has a first-look clip of Rhea Seehorn arriving as Amanda in the Apple TV comedy 'Stick'. In it, she questions why Owen Wilson's Pryce, Marc Maron's Mitts and Timothy Olyphant's Clark have turned up. Via TV Insider.
- Prime Video sets 'Overcompensating' Season 2 release date; Benito Skinner shares plot details (November 9, 2026). Prime Video's 'Overcompensating' returns for a second season about two years after its debut. Creator and star Benito Skinner also revealed new details about Benny's next semester at Yates University. Via TV Insider, Deadline, The A.V. Club.
- Bobby Moynihan, Aristotle Athari and Taran Killam launch collectibles podcast 'On Display' (November 9, 2026). The three Saturday Night Live alumni have started a new podcast about their love of collecting, from comic books to action figures. Each week a celebrity guest joins them, and the first episode is out now. Via Deadline.
- Chris Rock's film 'Misty Green' lands on Netflix after a month in a few theaters (November 9, 2026). Chris Rock's movie 'Misty Green' is now streaming on Netflix following about a month in limited theatrical release. Via Decider.
- Gary Gulman's one-man show 'Grandiloquent' becomes an HBO special in December (November 9, 2026). Gary Gulman's theatrical one-man show Grandiloquent will air as an HBO comedy special in December and stream on HBO Max. In it, the 56-year-old tells stories from his childhood and formative experiences. Via Variety.
- Druski stars in SNL parody of 'You Can See Everything' reviving an Eddie Murphy bit (November 9, 2026). Saturday Night Live aired a You Can See Everything parody featuring Druski that brings back a classic Eddie Murphy bit, according to Esquire. Via Esquire.
- Ariana Grande, Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro interrupt Jimmy Fallon's monologue (November 9, 2026). The three surprised Fallon on Sunday's Tonight Show to promote their holiday film Focker-In-Law, the sequel to Little Fockers. It opens in theaters November 25. Via Deadline, Variety.
- John Oliver tells incoming Democratic Congress to remove Pete Hegseth (November 9, 2026). On Last Week Tonight, John Oliver delivered a blunt message to incoming Democratic lawmakers about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, urging them to get rid of him. Via The A.V. Club.
- Russell Brand's Channel 4 victim says network ignored her complaint (November 9, 2026). The woman Russell Brand was convicted of assaulting in 2009, while she worked for Channel 4, has criticized the broadcaster for dismissing her complaint. Brand hosted Big Brother's Big Mouth for the network. Via Deadline.
- John Oliver uses Last Week Tonight to mock Elon Musk and Haley Stevens after midterms (November 9, 2026). On Sunday's Last Week Tonight, John Oliver reacted to the Democrats' big midterm wins and took aim at Elon Musk and Haley Stevens as losers of the election. Via Variety.
- Druski becomes first digital creator to host SNL, with star-filled curtain call (November 8, 2026). Comedian Druski hosted Saturday Night Live as the first digital creator to do so. Guests at the closing curtain call included Emma Stone, Michael B. Jordan, Austin Butler, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Danny Goggins and Sen.-elect James Talarico. Via Deadline, Slate.
- Benito Skinner says Overcompensating Season 2 will lean into 2016 'hopecore' (November 8, 2026). Benito Skinner, creator and star of Overcompensating, said the Prime Video series' second season will take a 2016 millennial 'hopecore' approach to its decade setting. He thanked viewers for waiting and said he hopes they like it. Via Deadline.
- SNL Weekend Update has a Jeremy Culhane-played Elon Musk react to midterm losses (November 8, 2026). Jeremy Culhane played Elon Musk at the Weekend Update desk on Saturday Night Live, addressing the midterm results. The real Musk spent nearly $500 million backing Republican candidates. Via Variety, TV Insider, Deadline.
- Druski plays Elizabeth Holmes in whiteface in SNL sketch parody (November 8, 2026). In his SNL debut as host, Druski appeared as Elizabeth Holmes in a sketch titled 'Dru Can See Everything'. It spoofs the Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim documentary. Via Deadline, The A.V. Club, Vulture.
- Texas Senator-elect James Talarico makes surprise appearance in SNL cold open (November 8, 2026). Newly elected Texas Sen. James Talarico appeared in Saturday Night Live's cold open after the midterms, confronting James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump. He joked about how often the show relies on the Trump impression. Via Deadline, Variety, Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, TV Insider, The A.V. Club, The New York Times.
- Bill Maher mocks Trump after midterms, asking 'Donnie, are you OK?' (November 7, 2026). Variety reports on Bill Maher's post-midterm commentary on Real Time, where he teased Trump about the election results. The piece contrasts Maher with HBO colleague John Oliver and notes Maher's recent dinner at the White House. Via Variety, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, TV Insider.
- Skydance is bringing Larry the Cable Guy back (November 7, 2026). The A.V. Club reports that Skydance is set to give Larry the Cable Guy a return to the screen. The outlet's teaser does not say which project is involved. Via The A.V. Club.
- Chloe Petts says she already misses filming Taskmaster (November 6, 2026). In an interview, comedian Chloe Petts says her team drove them 'absolutely mad' while filming Taskmaster, and that they now wish they could relive it. Via Vulture.
- Netflix's SCTV catalog highlights John Candy, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy and Andrea Martin (November 6, 2026). The Canadian sketch series SCTV is now streaming on Netflix. A New York Times guide points viewers to the show's standout comedians, including Candy, O'Hara, Levy and Martin. Via The New York Times.
- BBC analysis: how 2000s lad culture let Russell Brand hide in plain sight (November 6, 2026). The BBC's media editor Katie Razzall examines how the lad culture of the 2000s formed the backdrop to Russell Brand's prosecution and also helped raise his profile. Via BBC News.
- Police interview video of Russell Brand released after guilty verdict (November 6, 2026). Footage of Russell Brand's police interview has been made public after his conviction. In it he speaks of having had countless sexual encounters. He remains under investigation over two further rape allegations. Via NME.
- New York Comedy Festival: 10 shows worth catching, from Chappelle to Olivia Carter (November 6, 2026). The New York Times picks ten shows at the New York Comedy Festival. The list spans headliners such as Dave Chappelle and Marc Maron and rising acts such as Olivia Carter. Via The New York Times.
- New SNL promos show Druski trying to take The Strokes' musical guest slot (November 6, 2026). In new promos for his first time hosting Saturday Night Live, Druski plays an electric guitar solo and asks The Strokes whether he can do this. The band is the episode's musical guest. Via Billboard.
Updated November 12, 2026.