The hot, stinking stench of summer is upon us, but if, like me, you’re susceptible to sunburns and generally find this to be an overrated season, maybe it’s time to decamp to the shelter of the indoors—and while you’re at it, there are plenty of comedy specials and albums to enjoy in the cool safety of your home. We’ve already seen some impressive releases this year, which you can explore in our list of the best comedy specials of 2024 (so far).
July has even more stand-up for us to consume, but we’re not necessarily excited about everything. Former tennis player and Summer House star Hannah Berner is putting out her Netflix special We Ride at Dawn, and while I’m sure her fans will love it, the way I feel about TV personalities branching out into comedy is the same way my friend with an English PhD feels about celebrities writing books: DON’T DO IT. Then there’s Sam Morril’s upcoming special on Amazon; Morril is undoubtedly a great comic, but his penchant for reactionary material in recent years has undercut his talent.
Thankfully, though, there are five comedy specials and albums out in July that we’re especially looking forward to. Check them out below, listed in chronological order:
Francisco Ramos: Venezuela’Merican
Where to stream: YouTube and wherever you listen to comedy
Release date: July 9
No one does cheerful ribbing like Francisco Ramos. As you might have guessed from his special’s title, Ramos was born in Venezuela, but moved to the United States when he was 12. His comedy often dives into the cultural differences he notices as someone who’s lived here most of his life but is proud of the resourcefulness he gained growing up in a country where over half the population live in poverty. We’re expecting plenty of eagle-eyed observations and playfully combative crowd work from Ramos.
Josh Glanc: Vrooom Vrooom
Where to stream: 800 Pound Gorilla and wherever you listen to comedy
Release date: July 12
Now for some thunder from down under. Josh Glanc has sold out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, but come July 12 viewers at home also get to enjoy his sketches and generally off-the-wall sense of humor. Glanc’s work leans heavily into the absurd, making his former career as a corporate lawyer all the more difficult to comprehend.
Katie Bowman: Neurodivergent Nightmare
Where to stream: Wherever you listen to comedy
Release date: July 12
Besides being a talented visual artist, Katie Bowman is a Denver-based comedian and self-dubbed “neurodivergent nightmare.” She’s releasing her debut album this month via Burn This Records, and the LP is replete with jokes about being diagnosed with ADHD as a kid, working at Planned Parenthood, withstanding their dad’s resentment of their tattoos (same), and plenty more.
Laura Merli: Belly Slappin’ Fun
Where to stream: YouTube
Release date: July 18
Laura Merli didn’t start stand-up until she was in her late 20s, and now, eight years in, she’s releasing her debut comedy special. Her half hour consists mostly of non-sequiturs and seemingly random observations in a distinctively disjointed, hilarious style inspired by Mitch Hedberg and Maria Bamford. Her goofiness is matched only by her openness, as Merli delves into her ADHD, medication, sex, and loads more in just 30 minutes.
Franqi French: Let Me Be Franq
Where to stream: YouTube and wherever you listen to comedy
Release date: July 23
We’ve all heard tales of just how unpredictable and wild the Big Apple can be, and New Yorker Franqi French fully embraces that in her new special Let Me Be Franq, particularly when she weaves a colorful yarn about a man pleasuring himself on the subway. Franq’s emphatic delivery and keen comedic timing bring her jokes to the next level—and it sure doesn’t hurt that she’s got an amazing singing voice as well.
Clare Martin is a cemetery enthusiast and Paste’s assistant comedy editor. Go harass her on Twitter @theclaremartin.
