netflix is a joke fest

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Netflix launches its own comedy festival

The biggest names in comedy are slated to appear.

 

Audra Schroeder

Streaming

Posted on Mar 2, 2020   Updated on Jan 28, 2021, 12:23 am CST

Netflix isn’t content with just streaming standup—it’s launching its own comedy festival.

Netflix Is a Joke Fest, set for April 27-May 3 in multiple venues across Los Angeles, is a weeklong gathering of some of the platform’s biggest comedians, including Ali Wong, Dave Chappelle, Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Jerry Seinfeld, David Letterman, and Sarah Silverman.

Other scheduled events include an LGBTQ+ show featuring Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, and Wanda Sykes; an all-women comedy show hosted by Grace and Frankie‘s Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda; a Schitt’s Creek farewell tour; and a comedy hall of fame event honoring George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Joan Rivers, and Robin Williams.

There will also be live tapings of Netflix standup series like The Degenerates and Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross and Dave Attell. Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement that the festival is “a chance for comedy lovers to come together and see their favorite artists as well as discover new ones,” but it’s also another way to pump money into its comedy brand. Though, according to Pete Davidson, Netflix is giving out specials “to everybody” now.

Of course, the whole event will likely be available to stream on Netflix eventually.

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*First Published: Mar 2, 2020, 12:01 pm CST