Good One The Best Stand Up Specials of the Year
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Dec 18, 2025 
Join Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture's keen-eyed critic known for her annual rankings, as she dives deep into this year's best stand-up specials. Discover the importance of timing and how it impacts visibility. Kathryn highlights standout performances, from Jordan Jensen's brave storytelling to Earthquake's bold political humor. Bill Burr's evolution and the uniqueness of Natasha Lyonne's visual comedy are examined. Plus, hear about the surprising craft of Ian Edwards and Steph Tolev's joyfully filthy debut. It's an insightful look into the art of comedy!
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Jordan Jensen's Autofictionally Intense Hour
- Kathryn describes Jordan Jensen's Take Me With You as autofiction that is as funny as it is unsettling.
- Jesse and Kathryn both note the special repeatedly assaults the audience with taboo material about her father.
Mastery Lets Political Comedy Land
- Earthquake's Joke Telling Business demonstrates mastery through a repeated catchphrase and political conviction.
- Confident political stand-up can still be artistically satisfying when the comedian owns their instrument.
Rewriting The Obvious Into The Unexpected
- Ian Edwards turned hackneyed premises like airplane jokes into surprising, fresh routes through clever writing.
- Kathryn urged comedians to study his approach to avoid obvious punchlines.
