10 Comedy Specials by Women to Watch on Netflix This Weekend

If you're a human being with internet access, which I think I can safely assume you are if you're reading this, you're probably familiar with the Louis CK affair. You are probably also aware that a certain cross section of male comedy fans are concerned about the future of comedy if he is held responsible for his actions and ostracized from the comedy community. Well buckle up, bros, because I've got news: Louis CK is not the only comedian on earth. And *gasp* many of the good ones are women. Supporting women in the male-dominated world of comedy is incredibly important right now and with Netflix's comedy specials, it's easy to discover hilarious women of a variety of ages, backgrounds, and comedic styles.

1. Ali Wong: 'Baby Cobra' (2016)

It's not everyday you see a comedian perform stand-up while seven months pregnant. As Wong points out, most women in comedy don't get pregnant and continue their careers. While yes, many of the jokes in this special are about pregnancy, she also jokes about her mother's hoarding habit, Those People in Office Bathrooms, misunderstood stay-at-home moms, and more.

2. Leslie Jones: 'Problem Child' (2009)

Leslie Jones has had an interesting past couple years. After the SNL alum's starring role in last year's Ghostbusters remake, she was the target of an expansive racist harassment campaign on Twitter. She is not slowing down though. Before all this, she performed her first stand-up special showcasing her wonderfully crass comedic style.

3. Kathleen Madigan: 'Bothering Jesus' (2016)

Madigan has developed an "everybody's favorite aunt" brand throughout her years in comedy. She seems like a fun person to have a beer or two with as she jokes about topics like her childhood in a six-child Irish Catholic family in the midwest, her parents' kooky mannerisms as they age, her fascination with the missing Malaysian plane, noodling for catfish, and, yes, bothering Jesus.

4. Cristela Alonzo: 'Lower Classy' (2017)

In her debut comedy special, Alonzo tells stories of the struggles and triumphs of her life as the child of a single, Mexican immigrant mother in Texas with a refreshing, charming sense of humor. It's no secret that we're living in a rough time for Mexican-Americans, which makes situational humor like Alonzo's extra important. Her one-season sitcom, Cristela, is also worth checking out.

5: Mo'nique: 'I Coulda Been Your Cellmate' (2007)

This unique special was performed at a women's prison in Ohio. In it, the iconic comic and actress is as much her proud and sarcastic self as one would expect in a more standard performance. As the title suggests, she regularly acknowledges that she could have been their cellmate because we are all just one bad decision away from ending up in prison. In a society that sees people who have been convicted of crimes as less than human, it is refreshing to see a comic give a group of women in prison some quality entertainment.

6. Garfunkel and Oates: 'Trying to be Special' (2016)

This special follows the musical comedy duo Rikki Lindhome and Kate Miccuci as they put on a show to raise enough money to produce their own Netflix special. Meta, right? In it, they sing about everyday annoyances that plague single women like smug pregnant women, fear of ending up alone, fading away instead of breaking up, not being good at hand jobs, and "god's loophole." Whether you're unfamiliar with the duo or a fan of their IFC series, this special is a cute, quirky, and slightly inappropriate good time.

7. Margaret Cho: 'Psycho' (2017)

Yes, there is a Cho in Psycho. The comedy veteran's most recent special, like her past work that is loved by many, is delightfully raunchy and a ton of fun. Highlights include an impression of Howard Stern at Joan Rivers' funeral, a story about being kicked out of a Korean spa, an anecdote about dildos the size of traffic cones, and a song about having a fat pussy.

8. Maria Bamford: 'Old Baby' (2017)

Netflix describes the "Lady Dynamite" star's special as a "roving comedy special." Like Trying to be Special, it depicts Bamford preparing for and promoting a comedy show. It starts with her performing to herself, cuts to her performing to a small group of people in a house, cuts again to show her performing to a slightly larger group of people on a park bench, cuts again to show her performing to people on a park bench and so on. The setting changes are smoothly edited together to make one continuous piece in which she effectively jokes about very serious topics based on her own experiences. Throughout the scene changes, the quirky, self-deprecating comic becomes increasingly more confident as if the special is a supercut of her entire career.

9. Chelsea Peretti: 'One of the Greats' (2014)

Known for her scene-stealing role as Gina in Brooklyn-99 and marriage to Jordan Peele, who is also incredibly funny and talented, it's no surprise that Peretti's stand-up is remarkable. The special starts with Peretti riding a motorcycle through San Francisco as a voice-over narrates the struggles and triumphs of her comedic career. Alongside the fun yet not particularly deep jokes about social media, vomit, and small talk comes a nuanced takedown of men's hangups with Women in Comedy TM.

10. Morgan Murphy: 'Irish Goodbye' (2014)

Murphy's first and so far only stand-up special showcases her dry humor about her life as a crude woman. She deadpans about abortion, drinking, an innovative teenager on Maury who had sex with a boy for a cheeseburger, and more. She may be crass but she is also surprisingly insightful, like that one sloppy friend with all the great stories.