'I could watch this a thousand times and never get sick of it'

Riki Lindhome picks her comedy favourites

As Riki Lindhome, of Garfunkel and Oates, prepares to make her solo Edinburgh Fringe debut next week she shares her Perfect Playlist of comedy favourites…

Tig Notaro’s Taylor Dayne story

The hardest part about this one for me was picking a favourite thing of Tig’s. Everything she says makes me laugh. Tig has so many great specials.There’s also her legendary 2012 Largo set where she begins with: ‘Hello, I have cancer.’

But if I have to pick one thing, I’m going to say Tig’s Taylor Dayne story. I’ve seen her do it live many times and every time, I laughed like it was the first time I heard it. From her deadpan delivery to the slow, deliberate pacing that makes you wait for her to casually drop the next, even funnier detail, I could watch this a thousand times and never get sick of it.

Ali Wong: Don Wong

I love all of Ali’s comedy specials. But to me, Don Wong is masterful. Her delivery is pointed, hysterical and relentless from start to finish. She’s fearless in the way she tackles subjects like the expectations placed on women and the complexities of monogamy.

My two favourite parts are the bit about money, power and respect and the line about the birdcage (if you know, you know).

Jay Jurden at the Comedy Cellar

One of my favourite things to do is go on Jay’s Instagram and watch Reels of his stand-up. Not only is he hilarious, but he just kind of radiates joy.

He tackles topics like politics, race and sexuality with a lightness that belies its depth. I was trying to choose between this clip and his comedy album, JayJurden Y’all, but I ended up choosing the clip because of the insane amount of people I’ve sent it to.

@comedycellarusa Why @jayjurden loves #genz. #comedy #gay #jokes #comedycellar #standup #harrystyles #fyp ♬ original sound - ComedyCellarUSA

Beth Stelling: Girl Daddy

I’ve watched both of Beth’s stand-up specials multiple times. Beth has a laid-back, measured delivery that kind of lulls you in before she talks about the weightiest subjects. I’ve never seen someone tackle the subject of sexual assault as deftly as Beth does in Girl Daddy. The entire special is brilliant but my favourite part is when she’s talking about due process in the American legal system.

Naomi Ekperigin on 2 Dope Queens

Naomi is one of my favourite stand-ups. She can flip between the most mundane topics and the most serious topics and make both equally funny. Her Netflix special is hilarious, and I loved her set on That’s My Time With David Letterman.

But if I can only choose one thing of Naomi’s, I think my favourite is the set she did on2 Dope Queens, talking about how America is inthe ‘coughing blood into rag’ part of the movie.

@blacktresscomedy #fyp #standupcomedy #naomiekperigin #endtimes #2dopequeens #HBO #womencomedians #americanhorrorstory ♬ original sound - Naomi Ekperigin

• Riki Lindhome: Dead Inside will be performed at Pleasance Courtyard at 5pm during the Edinburgh Fringe.

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Published: 26 Jul 2024