The Collective You / Netflix

Netflix Comedy Chiefs on Netflix Is a Joke Fest, Louis C.K. Backlash and the Future of ‘I Think You Should Leave,’ ‘Everybody’s Live’ and More

04 May 2026, 14:42 by Ethan Shanfeld · Variety

Netflix Is a Joke Fest, the biennial event sprawling across Los Angeles, will be taking over venues like the Greek Theatre, Intuit Dome and The Comedy Store from May 4 to 10. Think of a currently performing comic, and they’re probably on the lineup: Shane Gillis hosts a roast of Kevin Hart; John Mulaney headlines the Hollywood Bowl; Flight of the Conchords reunites. They’re joined by Nikki Glaser, Jerry Seinfeld, Katt Williams and many more.

The event is a victory lap for the streamer — which has become the most prominent name in stand-up — as well as a reflection of the talent it has partnered with on the scripted side. Here, Netflix stand-up chief Robbie Praw and scripted comedy boss Tracey Pakosta talk about curating the festival and what’s next on Netflix.

ROBBIE PRAW: I’m excited to see the celebration of Pee-wee Herman. As a “Seinfeld” dork, I’m excited to see Larry [David] and Jerry [Seinfeld] onstage together talking about the show. The roast speaks for itself. As for the wackiest things, I am personally running a 5K for the first time, in front of peers and comedians. That feels like my most questionable choice.

Netflix has invested quite a bit in the podcast space, and podcasts are prevalent at the festival. How has that experiment been going so far?

PRAW: We can’t speak to the whole strategy. The podcast that our group has been working on is “The Pete Davidson Show,” and we’re really happy with how that’s doing. He’s doing two shows that are going to sell out — one with Nikki Glaser, one with John Mulaney.

Is Mulaney going to do another season of “Everybody’s Live”?

PRAW: We don’t think so, no. John is on a big tour. There’s no talk of him doing that right now.

Now that Stephen Colbert is a free agent, have you had any discussions about trying to get him on Netflix in some capacity?

TRACEY PAKOSTA: We haven’t. We talk about how much we love him. We’re big fans of Stephen Colbert and his show, but nothing specific.

What can you tease about the roast?

PRAW: It’s going to be a real night of surprises. You have Shane Gillis hosting and Kevin Hart as the roastee — two of the biggest comedy superstars of all time. Our phones are ringing off the hook with stand-ups wanting to be on that show to roast these guys.

For a while, it seemed like another roast after Tom Brady might not come together. Is it difficult to find an A-list star who’s willing to put themselves in the hot seat?

PAKOSTA: There are people who have no problem being roasted. It did seem like it took a while, but for this festival, after Tom Brady, getting the right person was the goal.

PRAW: There has never been a comedian at Kevin’s level that has been in that hot seat. He’s going to be ruthless at the end of this roast, and I’m excited to see it.

Louis C.K. is headlining the Hollywood Bowl for the festival, and his next special will debut on the streamer. Tell me about the process of getting him back on Netflix?

PRAW: When it comes to Louis, part of the job of my team is we listen to the type of stand-ups people want to see, but we also spend a lot of time looking at who’s selling tickets all around the world. Louis has had a really impressive run for the last two years, and he has a great special right now, so we’re excited to see it on Netflix this summer.

You must have anticipated backlash [given his 2017 sexual misconduct scandal]. How much does that factor into the decision to partner with him?

PRAW: When our members sit and open up Netflix, they have a decision to make of what they want to watch. This is just about giving them an option to see a really popular comedian that they may want to watch who’s still putting out great stuff.

What do you make of Hulu’s push into comedy? They’ve been able to secure big names for specials, some of which I’d imagine you also fought for. Do you view Hulu as a threat?

PAKOSTA: I don’t know about that part, but look, competition is always good because it’s good for the comedy community. It means people are working, getting exposure and getting to tell their stories. I don’t know if it’s working or not for them. I know that we continue to be in business with a lot of the people that were on Netflix that have gone to do specials at Hulu. Because we offer an extension of the stand-up brand for these comedians, we’re able to work simultaneously with them, whether that be on the scripted side, on the feature side, or what have you.

The Marcello Hernández and Feid show is a huge showcase for Spanish-language comedy. What does the global marketplace for comedy look like right now? Are you seeing any interesting trends or emerging markets?

PRAW: What we’re seeing is [not necessarily] emerging markets, but more stand-ups who are successful in the U.S. can now sell everywhere in the world. If you look at people’s tour schedules, it’s a wide array of where they’re able to sell because there’s a pocket of mega-fans everywhere. Comedy has become a real export around the world … mostly through Netflix.

PAKOSTA: When stories — scripted comedy — touch universal themes, they seem to resonate across the globe. It similarly holds true with stand-up. Comics are the most intimate of storytellers, so when something touches somebody, it travels.

PRAW: Marcello may be talking about his mom, but he’s talking about my mom too, and someone’s mom in Japan. Some of those themes are super universal.

Have you spoken to Tim Robinson about doing more “I Think You Should Leave”?

PRAW: I don’t want to speak for Tim, but he has such a deep passion for that show, and we’re obsessed with it. We don’t pressure Tim, but we just know that he loves doing it, and I would imagine at some point he’ll want to do it again.

Is Theo Von still set to tape a special? Last year there were reports that he had done a taping for Netflix but scrapped it.

PRAW: I believe we have a special. I don’t know the exact details, but I believe he is taping a special for us this year.

What is one under-the-radar show at Netflix Is a Joke that is a must-see?

PAKOSTA: Stamptown.

PRAW: I knew you were gonna say that. I was literally about to say Stamptown. It was my biggest belly laugh of the year.