10 Comedians You Should Know in 2026

Funny people. Questionable career choices.

Finding a comedian before everyone in your group chat starts sending their clips is one of the few remaining forms of cultural superiority.

Netflix’s 2026 The Shortlist showcase gives us a useful starting point. Netflix says the May showcase at The Comedy Store featured 10 nationally touring comedians selected as emerging talent. Source: Netflix Tudum.

1. Comedian CP

Chris Powell is a writer and performer whose special Sunday After Six debuted in 2025. Netflix also notes his television writing work.

2. Ethan Simmons-Patterson

A Comedy Central-featured comedian and regular at New York’s Comedy Cellar: national exposure plus the nightly pressure cooker of a major comedy club.

3. Gabby Bryan

A New York stand-up comedian, actress, podcaster and Emmy-winning producer. Netflix notes her Gabby Bryan Is My Best Friend tour has played sold-out crowds in the U.S. and U.K.

4. Lucas Zelnick

A New York comedian featured on Comedy Central and in film projects, representing the generation that can build a large audience online while still grinding through live rooms.

5. Maddie Wiener

Wiener has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and filmed sets for Comedy Central and Don’t Tell Comedy. Several different comedy ecosystems have already noticed.

6. Opey Olagbaju

An L.A.-based stand-up with television writing credits and recognition from Vulture, according to Netflix.

7. Peter Revello

A New York stand-up comedian, actor and writer who made his late-night debut on The Tonight Show and has appeared on Comics Unleashed.

8. Shapel Lacey

A Comedy Store regular who co-hosts the YouTube series Cooked in the Comments. Club reps plus internet fluency is becoming a very normal comedy résumé.

9. Sophie Buddle

A stand-up comedian, television writer and podcaster who served as head monologue writer for CBS’s After Midnight and has appeared on major late-night shows.

10. Zach Noe Towers

A comedian, actor and writer with television credits including Dear White People, Nightly Pop and Dating #NoFilter.

Why This List Matters

The next generation of comedy is not coming from one place. It is coming from clubs, podcasts, writing rooms, YouTube, touring, late night and short-form video simultaneously.

Your new favorite comedian may already have ten years of experience by the time the algorithm finally introduces you.

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