Building on the buzz of The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille, Showmax is bringing South Africans more reasons to laugh with a lineup of five of HBO’s biggest recent stand-up comedy specials.
Laughter isn’t just good for the soul — it’s scientifically proven to be good for your health. It reduces stress, boosts your immune system, eases pain, relaxes your muscles, and may even help lower your blood pressure.
Here are 5 Stand-up Comedy Sets You Can Stream on Showmax
1. Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking – Streaming on Showmax from Friday, 23 May 2025
In his first HBO stand-up special, Emmy-winning writer and Saturday Night Live alum Seth Meyers shares his dry wit and sharp storytelling on fatherhood, marriage, and New York City life. Known for hosting Late Night with Seth Meyers, he takes a personal turn in Dad Man Walking, a performance that earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television.
Watch the trailer for the set below:
2. Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die – Already available to stream on Showmax
Comedian Nikki Glaser lays it all bare in this no-holds-barred special, tackling everything from not wanting kids and the awkwardness of ageing to sexual fantasies and her own funeral plans.
Someday You’ll Die won the 2025 Writers Guild of America Award and received Emmy, Golden Globe, and Grammy nominations. Glaser, who hosted the 2025 Golden Globes, is set to return for the 2026 ceremony.
Watch the trailer for the set below:
3. Alex Edelman: Just For Us – Available to stream on Showmax already
Based on his Tony Award-winning Broadway show, Just For Us follows Alex Edelman as he infiltrates a white nationalist meeting after receiving anti-Semitic messages online.
What unfolds is a brilliant, hilarious, and thought-provoking special that won the 2024 Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special. The Washington Post described it as “diamond-cut perfection” and praised Edelman as one of the funniest minds of his generation.
Watch the trailer for the set below:
4. Ramy Youssef: More Feelings – Available to stream on Showmax
Ramy Youssef returns to the stage with a thoughtful and often hilarious exploration of life in a divided world.
From the perils of charitable giving to deeper reflections on identity, More Feelings showcases Youssef’s talent for blending humor with sincerity.
Previously nominated for multiple Emmys, Youssef also starred in Poor Things and The Bear, and will soon appear alongside Steve Carell in Mountainhead, premiering on Showmax in June 2025.
Check out the trailer for the comedy set below:
5. John Early: Now More Than Ever – Available to stream on Showmax
John Early’s first HBO special brings stand-up, musical theatre flair, and 70s rockumentary energy together in one unforgettable performance.
Featuring covers of songs by artists from Britney Spears to Neil Young, plus mockumentary-style backstage antics, Now More Than Ever received nominations for both the 2024 Emmy and Critics Choice Award, and earned a 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Watch the trailer for the set below:
There’s More Laughs Where This Comes From
In addition to these recent stand-up gems, Showmax also features comedy specials from legends like Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, Ellen DeGeneres, Will Ferrell, Bill Maher, Tig Notaro, Sam Jay, and Yvonne Orji.
Whether you’re in the mood for sharp social commentary or laugh-out-loud life lessons, Showmax has something to make everyone crack a smile. Start streaming now at showmax.com/za.
Watch this space for updates in the Entertainment category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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