Variety names ten stand-ups to follow in 2026
The annual list includes performers like Wally Baram and Olivia Carter, who will showcase their work at a New York City festival this month.
By Alessia Desai ·
Variety has released its annual list of the 10 Comics to Watch for 2026, identifying ten performers it predicts will shape the industry in the coming year.
The publication has maintained this tradition since 2000. Early lists featured Zach Galifianakis, Maria Bamford, Patton Oswalt, and Louis C.K. More recent selections include Nate Bargatze, Nikki Glaser, and Ayo Edebiri.
The 2026 lineup includes Wally Baram, Olivia Carter, Aaron Chen, Adam Friedland, Kyle Gordon, Shapel Lacey, Eilise Patton, and Lucas Zelnick. The list reflects a mix of television actors, viral video stars, and traditional stand-ups. Baram is known for her role in the series Overcompensating, while Zelnick has built a following through crowd work clips online.
Kyle Gordon, a musical satirist, is described in the report as a millennial version of Weird Al Yankovic. His albums are titled Kyle Gordon is Everywhere, Kyle Gordon is Great, and Kyle Gordon is Wonderful. He writes songs that range from upbeat to dark, including tracks named Crawl to Me and Irish Drinking Song.
Each selection is accompanied by a short endorsement from a veteran comedian. Nikki Glaser wrote about Carter, noting that Carter has found her voice despite being only six years into her career. Glaser recalled watching Carter on the Netflix show Funny AF, where Carter performed jokes on topics she was told to avoid.
Benito Skinner, who worked with Baram on Overcompensating, described their first meeting on a video call. He mentioned that Baram had a pet boa constrictor named Jersey Mike that moved in the background of the screen. Skinner said he knew immediately that Baram was the right choice for the role of Carmen.
Ali Wong endorsed Aaron Chen, citing a clip from the 2019 Melbourne Comedy Festival. Wong called Chen’s delivery quiet and calm. Chen, in his own bio, noted that he once bombed at a private club for wealthy elites where the audience was distracted by internal rituals.
The ten comics will perform together at the New York Comedy Festival. The showcase is scheduled for November 12 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Times Square. Tickets are available through the festival’s website.
The list serves as a guide for audiences and industry professionals looking to discover new talent. The selection process involves reviewing live performances, online content, and television appearances. The 2026 group represents a diverse range of comedic styles, from dry wit to musical satire.
Variety’s franchise aims to spotlight comedians before they reach mainstream saturation. The magazine notes that the comedy industry is larger than it has ever been. The annual list has historically served as an early indicator of which performers will become major stars.
