Variety announces its 10 Comics to Watch for 2023

It’s that time of year again when Variety announces its annual list of 10 Comics To Watch. A list of honorees they feel are the next comics the world should keep their eye on. The list gets published in Variety’s annual comedy issue (due out July 19th). The honorees are also celebrated at the annual Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal with both a reception and a showcase lined up for fans to go and watch them perform live, currently scheduled for July 29th.

Variety has published the list of stand-ups, writers, and content creators since 200 and in the years since it’s identified many great comedians over the years including the likes of Patton Oswalt, Amy Schumer, Tiffany Haddish, Taylor Tomlinson, Quinta Brunson, Sam Jay, Hasan Minhaj, Nate Bargatze, Pete Davidson, and Roy Wood Jr.

Here’s the class of 2023…

Hannah Berner: Berner’s videos, including her viral “Han on the Street” segments, have amassed over 900 million views on TikTok alone. Her solo stand-up tour has sold out venues across the U.S. including three nights at the Palladium Times Square.

Kurtis Conner: His popular YouTube Channel boasts over 4 million subscribers and Conner just filmed his first hour special in his hometown of Toronto.

Zarna Garg: The winner of Kevin Hart’s comedy competition Lyft Comics, Garg released her first comedy special, One in a Billion, on Amazon this year. She’ll be making multiple appearances at the Just for Laughs Festival this July.

Ian Lara: Lara is currently developing a scripted comedy with Chelsea Handler’s production company. His HBO special Romantic Comedy is currently streaming on Max and his Comedy Central Half Hour Growing Shame is on YouTube.

Joanne McNally: Co-host of the podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me alongside Vogue Williams. McNally is known for the one-woman show, Bite Me and her stand-up shows Wine Tamer and The Prosecco Express.

Leanne Morgan: Her Netflix special I’m Every Woman premiered in April. Morgan is currently on her “Just Getting Started” tour and will be seen in the upcoming film You’re Cordially Invited opposite Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell.

Nimesh Patel: Soon to start, “The Fast and Loose Tour,” Patel has written for Saturday Night Live and the Academy Awards; he self-released the special, Lucky Lefty about being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Sarah Sherman: Sherman recently completed her second season as a featured player on Saturday Night Live and will be seen in Adam Sandler’s upcoming Netflix film“You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah.

Brian Simpson: Host of the podcast BS with Brian Simpson, Simpson has appeared on Netflix’s The Standups and has an upcoming comedy special for the streamer.

Sabrina Wu: After writing on the Disney+ series Doogie Kameāloha, M.D., Wu will next be seen in the ensemble comedy Joy Ride.