Today, the mark that you’ve made it for any stand-up comedian is getting your own Netflix special. From Ali Wong’s "Baby Cobra" to Hannah Gadsby's "Nanette," the special can launch a comedian to stardom.
But before Netflix, there was the "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" or the "Ed Sullivan Show" before that. In fact, stand-up comedy goes back long before the format was even known as standup comedy.
In a new podcast, comedian Wayne Federman — who you might know from "Curb Your Enthusiasm" or the stand-up circuit — tells the story of the history of stand-up comedy from Vaudeville to today.
The Show spoke with him more about it and how there’s always been some version of the Netflix special in stand-up comedy.
