Hulu has unveiled its latest venture into comedy with the introduction of its stand-up brand, Hulu’s Laughing Now, set to debut officially in November of this year.
The announcement was made by comedian Jim Gaffigan during the Disney Upfront presentation in New York City, where he revealed that he would be the inaugural host of a stand-up special under the new brand. Gaffigan’s special, “The Skinny,” is scheduled to premiere on November 22, marking the first of 12 comedy specials to be featured annually on Hulu’s Laughing Now, with a new comic added each month.
Filmed earlier this year at the Wilbur Theater in Boston, Gaffigan’s special, his 11th stand-up venture, will be available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+ outside the United States.
Renowned as a seven-time GRAMMY®-nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer, and multiplatinum-selling recording artist, Gaffigan’s comedic prowess has garnered global acclaim for his unique take on life’s observations.
Gaffigan’s recent achievements include a sold-out multi-city arena tour alongside Jerry Seinfeld and the distinction of becoming the first comedian to surpass 1 billion streams on Pandora. He is a regular contributor to CBS Sunday Morning, earning three Emmy Awards for his humorous commentaries. In 2018, Gaffigan served as the master of ceremonies at The Al Smith Memorial Dinner and had the honor of performing for Pope Francis and over 1 million attendees at the Festival of Families in Philadelphia.
Hulu plans to announce additional comedians for future specials, along with their launch dates and further details. Leading up to the premiere of Gaffigan’s special in November, Hulu will curate a selection of licensed stand-up specials, including iconic and recent releases from companies like 800 Pound Gorilla and Comedy Dynamics.
As a dominant force in the comedy landscape, Hulu boasts a rich catalog of comedy series from Hulu Originals, FX, ABC Entertainment, and 20th Animation, as well as classic shows from 20th Century Fox, ABC Signature, and acquired series. Hulu’s comedy prowess was evident at the recent Emmy Awards, where it secured numerous nominations and wins in the Comedy Series category for shows like The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, and Abbott Elementary.
