Top 10 Stand Up Comedy Specials Currently Streaming on Netflix

For many years one of the highest achievements for a comedian was to get an hour-long special on HBO. The lack of commercial interruption or language restriction, along with the legendary pedigree of comedians to boast their own hour specials, such as George Carlin, Robin Williams, and Robert Klein, made anyone who got one for themselves instantly earn a spot as stand-up royalty.

It's still no small feat for a comedian to get themselves an hour on HBO, but as of recently the climate for comedy specials appears to be in a place of transition. Netflix, who recently announced some significant ground being gained on the Home Box Office, has been generating some buzz for its stand up comedy content, and has even made strides to produce more comedian specials for their own exclusive use. Among those already with Netflix-produced specials include Aziz Ansari, Mike Birbiglia, and Doug Stanhope, as well as many other comedians who have brought their own hours to the streaming service, where they're exposed to millions of eyeballs.

Here are the best of those specials that are currently streaming. Warning: some of the video clips may contain language that is NSFW.

Image courtesy of: Kristin Callahan/ACE/INFphoto.com

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10. Gary Gulman - In This Economy?

Gary Gulman is one of the sharpest veterans of comedy today. In this finely crafted hour, Gulman sweats the small stuff, from paying extra for guacamole at Chipotle to questioning how Blockbuster managed to go under after all his exorbitant contributions through late fees.

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9. Tom Segura - Completely Normal

Segura might not be a household name for comedy fans yet, but he will be soon. The Cincinnati native takes the time in this special to discuss The First 48, shopping for stuff he can't afford, and a myriad of other topics.

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8. Katt Williams - The Pimp Chronicles Pt. 1

Before his string of legal problems and temporary retirement from stand-up, Katt was rolling out quality special after quality special. Another product of Cincinnati, Ohio, Williams delivered his finest work in this 2006 performance from Atlanta, Georgia.

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7. John Pinette - Still Hungry

Unfortunately, Pinette passed away in April, but his wealth of comedy will keep his legend growing and living on. Many times when a comedian hits the same topic over and over they tend to beat it to death, but Pinette's love for food and loathing for dieting never got stale.

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6. Zack Galifianakis - Live at the Purple Onion

Zack has gotten away from stand-up a bit since hitting it big in The Hangover series, but he had made his name in the comedy circuit long before then. This special is unique in that it's performed in a small club rather than a large theater. It's all over the place, just like Galifianakis, and is part-planned material, part crowd work, and part interview with Zack's brother Seth (played by Zack).

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5. Richard Pryor - Live on the Sunset Strip

Perhaps the highest regarded special from the highest regarded comedian of all time. If you've seen it, it's always worth revisiting, and if you haven't, it's your chance to watch a historic performance from a true comedic great.

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4. John Mulaney - New in Town

One of the best young comedians in the game is former SNL writer John Mulaney. Each segment of this special is so finely honed and personal, from being a pushover to his take on Law and Order to his attempts to get a Xanax prescription, you can see why he's got his own Lorne Michaels-produced sitcom, Mulaney coming to FOX this fall.

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3. Louis C.K. - Live at the Beacon Theater

Louis has set the bar ridiculously high on the rate and which comedians produce content these days. Aside from writing, directing, editing and starring in his own show (in which he performs original stand up nearly every episode), he also releases a new hour every year. Live at the Beacon was initially significant for bypassing traditional avenues of releasing material and being sold directly on Louis' website, but it's also notable for being as hilarious and poignant as anything Louis has ever done.

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2. Eddie Murphy - Delirious

Recorded when Murphy was just 22 years old, Delirious holds up as a special that will have you deep belly-laughing, even to this day.

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1. Bill Burr - You People Are All The Same

Over a third of this list consists of comics from the Boston area, and Burr may be the most quintessential of the Boston comedians. Bill has developed a unique voice over the years that can hold an audience's attention through any topic. A Netflix exclusive, this special sealed Burr's spot in the elite class of comedians today.