Netflix Comedy Festival Focuses on the Gays with ‘Stand Out’

GayNrd Editors May 9, 2022

The final weekend of Netflix is a Joke the Festival was truly epic.

On Saturday night, Billy Eichner hosted Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration at The Greek Theatre.

The historic celebration featured some of the best in LGBTQ+ comedy legends, and emerging talent. Highlights included icon Ani DiFranco introducing Margaret Cho, Sarah Paulson introducing Tig Notaro, Lily Tomlin introducing Sandra Bernhard, Issa Rae introducing Wanda Sykes, and Rosie O’Donnell closing the night and inviting the rest of the performers joining her on stage for a NEW rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s hit Girls Just Want to Have Fun, GAYS Just Want to Have Fun.

Other incredible talent who performed throughout the night included Bob the Drag Queen, Eddie Izzard, Solomon Georgio, Sam Jay, River Butcher, Patti Harrison, Matteo Lane, Marsha Warfield, Mae Martin, Judy Gold, Joel Kim Booster, James Adomian, Guy Branum, Gina Yashere, Trixie Mattel, Scott Thompson, and Todd Glass. Stand Out is produced by Page Hurwitz, Wanda Sykes (Push It Productions), Brian Graden and Dave Mace (Brian Graden Media).

Another legendary sold-out show on the agenda for Saturday took place at Dodger Stadium where the incredible Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias took the stage for night two at Netflix Is a Joke: The Festival. Fluffy brought out some of his most legendary friends, including Franco Escamilla, Martín Moreno, Alfred Robles, G Reilly, and Ismo. His historic performance marks the first time a comedian has ever performed at Dodger Stadium.

Over at YouTube Theater on Saturday, Emmy Award winning pair Amy Poehler and Tina Fey had a hilarious conversation that had the audience in stitches, making the theater feel like they were part of their friendship. Comedian Taylor Tomlinson opened the evening with a hilarious set.

Two-time Emmy and WGA award-winning writer, actor and comedian John Mulaney took over the stage at the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday night to present his From Scratch show. Every guest in attendance was greeted with a single rose “compliments of John.” The crowd was buttered up to receive Seaton Smith, Dan Levy and Earthquake, who had the crowd in hysterics.

Hartbeat Productions and Kevin Hart also hosted a star-studded brunch on Saturday of the festival. Guests included Tiffany Haddish, Bill Burr, Don Cheadle, Sam Jay, Quinta Brunson, Stan Lathan, Lil Dicky, London Hughes and more.

Sunday’s final events featured a live table read from the Netflix hit show Never Have I Ever with creators Mindy Kaling, Lang Fisher and the cast at Hollywood Pantages Theatre.

Legendary late night host David Letterman returned to the stage again on Saturday for two shows at The Fonda Theatre where he invited some of his new favorite comics to perform and then sit down for a one-of-a-kind interview. Guests included Robin Tran, Brian Simpson, and Naomi Ekperigin.

Also on the agenda for the final evening of the festival, comedian Joel Kim Booster brought his Joy F*ck Club show to the legendary Dynasty Typewriter at The Hayworth. Joel was joined by Patti Harrison, Irene Tu, Nori Reed and Andrew Orolfo as they kept the crowd laughing all night long.

Sunday’s final programming at the Outdoors at Hollywood Palladium included the WeHo Drag Brunch hosted by Alaska Thunderfuck & Arisce Wanzer, Tolliver, The Goddamn Comedy Jam with Josh Adam Meyers, and The Drop In Hosted by Bob The Drag Queen.

Sunday’s shows also included Pete Holmes followed by Bust Down featuring Langston Kerman, Jak Knight, Chris Redd, Sam Jay at the Peppermint Club, Zack Fox at Avalon Hollywood, Seek Treatment With Cat & Pat at The Bourbon Room, Megan Stalter at Dynasty Typewriter at the Hayworth, Rachel Wolfson, Mat Edgar & Friends at The Elysian Theatre, and Gavin Matts & Friends at The Lab at The Hollywood Improv.