Variety Names Ten Rising Comedians for 2026
The annual list features a mix of stage veterans and social media stars, with a live showcase scheduled for next week in New York.
By Harper Laurent ·
Variety has published its annual list of ten comics to watch for 2026, marking the twenty-sixth iteration of a franchise that began in 2000. The publication identifies these performers as the next tier of talent in a comedy market that continues to expand. The 2026 roster includes Wally Baram, Olivia Carter, Aaron Chen, Adam Friedland, Kyle Gordon, Shapel Lacey, and Eilise Patton.
Veteran comedians provided endorsements for the selected artists. Nikki Glaser praised Olivia Carter's dry wit and fearless delivery. She noted that Carter has already found her voice after only six years in the profession. Glaser highlighted Carter's performance on Netflix's "Funny AF," where she told jokes about sensitive subjects despite guidance from producers to steer clear of them. Richard Kind described his first meeting with Adam Friedland. He said he agreed to do Friedland's podcast without knowing who he was, only to be surprised when his son and strangers on the street recognized him from the show.
The list reflects the current diversity of the comedy landscape. Adam Friedland is described as a slacker-provocateur talk show host. Kyle Gordon is a musical satirist known for albums with self-referential titles such as "Kyle Gordon is Everywhere." Thomas Lennon, a musician, endorsed Gordon. He cited Gordon's ability to write both upbeat tracks and darker songs like "Crawl to Me." Lennon noted that Gordon commits fully to his material, regardless of the content.
Wally Baram is a star of the show "Overcompensating." Benito Skinner, a collaborator, recalled meeting Baram on a video call. He said he immediately knew she was the right fit for the role of Carmen. Baram revealed during the call that she owned a pet boa constrictor named Jersey Mike. Lucas Zelnick, another comic on the list, has built a large online following through viral crowd-work clips. This digital reach contrasts with the traditional club circuit used by others on the list.
The 2026 selection follows a lineage of successful past picks. The 2000 inaugural list included Zach Galifianakis, Maria Bamford, Patton Oswalt, and Louis C.K. In 2011, the magazine identified Nate Bargatze and Nikki Glaser. Both are now among the top-selling stand-up performers globally. More recent honorees include Ayo Edebiri, Hannah Einbinder, Caleb Hearon, and Julio Torres. The current group represents a broad range of styles, from stage work to small screen acting and social media performance.
Fans can see the listed comedians perform at the New York Comedy Festival showcase. The event is scheduled for Nov. 12 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Times Square. Tickets are available through the festival's website. This live event serves as the culmination of the annual recognition cycle.
The publication's history shows that its selections often precede major commercial success. The current list includes artists who are already active in multiple media formats. Some, like Friedland, use podcasts as their primary platform. Others, like Baram, work in television. The mix of traditional stand-up and new media indicates a shifting industry structure.
Each comedian on the list provided specific details about their career. Aaron Chen mentioned his first discovery at the 2019 Melbourne Comedy Festival. Ali Wong endorsed him, citing his calm delivery and unexpected humor. Carter said her weirdest performance was at a women's prison, where she received a standing ovation. These personal anecdotes add context to their professional trajectories.
