Comedy Scene — August 18, 2026

Key Highlights

• Nate Bargatze reaches a landmark: The Tennessee comedian has been awarded a Guinness World Records title after selling more than two million tickets on his Big Dumb Eyes comedy tour.

• James Austin Johnson announces his first special: The Saturday Night Live performer will release his debut stand-up comedy special in August through Gorilla Comedy+.

• Rory Scovel brings a personal hour to Netflix: Rory Scovel: Show Must Go On addresses the death of his father, grief, trauma, politics, the manosphere, and a January 6 heckler, according to a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

3 sources

komonews.com

after selling more than 2 million tickets on his Big D

variety.com

James Austin Johnson Sets Debut Stand-Up Comedy Special

hollywoodreporter.com

hollywoodreporter.com

Review

Must-Watch Spotlight: Rory Scovel: Show Must Go On

Rory Scovel’s new Netflix special stands out for its willingness to move between deeply personal material and topical comedy. The special explores grief and trauma alongside politics, the manosphere, and an encounter with a January 6 heckler. That combination makes it a strong pick for viewers looking for comedy with more emotional and cultural range than a conventional observational hour.

Coming Up

• James Austin Johnson’s debut stand-up special is scheduled for release in August on Gorilla Comedy+.

• Live comedy listings: A touring schedule updated August 17 includes comedians performing across cities and dates in 2026.

• The World Series of Comedy Tour has confirmed select live dates across major U.S. cities and theaters during 2026, with routing and showtimes varying by venue.