Special Tapings Radar: The Funniest Comics Taping Comedy Specials This Month (October 2023)

Every month, 800 Pound Gorilla News scours the comedy cosmos, on the hunt for the comedy world's rising stars who are about to tape their next hour and we put 'em all here in our Special Tapings Radar. This is where we showcase & highlight all the funniest comedians who are getting ready to record their next stand-up comedy special & album this upcoming month.

Here are 8 (and some more) comics who you need to see and be in the room for their next comedy special taping if you can (and are still able to if the show hasn't sold out yet). Your chance to be in the room for a live comedy special is closer than you think. Here's everyone you need to pay attention to that's recording their next hour during the month of October.

From his early days of picking up a guitar in Chicago, Luke Null discovered his knack for blending witty humor with catchy earworms, creating a unique musical comedy style that set him apart. 

This style caught the attention of none other than Lorne Michaels himself, leading to a life-changing opportunity as a cast member on the iconic show Saturday Night Live. 

Since his time at SNL, Luke's comedic prowess has taken him across the nation, performing standup at esteemed clubs and festivals, captivating audiences with his razor-sharp wit and infectious charisma. 

Now, you have the exclusive chance to witness Luke Null's unique brand of comedy live in action… 

He's taping his new special on October 2nd at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Anegels. Tickets are available and can be purchased here.

Stream & download Luke Null's comedy album Guitar Comic on 800 Pound Gorilla!

Fresh off a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, writer/comedian Matt Goldich (Late Night with Seth Meyers) is recording his latest album at Caveat in New York on October 3rd! He may even be joined by a very special guest.

Matt Goldich is a longtime writer for Late Night with Seth Meyers who has been nominated for five Emmy Awards for his work on the show. He has also performed stand-up on Late Night, and appeared in numerous sketches on the show as well. His stand-up has also been featured on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, as well as his album The Matt Goldich Guarantee, which is regularly featured on Sirius XM Radio. As a writer, Matt has also written for many other shows, including The Late Show with David Letterman, the Emmy Awards, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He has won two Daytime Emmys for his work.

Tickets for Matt Goldich's special & album recording can be purchased here.

Comedy Central Stand-Up Featuring is back in New York on October 5th for its 14th season showcasing the next generation of stand-up stars! Comedy Central continues to introduce the world to the sharpest and most distinct voices in comedy and these special tapings will feature 6-10 minute short sets. The storied Cutting Room in Manhattan will play host again to these live shows featuring 15 hilarious comedians! There will be 2 separate shows on October 5th: 6:30pm, 9:00pm.

The shows are free. And a huge added bonus: there is an open bar for an hour prior to each show (beer/wine). This is a 21 and over event. Join these incredible comics as they show the comedy world what rising stars look like and don't forget free drinks!

6:30 PM Show: Ayanna Dookie, Sam Morrison, Chinedu Unaka, Homles, Randall Otis, Lucas Zelnick & Kate Sisk

9:00 PM Show: Tommy Brennan, Grace Kuhlenschmidt, Usama Siddiquee, Mark Smalls, Mav Viola, Asha Ward, Ethan Simmons-Patterson, & Eagle Witt

Tickets can be purchased here.

Nicole Byer is one of the most versatile voices in the comedy landscape today. An actress, comedian, writer, author and podcaster, she is perhaps most well-known as the host of Netflix’s Emmy nominated competition baking series Nailed It!, which has gained a cult following of viewers since its premiere on the streaming platform in 2018. Nicole can currently be seen in her debut solo stand-up special for Netflix Nicole Byer: Big Beautiful Weirdo and the NBC comedy Grand Crew. The show follows a group of Black friends who unpack the ups and downs of life and love at a wine bar. She continues to lend her voice to several characters on Adult Swim’s Tuca & Bertie, as Suzie Carmichael’s mom Lucy on Paramount+’s Rugrats, Netflix animated film Vivo, Amazon’s Invincibles and TZGZ’s The Pole. Nicole is also known for her standout appearances on MTV’s hit show Girl Code, a female-driven comedy series that opens the dialogue for the wonders and woes of womanhood.

Nicole is getting ready to tape a crowd-work special on October 8th at Comedy On State in Madison, WI. Tickets can be purchased here.

Sarah Tollemache is a stand-up comedian and writer. In 2017 she appeared on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’. Tollemache followed that up with another late-night appearance, this time on ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden’. She has also appeared on Comedy Central’s ‘Roast Battle’ and Gotham Comedy Live. When she’s not touring comedy clubs around the country Sarah can be seen regularly at The Comedy Cellar and New York Comedy Club in New York City. You can now check out her new special, Voluptuous Boy, on Youtube. Sarah is also the Co-Host of the popular weekly podcast ‘Lady Journey’.

Catch Sarah taping her new special on October 11th at Grove 34 in Astoria, NY. Tickets can be purchaeed here.

Stream & download Sarah Tollemache's comedy album Voluptuous Boy on 800 Pound Gorilla!

Paul Elia is an LA-based standup comedian, and content creator from Detroit, Michigan. Among the few Chaldeans/Assyrians in Hollywood, the Iraqi-American artist has appeared in dozens of television shows including Ramy, Lady Dynamite and is perhaps best known for his recurring appearances on TBS’s Conan, appearing in over a dozen sketches.
 

With fellow comedian Matt Rife, Paul created, produced, and hosted the hot LA standup showcase Lowkey Comedy Show, which was featured on The Tonight Show and in the first ever Netflix is a Joke: The Festival. The show also received a glowing review from Deadline for bringing LA comedy fans “a much-needed, top-quality outdoor entertainment experience.” Past guests include Bill Burr, Iliza Shlesingler, Ali Wong, Tom Segura, and Ramy Youssef to name a few.

Catch Paul taping his next special (which is being executive produced by Matt Rife) on October 13th & 14th at The Detroit House of Comedy in Detroit, MI. Tickets can be purchased here.

RELATED: Stream & download Matt Rife's special Only Fans & comedy album Matthew Steven Rife on 800 Pound Gorilla.

Nathan Habib made his 8th grade math teacher laugh so hard, he had to end the lesson early. It was at that moment he knew comedy was his way to bring more joy to the world and shorter math classes to students. Nathan brings a friendly personality on stage while delivering a confidently vulnerable attitude, quick banter, and tightly written bits. His achievements marked him as a rising comic in the Bay Area performing in top venues including the iconic San Francisco theatre, the Fillmore and became a favorite at the SF Punchline opening for respectable comics such as Josh Blue, Eddie Pepitone, Robert Kelly, and many more. He has performed for numerous organizations and showcased in noteworthy festivals like San Francisco Sketchfest.

Nathan decided to advance his comedy talent by moving to New York City where he quickly gained the respect of his peers resulting in regularly performing at the New York Comedy Club, Carolines on Broadway, and other established venues. He also performs and co-produces a show called "Bring Your Friends Comedy" at the Lantern in Greenwich Village inviting top notch comics from New York City and around the nation. His unique perspective on the most ordinary situations not only elicits laughter, but is also critically appreciated by a diverse audience. When he's not on stage he produces and co-host his podcast with his brother Roni Habib called Be Happy What Ever The F*** That Means.

After hundreds of thousands of views of his first special, Nathan Habib is back to record his second special at New York Comedy Club on October 15th. Tickets can be purchased here.

Comedian Chelse Greaux's high energy, witty repartee, and no nonsense attitude will captivate your attention and leave you laughing for more. She's previously released two comedy albums (Yes I Cane & Downdog) and has performed at legendary clubs including The Hollywood Improv and The Comedy Store.

Chelse will be taping her new special, Un-Muted, on October 21st at the Skiptown Playhouse in Los Angeles. Tickets can be purchased here.

Raanan Hershberg is a loud, neurotic Jew from Louisville, KY. He has performed his high-energy, joke-packed comedy on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late, Late Show with James Corden, and Comedy Central. His latest special ‘Jokes from the Underground’ was just included in the New York Times ‘Best Comedy of 2022’, where critic Jason Zinoman called it the funniest YouTube Special of the year, and said  ‘his punchy and deliriously funny club comedy made me laugh after second and third viewings.’ His first special ‘Downhill Ever Since’ is almost at 200K views on YouTube. Raanan performs all over the world and is a regular at The Comedy Cellar.

Catch Raanan taping his next special on October 23rd at the Comedy Cellar in New York. Tickets are available here.

Stream & download Raanan Hershberg's comedy album Downhill Ever Since on 800 Pound Gorilla!