Ariel Elias - A Jewish Star

In her hilarious debut special A Jewish Star, Ariel Elias reminds us how to laugh in the face of conflict. Growing up Jewish in Kentucky meant being told she was going to hell, explaining what the six-pointed star around her neck meant, and never knowing how to pronounce her own name. But Elias tackles each moment, taking uncomfortable interactions and turning them into punchlines. So it makes sense that during a performance in 2022, when an enraged heckler hurled a full can of beer at her, Elias calmly picked up the beer and chugged it, turning what could have been a disaster into a viral moment that would launch her career.

She delves into the aftermath with humor and honesty, from the political argument that preceded the assault, to the genuine admiration and jealousy for a couple in love. Throughout the special, Elias fearlessly opens up about her frustrations with how men clean, as well as her own insecurities when it comes to her body, sitting next to Hasidic men on the subway, having herpes, and whether or not to have kids.