Every year around this time Variety announces its selections for 10 Comics to Watch and they just did so for 2017. This annual tradition syncs along with the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal in July where the magazine holds both a showcase and cocktail reception for the selected comedians. A tradition since 2000, past selections include Louis C.K., Zach Galifianakis, and Amy Schumer. Last year’s list alone included Jermaine Fowler, Roy Wood Jr., Aparna Narcherla, and Lauren Lapkus.
So, without any further hesitation, here’s this year’s list.
Brian Jordan Alvarez: You might’ve seen him on Jane The Virgin as well as writing, directing, producing, and starring in the web series, The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo.
Rhea Butcher: Last year, her wife Cameron Esposito was on this list, this year Rhea makes it. This past year she released her debut stand-up comedy album, Butcher and premiered her acclaimed Seeso series, Take My Wife co-created and starring Esposito.
Vir Das: The star of Bollywood hits Badmaash Company, Das recently released the Netflix special Abroad Understanding,” shot at a stadium in India and a club in New York.
Desus Nice and Kid Mero: Hosts of the hit podcast The Bodega Boys and a series of web videos for Complex Magazine, the pair currently hosts the talk show Desus & Mero for Viceland.
John Early: Currently onscreen in the indie hit “Beatriz at Dinner,” Early has appeared in the TBS comedy Search Party and Netflix’s Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. His solo show “Literally Me” was a New York Times critics’ pick
Tiffany Haddish: Seen on screen in last year’s Key & Peele comedy Keanu, Haddish is next set to star in Girls Trip with Queen Latifah for director Malcolm D. Lee and has a Showtime special She Ready! due this year. She is a series regular on NBC’s The Carmichael Show. She’s also a past guest on The Laugh Button Podcast.
Hasan Minhaj: Minhaj has been a correspondent on The Daily Show since 2014 and earned raves for performing at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. His Netflix special Homecoming King premiered in May. He too was a past guest on the Laugh Button Podcast.
Esther Povitsky: A scene-stealer on The CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Povitsky also appears on Netflix’s Love and Lady Dynamite. She hosts the popular podcast Weird Adults With Little Esther and the TruTV series Cocktales With Esther.
Jesus Trejo: “New Face” at last year’s festival, Trejo is a regular at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles. He appears on Comedy Central’s Roast Battle and was a recurring cast member on the TBS series Sullivan and Son.
Liza Treyger: A “New Face” at Montreal in 2014, Treyger has appeared on @midnight and Chelsea Lately as well as C.K.’s series Horace and Pete and her web series How Many Questions with Sabrina Jalees. Liza has also appeared on Laugh Button Live comedy shows for us as well as appeared on The Laugh Button Podcast.
