I'm glad the brilliant comediennes Ellen DeGeneres and Sarah Silverman are taking turns doing comedy specials for Netflix. On a recent Twitter Feed, Netflix asked Ellen why she hadn’t done a stand up special in 15 years -- to which she responded, “I’m in.”  Preliminary reports say DeGeneres’ special will broadcast sometime in 2018 and she will secure a big payday.

Silverman debuts on Netflix next Tuesday, May 30th. It’s called A Speck of Dust. Silverman stars in a 70-minute film featuring segments from Jesus is Magic from her 2005 show on a myriad of topics from homelessness to religion as well as bits from We are Miracles, her first HBO special that won an Emmy in 2014 for outstanding writing.

Doing great stand up is truly an art.  Part of the artist’s craft is making something so difficult to do look so easy. I’ve always admired the talent and grit of comedians. I saw Eddie Murphy and Rosie O'Donnell perform in New York years ago and am not surprised they both became superstars. They were nothing short of amazing to watch. Developing a routine and finding a hook that becomes a signature is challenging.  

DeGeneres’ delivery and timing is extraordinary. I read her influences include Woody Allen and Steve Martin; both intelligent and deadpan. Ellen delivers her performances in the same fashion -- low-key and somewhat expressionless. It makes a funny line even funnier each and every time. Certainly, Ellen DeGeneres made history when she came out on the cover of Time Magazine just over 20 years ago with the caption, “Yep, I’m Gay.” Her life struggles undoubtedly shaped her comedic career and propelled her into being one of the most high profile celebrity humanitarians ever.

By contrast, Sarah Silverman’s delivery is more crass; in your face. The comedian publicly stated she has battled depression since childhood. Silverman attended NYU for a year, but dropped out and joined Saturday Night Live in 1993 as a writer and feature performer. No topic is taboo for the irreverent comic, called ‘a breath of fresh air’ by The New York Times. Silverman has poked fun at everything -- from rape prevention tips to her Judaism to making fun of Bernie Sanders, even though she is a stalwart Democrat who was a visible supporter of Hillary Clinton in 2016.

I appreciate it when the focus of streaming services is high quality entertainment like comedy specials from DeGeneres and Silverman. I’ll be watching and waiting for more.