Seinfeld's woven into my DNA

Hollywood comedy writer Joe Mande picks his comedy favourites

Hacks writer Joe Mande – who is bringing his stand-up show to London’s Soho Theatre later this month – picks his Perfect Playlist of comedy favourites. As well as the HBO Max show – on which he also plays the recurring role of hotel clerk Ray – Mande has written for shows inlcuding Parks & Recreation, The Good Place, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He also has a Netflix special called Joe Mande’s Award-Winning Comedy Special.

Mr. Show With Bob And David

Mr. Show was my comedy bible growing up. Bob Odenkirk and David Cross were light years ahead when they made it. The sketches are so funny and executed so well that it's honestly kind of infuriating to watch sometimes.

The Nightman Cometh

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one of my all-time favourite television shows. But the final episode of season 4, The Nightman Cometh, is the one I rewatch constantly. I've probably seen it over 50 times, and it still makes me laugh out loud.

Katt Williams Pimp Chronicles Part 1

Katt Williams is on my Mount Rushmore of comedy. (If you're not familiar, Mount Rushmore is a mountain in South Dakota that was needlessly desecrated with four enormous portraits of dead US Presidents.) This special really captures a comic operating at his highest level. And it ends with the rapper Camron awarding Katt Williams with a Dipset chain, which was and still is my ultimate dream in life.

Roberto Benigni's scene in Night On Earth

I'm a big fan of the director Jim Jarmusch. His 1991 movie Night On Earth is a collection of short films that all take place in taxi cabs.

Roberto Benigni plays a deranged Roman taxicab driver who picks up a priest late at night and feels compelled to use their time in the car to confess.

Benigni's descriptions of his past sins, and the priest's horrified reaction, is comedic perfection.

Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm

I feel like I'd be a traitor to my Jewish heritage if I did not include these two shows on this list.

I was raised on nightly Seinfeld reruns and have been a fan of Curb for my entire adult life. These shows are basically woven into my DNA and I don't know who I'd be without them.