Ten Fringe comics also available on the streaming service

There's no denying Netflix is a game-changer for comedy, especially Stateside, with a new special being released every week. Here are ten comics at the Fringe who can also be viewed via the on-demand service.

Judah Friedlander

The gravel-voiced comic and 30 Rock star's first Netflix special, America Is The Greatest Country In The United States, was shot differently from most. Shorter sets were taped in clubs – mostly the Comedy Cellar in New York – and edited together in black and white. Meanwhile his shtick, of arrogantly boasting that he's a world champion of everything, with zero evidence to back it up, has since been successfully adopted by Donald Trump. Friedlander's latest stand-up show, America... Still Number One, makes a flying visit to the Fringe for just four nights. Gilded Balloon Teviot, 22:30 August 19-22

Frankie Boyle

Not officially part of the Fringe – well, let's face it, he probably doesn't need to pay the registration fee – but Frankie Boyle is playing four nights at the Playhouse during the festival, presenting Volume Three of his eight-volume Prometheus sequence of shows. His earlier offering Hurt Like You've Never Been Loved was distributed by Netflix in 2016, when he became the second British comic after Jimmy Carr to release a stand-up special exclusively via the streaming giant. Edinburgh Playhouse, 8pm, August 7 to 10 only.

Katherine Ryan

Another star not officially in the Fringe programme is Katherine Ryan, who last year followed Carr and Boyle as the first British-based acts on Netflix, with her show In Trouble. She is also about to star with Carr in entertainment format The Fix for the streamer, and is also working on her own scripted show for them. In the meantime, she's doing a one-off at the Edinburgh Playhouse on August 16.

Daniel Sloss

They haven't landed yet, but Netflix has bought the rights to the Scottish comedian's shows Dark and So? - which they are retitling Jigsaw - for streaming later this year. As well as being a stalwart of the Fringe, Daniel Sloss is known to US audiences or his stand-up appearances on Conan O'Brien's late-night show, where he has performed eight times. His new show X debuts at Edinburgh before a UK-wide tour.Pleasance at EICC, 19:00

Kate Berlant

This acclaimed improviser was seen on the Netflix series The Characters, showcasing the best US character comedians, and she also plays Nia in TBS comedy hit Search Party, available on Channel 4's on-demand service All4 in the UK. Her Fringe debut, CommuniKate, is described as a 'surreal, freewheeling hour' which also features  live psychic readings of the audience. Assembly George Square Studios, 21:15

Myq Kaplan

This acclaimed New York comic makes his Edinburgh debut this year, having had his work previously showcased on Amazon, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, the Tonight Show, Conan, Letterman, and more. All Killing Aside promises to be about 'truth, love, and not murdering'. So make a note of that: NOT murdering… Underbelly Bristo Square, 21:15

Ari Shaffir

The New York native grew up as Orthodox Jewish, and spent two years in Israel before returning to Los Angeles to make a name for himself on the stand-up comedy circuit in America.

His last Edinburgh show formed the basis for his debut Netflix special, Double Negative, which launched last year as two 45-minute episodes, He also created the Comedy Central storytelling show, This is Not Happening in the US, and is host of the popular podcast, Skeptic Tank.

Now he returns to tackle his religious upbringing, with a show simply called Jew. Heroes @ The Hive, 18:00

Anthony Jeselnik

The American comedian behind two Netflix specials, Caligula and Thoughts & Prayers, has today announced two dates at the Fringe. Known for his harsh humour, he also fronted his own Comedy Central series, and brutally insulted Donald Trump and Charlie Sheen at their roasts. He heads to Edinburgh after two dates at the Leicester Square Theatre. Assembly Hall, 22:30, August 22 and 23 only

Russell Howard

Russell Howard returns to Edinburgh for two weeks only – and the run of work-in-progress gigs in one of Assembly's smaller rooms has long sold out – unsurprisingly since tickets were just a fiver. Fans will just have to make do with the Netflix special, Recalibrate, recorded at the Brighton Dome. Assembly George Square Studios, 18:35, August 1 to 12.

Felicity Ward

OK, so we're going to cheat a bit for the last of this list, as Felicity Ward's Live At The BBC special was originally available iPlayer, but has since been sold on to Netflix.

She's previously made her struggles with anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome hilariously funny, and was on scintillating form opening for Maria Bamford earlier this year.

Ward is back at the Fringe after a brief hiatus with a show called Busting A Nut – a title she admits she slightly regrets… But she may have to live with it for a while as some autumn dates have already been announced. Pleasance Courtyard, 21:00

Other Live At The BBC stars at the Fringe include Ivo Graham, Adam Hess, Alex Edelman, Larry Dean and Sophie Hagen.

Published: 19 Jul 2018