Sometimes I feel like a broken record. I’m constantly writing about bigotry in comedy, and I’m nowhere close to the only one. Yet those same comics called out continue to be rewarded.

To complain about them is to sort of play into their hand: Those concealing bigotry as comedy love to complain about “woke” media trying to “cancel” them. With Grammy nominations for Best Comedy Album going to Ricky Gervais and Dave Chappelle though, cancellation is clearly not a worry.

Instead of lamenting about transphobic losers — especially when it is likely Chappelle will score another award, given he has won five out of his six nominations — I’d rather celebrate some actually witty, well-written comedy of the year.

The year of stand-up comedy is not close to over. There are also exciting projects to look forward to including Nate Bargatze’s Netflix special “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze” on Dec. 24, James Acaster’s Max special “Hecklers Welcome” on Nov. 23 and an unnamed Hulu special from Atsuko Okatsuka coming later this month.

Still, with just six weeks left in the year, here is a list of the five best stand-up specials of 2024.

“Ramy Youssef: More Feelings” on Max

Youssef’s show is the most topical on the list, unwilling to shy away from moral and political topics. The special was released in March, months before Joe Biden ended his presidential candidacy. Youssef addresses Islamophobia from the lens of a Muslim man in the United States, particularly after Oct. 7, and shares that all the proceeds of his show will go toward humanitarian aid in Gaza.

“More Feelings” is deeply introspective and is much more intimate than the lighter-hearted specials on this list. It’s nearly impossible to balance the serious topics Youssef discusses while remaining funny, but Youssef is one of the greatest political comedians. His set is less quick jabs and more narrative storytelling, but his charisma and witty delivery cement “More Feelings” as one of — if not the best — stand-up of the year.

“Fern Brady: Autistic Bikini Queen” on Netflix

Brady takes the stage and immediately captivates the room in “Autistic Bikini Queen.” Despite maintaining a lighthearted tone, Brady manages to joke about serious topics, from death and Catholicism to her own neurodivergence.

While much of her comedy is observational, Brady mostly operates through storytelling, allowing audiences to peer into her life. Brady is entirely blunt in her delivery, sometimes catching the viewer off guard with her punchlines. She’s unfiltered and raw in her performance; she has clearly and confidently found her comedic voice.

“Phil Wang: Wang in There, Baby!” on Netflix

Coming off the success of his last Netflix special, “Philly Philly Wang Wang” (2021), Wang performs with his typical self-deprecating charm. Wang, born in England and raised in Malaysia, shares his unique perspective on cultural norms. He’s more of an observational comic, and his writing style is very loose; there is not an overarching theme to his special.

At a time when comedians are straying more into elaborate storytelling, “Wang in There, Baby!” is best for people looking for quick, light-hearted laughs. It’s a classic stand-up but has the signature Wang charm to keep the audience engaged throughout the set.

“Jenny Slate: Seasoned Professional” on Prime Video

Slate is a mainstay of the comedy world, and “Seasoned Professional” cements her prowess as a quirky raconteur. Of the comics in this list, Slate has the greatest anecdotes, sharing the horrible tale of when she was asked to audition for Pennywise the Clown and her nightmare class trip where she discovered her lactose intolerance.

Through and through, Slate is a storyteller. She manages to take every part of her life, from relationships to embarrassing moments, and find humor within it.

“Sal Vulcano: Terrified” on YouTube via 800 Pound Gorilla Media

Tanka Jahari fans can rejoice knowing that the “Impractical Jokers” comedy translates well into storytelling. In his first-ever stand-up special, Vulcano focuses on fears — hence, the name “Terrified.” It’s a family-friendly special — minus some profanity — talking about continental breakfast and mothballs. It’s hard to make an engaging set out of purely observational comedy, but Vulcano manages to provide fresh perspectives to the set.

Vulcano is clearly passionate about the craft. There is an earnestness about his delivery — he has to fight laughing at his own jokes — that keeps the viewer on his side, even when there are lulls between the jokes.

​​Kimberly Aguirre is a senior writing about comedy. Her column, “Comic Relief,” runs every other Tuesday. She is also the editor in chief of the Daily Trojan.