Sebastian Maniscalco Is Our Most Consistent Comedian Today

Today, more than ever, we are inundated with an endless stream of both shitty things happening in the world, and choices of comedy to watch to make it all better. At least we have that balance. But through the shitty things, a beacon of light arises, one that never seems to diminish in strength. That beacon is named Sebastian Maniscalco and he is the most consistent stand-up comedian working today.

This became very apparent with his latest special Why Would You Do That? on Showtime. The hour-long special follows his previous two, What’s Wrong With People? and Aren’t You Embarrassed? with each of them asking a very legit question of people. Much of Maniscalco’s comedy revolves around his family and Italian background, so fellow Italians might get a stronger laugh out of some of the bits, but really, it applies to everyone. He uses his entire body to tell jokes, flailing his arms and legs and making faces that people in the last row of any comedy venue can see. Maniscalco makes observations about everyday things: marriage, friends, family, traveling, dinner parties, money – no aspect of life is safe from Sebastian.

It should also be noted that his comedy rarely gets extremely blue. Sure, there are some strong words, but he doesn’t lean on going overly sexual or violent as other comics seem to do these days. He doesn’t have to. Maniscalco comes from the perspective of a normal man, pointing out the world’s abnormalities. Plus, Chrissy Teigen has called him her favorite comedian, and you know she’s got impeccable taste.

In addition to touring around the country for years, many people first took note of Maniscalco in Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights – Hollywood to the Heartland. Along with John Caparulo, Ahmed Ahmed and Bret Ernst, Maniscalco toured the country as part of the comedy documentary.

His first special, What’s Wrong with People? premiered on Showtime in 2012, and he followed that up with 2014’s Aren’t You Embarrassed?, both of which are on Netflix now. This fall he debuted Why Would You Do That?, which proved to be yet another success for Showtime. The ease he displays on stage is unlike any other. While he clearly feeds on the energy from the audience, as any comedian does, he doesn’t need it. He thrives more on the joy that his own material gives him. This confidence, in himself and the words he’s speaking, is exactly what stands out and connects so deeply with the audience.

With each new hour, Maniscalco keeps things fresher and funnier than the last. So maybe it’s wrong to call him consistent? At this point, we’re dealing with a seasoned stand-up that only gets better with every new hour, each time around. Like his pal Jerry Seinfeld, Maniscalco is able to notice the things we all find odd, and turn those moments into belly laughs. He’s someone you would want to invite to your family’s Thanksgiving dinner simply for the experience of sharing a car ride home with him afterward while he pointed out every ridiculous thing said at the table. You’d laugh that damn turkey right off.

This is a comedian that is able to discuss his family and his upbringing in a way that is equally as funny as when he gets to hot 2016 topics like Uber and fantasy football. He’s accessible to pretty much any age group, and everyone will find something they connect with in his comedy. Kanye West once said, “No one man should have all that power”, but when you’re looking for a laugh, we can all be thankful that Maniscalco does.

[Watch Sebastian Maniscalco: Why Would You Do That? on Showtime]