5. Live at the Comedy Store (2015) - Louis C.K.

Louis C.K, one the biggest names in comedy, released his Live at the Comedy Store special just last year. Louie's usual material covers everyday life, the ups and downs of marriage, and most famously his diatribes about his children. This special, however, is a major departure from those themes. In this special, Louie goes back to his comedy club roots in terms of the venue and the topics. The special includes strange and absurd ramblings that gives the viewers a peek into the beautifully strange mind of C.K. There are simply no other Louis C.K. specials like this. You can buy the special for $5 on http://louisck.net or watch it for free below.

Favorite Joke: (On the Boston accent) "It's not an accent, it's a whole city of people saying most words wrong."

4. In This Economy (2012) - Gary Gulman

Another Massachusetts comic, Gary Gulman is one of the lesser known names on this list, but the cleanest comic nonetheless. This special is perhaps the only one on the list considered to be PG. This is a comedy special you can watch with your parents. The remarkable thing about this comedy special is that the entire special revolves around the same thing- money. Every joke on the special stems from or strictly pertains to cash. It is currently available to stream on Netflix - watch a piece of the special below.

Favorite Joke: (On nickels) "I hate them; they're quarter impersonators."

3. Love at the Store (2015): Jerrod Carmichael

Perhaps the greatest advertised comedy special in recent history.
Carmichael ran out of money for an actual advertisement and instead made a mockery of an L.A. City Council meeting. Watch his advertisement in the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx7JCTkFKzc

The special was beautifully shot by Spike Lee in the historic Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA. Carmichael has a sort of relaxed, stream of consciousness- style delivery that warms the hearts of those who watch. Since it is an HBO special, the special is only on HBO. The link below is the largest chunk of the special available on YouTube.

Favorite Joke: "I can't wait to become a republican. Let me rephrase that: I can't wait until I can afford to be a republican. You know? Does it make sense? Like I'm a democrat now by necessity. I need the healthcare. But, as soon as I'm in a different tax bracket, f**k poor people."

2. Beer Hall Putsch (2013): Doug Stanhope

Doug Stanhope, born in Worcester, MA, is one of the greatest underground comedians and the most interesting person on this list. Stanhope has 6 comedy special DVD's and 11 comedy albums to his credit. Stanhope's abrasive, harsh style of comedy often leads to walkouts from his shows. If there is a social taboo, there's a good to fair chance Stanhope has yelled about it in one of his many specials. The most notable thing about this particular special, Beer Hall Putsch, is a lengthy portion of the special in which Stanhope speaks about his involvement in his mother's suicide. This special is not for those that are easily offended. If you have that "sick puppy" kind of friend, this makes the perfect stocking stuffer. Stanhope speaks often about life and death, a very morbid character. In the link below, Stanhope reveals his "Top 5 Places to Kill Yourself."

http://www.revolvermag.com/news/comedian-doug-stanhope-lists-the-top-five-places-to-kill-yourself.html

Stanhope is not for everyone, his work is best described as offensive and not for the faint of heart. Stanhope also runs an online "Celebrity Death Pool", where he and his buddies make wagers on which celebrities they think are going to die. Doug Stanhope is an heir apparent to comedy heavyweights Lenny Bruce and Bill Hicks. It is feared by comedy fans everywhere that his true genius will not be recognized nor celebrated until after his death. Stanhope's Beer Hall Putsch special is available on Netflix, while most of his material can be found on YouTube for free. Other specials to watch by him that are available on YouTube:

Deadbeat Hero (2004)

No Refunds (2007)

Before Turning the Gun on Himself (2012)

Favorite Joke: "Did you ever drink so much of a certain type of alcohol that you get so sick that you can never drink the same kind of alcohol again? I've decided that's how I'm gonna quit drinking. One at a time."

1. Skanks for the Memories... (2003) - Dave Attell

Here is the best comedy special your friends never told you about - Skanks for the Memories. Dave Attell has been a working comic since 1988. He is one of the premier joke writers in the business. Comics often cite Dave Attell as their favorite comic. Dirty, sleazy, and lovable are the words that best describe the Long Island native. His hour-long specials are tight and compact with rapid fire jokes. He is well written like Jerry Seinfeld, but Attell decided to use that talent for dirty jokes. Attell hosted Insomniac on Comedy Central from 2001-2004. He was a Saturday Night Live writer before that. Attell is one of those comics you can watch over and over again because when you're laughing at joke #1, joke #2 quickly follows and that sends the viewer on a gut-wrenching laugh fest. This special is a CD, there is no video evidence of his magnum opus recorded in Denver, CO. The album can be bought on Amazon.com and it is recommended for all comedy fans. Dave's most recent special Road Work, is available to stream on Netflix.

Favorite Joke: "So I travel a lot. I hate traveling, maybe 'cause my father used to beat me with a globe."