Kevin Hart is on a mission to discover the next great stand-up comic.
Netflix’s new comedy competition series Funny AF with Kevin Hart premieres April 20, 2026, and it’s bringing along a lineup of comedy heavyweights to size up the rising stars. Keegan-Michael Key, Tom Segura, Kumail Nanjiani, Chelsea Handler, and Nikki Glaser will appear as special guest judges throughout the series.
Keegan Michael Key, Chelsea Handler, Kumail Nanjiami, and Kevin Hart
The winner? They’ll earn something every comedian dreams about: their own Netflix stand-up special.
The competition will unfold over three weeks and build toward two live episodes on Netflix, where viewers around the world will vote in real time to decide who takes home the title.
Here’s everything to know about Funny AF with Kevin Hart, including the release schedule, judges, and how real-time voting in the semi-final (May 4) and finale (May 5) will work.
When does Funny AF with Kevin Hart premiere?
The series premieres April 20, 2026, with new episodes rolling out weekly.
The competition builds toward a pair of live episodes airing May 4 and May 5, with the winner revealed in real time during the finale.
Release schedule
Week 1 — April 20, 2026
Episodes 1–4
Week 2 — April 27, 2026
Episodes 5–6
Week 3 — Live Episodes
May 4: Episode 7 (Semi-final)
May 5: Episode 8 (Finale)
Both live episodes will air at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET.
How real-time voting works in the Funny AF semi-final and finale
For the final two episodes, members can watch live and vote in real-time to ultimately decide the winner.
Semi-Final
May 4, Episode 7 — LIVE
Six semi-finalists selected in Episode 6 will compete for a spot in the finale. During the live broadcast, Netflix members can vote to determine which four contestants advance.
Finale
May 5, Episode 8 — LIVE
The final four contestants will perform, and viewers will once again vote in real time. The winner — chosen by the audience — will be revealed at the end of the episode, and will receive their own Netflix comedy special.
Who can vote
Any Netflix member watching the show live can vote, from anywhere in the world.
Where to vote
Viewers can vote directly on your TV using your remote, or through the Netflix mobile app if you’re watching on your phone or tablet.
When Voting Happens
Voting opens during specific moments in each live episode and remains open for a limited time, so you’ll need to be watching live to participate.
Why It Matters
Your vote directly determines who moves forward — and ultimately, who wins the competition live on Netflix.
Note: Voting and onscreen prompts will be available in English only. Some devices may not support the voting feature.
Who are the guest judges?
The series features a rotating panel of comedy stars who will join Kevin Hart to help evaluate the contestants.
Chelsea Handler, Kumail Nanjiami, and Keegan Michael Key
Kevin Kwan/Netflix
Special guest judges include:
Keegan-Michael Key
Tom Segura
Kumail Nanjiani
Chelsea Handler
Nikki Glaser
Each brings their own perspective from across the comedy world — from stand-up to film and television.
What is Funny AF with Kevin Hart about?
Guided by Kevin Hart and a lineup of comedy legends, Funny AF with Kevin Hart pulls back the curtain on the unpredictable path of a stand-up career.
Kevin Hart and Tom Segura
Ser Baffo/Netflix
Chelsea Handler and Kevin Hart
Kevin Kwan/Netflix
Contestants from across the country will face challenges designed to mirror the real-life grind of comedy, including brutal open-mic sets, bombed performances, last-minute rewrites, and the pressure of performing on big stages. The series aims to show both sides of stand-up — from the darkest corners of the grind to the brightest spotlights of success.
In the end, only one comedian will rise to the top and walk away with their own Netflix stand-up special.
Who makes the series?
Funny AF with Kevin Hart is produced by HartBeat and Alfred Street Industries. Showrunners are Bill Dixon, Liz Cook, San Heng, and Jason Raff. Executive producers are Kevin Hart, Jane Lipsitz, Dan Cutforth, Nan Strait, Dan Volpe, Luke Kelly-Clyne, Meghan Hoffman, Jeff Clanagan, and Jenny Groom.
