Zach Zucker’s Stamptown special gets Netflix date
The late-night variety show hits Netflix on August 25 after taping at Netflix is a Joke Fest during Stamptown’s 10th Edinburgh Fringe year.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
Zach Zucker is taking Stamptown to Netflix, with the variety show special set to premiere on August 25, Deadline reported.
The special arrives during the show’s 10th year at the Edinburgh Fringe, a major milestone for Zucker’s late-night showcase of comedy, clown, circus, music, dance, magic and other offbeat stage acts.
Deadline described the Netflix outing as a rowdy, adult-skewing tribute to the people and places that helped the show grow over the past decade, including hosts, venue bookers, cities, festivals and audiences.
The special was filmed at The Montalbán Theatre in Los Angeles across three performances during Netflix is a Joke Fest in May, according to Deadline. Zucker hosts the special, which is based on his own format.
The announced guest lineup includes Neil Patrick Harris, Viggo Venn, Jordan Gray, Natalie Palamides and BriTANicK, with more performers still to be announced, Deadline reported.
Who is behind the special
Rachel Lee Goldenberg directed the Netflix special, while Zucker directed the live stage production. Zucker also executive produced alongside Jonny Woolley, Dylan Woodley and Jeremy Elder from Stamptown.
Other executive producers named by Deadline include Dave Kneebone and Janel Kranking from Abso Lutely, Kevin McCollum and Lucas McMahon of Alchemation, Ethan Stern and Goldenberg.
The producers on the project are Lily Dawford, Laoise Holohan, Cory Peter Lane, Lucas Tamaren, Spencer Vickers, Kirsten Zastrow and Emily Zolten Jillette, according to Deadline.
Deadline reported that the show’s music is all original and comes from Thumpasaurus and the band’s frontman, Lucas Tamaren.
How Stamptown became a cult draw
Zucker created Stamptown after, according to Deadline, he was repeatedly rejected by conventional comedy venues. The show’s name comes from Étampes, France, where Zucker studied at the École Philippe Gaulier clown school.
Over time, the format became a home for experimental performers and alternative acts, with Deadline reporting that it built a loyal following by giving space to boundary-pushing artists.
Stamptown has played venues and festivals including Netflix is a Joke, Just for Laughs, Glastonbury, SXSW, Lincoln Center, Edinburgh Fringe, Soho Theatre, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the O2 Arena and Off-Broadway in New York City, according to Deadline.
Zucker has toured internationally for the past decade. Deadline noted that he is one half of the Norwegian-American clown duo Zach & Viggo and also performs stand-up as his alter ego, Jack Tucker.
In April, Zucker released Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour, performed in that alter ego. Deadline reported that the special is currently among Letterboxd’s Top 60 films and is the platform’s highest-rated comedy special.
As a producer, Zucker has earned four Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Awards nominations, Deadline reported. His producing work has included acts such as Riki Lindhome, Jordan Gray, Randy Feltface, BriTANicK, Courtney Pauroso, Martin Urbano, Michelle Brasier, Garry Starr, Ike Ufomadu, Emily Wilson and Josh Glanc.
Zucker’s screen credits, according to Deadline, include The Joe Schmo Show on TBS, the New Line and HBO Max romantic comedy Sweethearts, 20th Century Studios’ Swiped, Roxy Sorkin’s feature debut Hot Year and the upcoming Joey Power romantic comedy Love Language.
Deadline reported that Zucker is represented by Ethan Stern, UTA, Bloc Talent Agency and Ziffren Brittenham.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.