Josh Johnson is officially bringing his comedy to HBO.
The Emmy-nominated comedian will debut his first HBO stand-up special, Josh Johnson: Symphony, on Friday, May 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The special will air on HBO and stream on HBO Max, with a newly released trailer offering a first look at the hour.
Filmed at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, Symphony features all-new material as Johnson reflects on shared human experiences—ranging from strange childhood memories and family dynamics to the challenges of being labeled “nice” and navigating life’s most awkward moments.
While many audiences know Johnson from his prolific YouTube output and his work as a rotating host and correspondent on The Daily Show, the special highlights his signature storytelling style and rhythm-driven approach to stand-up.
The special is written and performed by Johnson, who also serves as executive producer alongside Jacob Menache, James Dixon, Daniel Bodansky, and John Irwin, with Menache directing.
Johnson has built a reputation as one of comedy’s most consistently active voices, previously writing and performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and recently completing his 112-city Flowers Tour. He’s also known for releasing weekly stand-up sets on YouTube, where his work has collectively surpassed half a billion views.
HBO executive Nina Rosenstein praised Johnson’s ability to make audiences feel like they’re listening to “a friend,” noting the musicality in his storytelling—an idea that directly inspired the title Symphony.
With this special, Johnson continues his steady rise as one of comedy’s most prolific modern voices—now stepping onto one of the genre’s most prestigious stages.