Josh Johnson wonders if the very first, body-wrenching chiropractors were in fact just “bad at murder,” in the official trailer for his first stand-up comedy special for HBO.
The Daily Show writer/correspondent/host also calls out an uncle of his for audibly “catcalling” good food when dining out in public.
Josh Johnson: Symphony, which was filmed earlier this year at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, debuts on HBO Friday, May 22, at 8 p.m. ET. While Johnson is best known for sharp, topical stand-up—à la much of which he releases weekly online—he takes a different approach with Symphony, delivering an all-new hour centered on universal themes like family, religion, and relationships.
Johnson “tells stories with an incredible rhythm, and it makes the whole room feel like they’re listening to a friend,” said Nina Rosenstein, HBO’s programming EVP in charge of late night and specials. “There’s a musicality to his work, and Symphony captures that perfectly.”
Johnson is in the midst of a busy 2026. In addition to taping his HBO special and juggling The Daily Show with his regular stand-up dates, he is set to host the 30th annual Webby Awards, which will be held May 11 in New York City.
