‘Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution’: Director Page Hurwitz celebrates trailblazing comedians with her ‘love letter’ to the LGBTQ+ community

On May 7, 2022, a historic moment in comedy unfolded at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. LGBTQ+ comedians from around the world gathered for an unprecedented performance celebrating diverse voices and groundbreaking achievements in Netflix's stand-up special Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration. While audiences may have viewed it as an epic comedy night, for filmmaker Page Hurwitz, it became much more: the backbone of her documentary, Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution.

“The truth is that the documentary came first,” Hurwitz tells Gold Derby. “When I envisioned the documentary, I envisioned having this big LGBTQ historic comedy show that would serve as sort of this energetic spine and envelope for a documentary. When I pitched the concept to Netflix, they loved it. What I wanted to do is create a documentary that felt as dynamic as our community. By combining these disparate elements of having original performances with sit down interviews, with their taped footage, with archival materials, I felt like that would probably be the best way to create something as dynamic as our community."

Hurwitz’s ambitious plan initially focused on capturing the Greek Theater show in a vérité, fly-on-the-wall style to preserve its raw energy. Netflix embraced the idea, but soon proposed another challenge: creating a separate standalone special alongside the documentary. “Do you think we could also do this as a separate standalone special?" Netflix asked her. Hurwitz thought, "Sure, I can make a feature-length documentary and a special all at the same time."

As she began editing, the comedy special — requiring less time due to its performance-based focus — hit Netflix long before the documentary's eventual debut. Hurwitz explained the discrepancy: “The show was shot in 2022 and was much easier to edit quickly … but the documentary took longer for archival materials and more meticulous editing.”

The documentary explores the evolution of LGBTQ+ comedy, highlighting trailblazers who broke barriers in entertainment and society. Hurwitz emphasizes the importance of celebrating queer comedians across generations, from icons like Lily Tomlin, Wanda Sykes, and Robin Tyler to rising stars like Bob the Drag Queen, Joel Kim Booster and Fortune Feimster.

“It was really important to me that we celebrate all of our achievements, and that meant going back to people who really changed stand-up comedy for queer people," Hurwitz says. Her research uncovered compelling stories, many of which were previously overlooked. For example, she highlighted Tomlin headlining the 1970s comedy show, Star Spangled Night for Rights, which Hurwitz hadn't seen until she dove into archival footage. Hurwitz explains, “She really had a lot to risk and didn’t have to do the things she did with Edith Ann, calling herself a lesbian, or headlining the [comedy benefit] at the Hollywood Bowl. That was very brave.”

Robin Tyler also emerged as a pivotal figure in LGBTQ+ comedy who paved the way for others. “I didn’t know Robin,” Hurwitz admits, “but I chose people based on how much they shifted not just the broader culture, but comedy itself.” Tyler was the first comic to come out on national television back in 1978. After speaking her truth during a TV special and throwing jabs at the anti-LGBTQ crusader, Anita Bryant, ABC canceled her variety show with her and partner Pat Harrison.

Marsha Warfield, Lily Tomlin, and Wanda Sykes in Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution

A critical component of the documentary is its inclusion of rare archival materials. Hurwitz’s team tracked down video footage that had been largely forgotten, such as Tomlin’s Star-Spangled Night for Rights. Hurwitz shares, “There were two copies of the show on VHS tape — one at Oxford University and one owned by the widow of the producer. She was kind enough to let us digitize it.”

Beyond showcasing this major event, Hurwitz said the footage also sheds light on Richard Pryor’s admission of his sexuality. "He was so open about his sexuality and that was really important to see — powerful. And also, how he didn't shy away from taking on issues of race and racism within our own community," she says. "It was pre-internet and pre nonstop celebrity coverage. And what does that say about where we are currently? Perhaps one of the biggest names in comedy today — or three to four years from now — will do something similar, and maybe it won’t shock the world.”

Trixie Mattel in Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution

For Hurwitz, Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution isn’t just an exploration of comedy — it’s deeply personal. The director began her career as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco’s Castro District. “It was life-changing for me. It allowed me to find my community and my creative voice,” she says. “For a long time, I had wanted to chronicle this history and share the stories of so many wonderful comedians. This film is a love letter to the community.”

While Hurwitz hopes the film receives awards recognition — both for her team’s contribution and for the comedians it honors — she ultimately sees Outstanding as a triumph of representation. “I got to make it. The comedians are happy with it. It’s resonating with audiences. That’s what matters.”

As for the unedited Greek Theater special, Hurwitz hopes Netflix will someday release it in full. “There were so many wonderful moments that weren’t included [in Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration] due to time… I don’t know that we’ll ever replicate that night, but it was incredible from start to finish.”

Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution is currently streaming on Netflix.