Maz Jobrani

Showtime has four new stand-up specials airing this month, three of them on New Year’s Eve. This go-around, the premium-cable network appears focused on developing specials centering on specific ethnic demographics. More info is below.

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL PRESENTS: ALL STAR COMEDY JAM – LIVE FROM SOUTH BEACH, hosted by D.L. Hughley, will feature Earthquake (”Everybody Hates Chris”), Arnez J (”BET’s Comic View”), Melanie Comarcho (”Def Comedy Jam”) and Lavell Crawford (”Chelsea Lately”). The special will air on Dec. 5 at 11 pm EST.

EDWIN SAN JUAN’S PACIFIC RIM COMEDY, hosted by Edwin San Juan, features a lineup of Asian comics from around the world. The lineup consists of Joey Guila, Bernadette Balagtas, Ron Josol, Dan Gabriel, and Paul Ogata. It airs Dec. 31 at 8 pm EST.

MAZ JOBRANI: BROWN & FRIENDLY is the Iranian-American comedian’s first solo stand-up special. Jobrani has a long list of television and film credits, but his stand-up received perhaps its biggest boost from the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour (and eponymous special, which appeared on Comedy Central in 2007). It will air on Dec. 31 at 9 pm EST.

GOIN’ NATIVE: THE INDIAN COMEDY SLAM is a special dedicated solely to Native American comedians. Hosted by Charlie Hill, it features Larry Omaha, Howie Miller, Mark Yaffee, Jim Rule, Vaughn Eagle Bear, and JR Redwater. The special will air on Dec. 31 at 10:05 pm EST.