Here's a sneak peek at NYC comedian Zach Zimmerman's new special
It's a question humans have been asking for millennia: How do we define love? From Shakespeare's "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" to Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It," these ardor-related questions elicit complicated responses.
Brooklyn comedian Zach Zimmerman now has his own answer, and he's unveiling it in a comedy special titled "Surprise Me," which makes its debut on YouTube at 8pm on Tuesday, April 22. In the hour-long show, he digs into a variety of different types of love, from parent-child to romantic to polyamorous—always with a humorous twist. It's free to watch and sure to be hilarious; here's a sneak peek at what to expect.
This special brings together Zimmerman's greatest hits pulled from his eight years of stand-up comedy in NYC, his appearances on late night TV shows and his book Is It Hot in Here (Or Am I Suffering for All Eternity for the Sins I Committed on Earth)? The special also brings in new, never-before-heard material, as well.
"The narrative thrust of it is about my family and trying to figure out a good definition of love," Zimmerman told Time Out New York. "So my mom tells me she loves me unconditionally, but she goes to the ballot box and votes against my rights. My ex said he loved me, but then cheated on me and dumped me on a plane. So I'm trying to figure out, what does love mean? And eventually I come to a conclusion by the end of the special navigating it all, and I won't spoil it. It's a surprise."
The plot includes bell hooks, doughnuts, evangelical Christianity, Grindr and many more surprising twists and turns.
While nearly a decade of stand-up work has gone into this special, Zimmerman said he's been working on it seriously for about a year. He partnered with production company Pretty Good Friends to create the show, and you'll notice the wardrobe and set details by Dos Jefes. When the show debuts at 8pm on April 22, Zimmerman himself will be in the chat live. ("If you don't like it, please don't comment, 'bad' because that will destroy me and my fragile ego," he joked.)
"I want to delight my current fans and find some new ones," Zimmerman said.
In terms of his familial relationships, the 36-year-old queer comedian who grew up in southern Virginia struggles to reckon with his mother who voted for President Donald Trump. In many ways, he said, it's a microcosm of American culture nowadays: "Can you coexist with someone who you fundamentally disagree on so many ways?"
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As for romantic love, Zimmerman isn't shy about sharing his heartbreaks on stage.
"I've found people like my suffering and failures and foibles," he says. "I love sharing my horrific dating stories."
Watch "Surprise Me" on YouTube. It debuts on Tuesday, April 22 at 8pm. And catch Zach Zimmerman co-hosting the Pretty Major comedy show with Jay Jurden every other Tuesday at Union Hall in Brooklyn.
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Hugh Grant 18 Liz met Hugh Grant when she was 22 Credit: GETTY The pair met when he was 27 and she was 22 on the set of 1987 movie Rowing With The Wind. They have remained firm friends ever since. Steve Bing 18 Liz dated The Polar Express producer Steve Bing for 18 months in the early 2000s Credit: MEGA Liz dated The Polar Express producer for 18 months on and off in the early 2000s, before giving birth to their son Damian. Steve Nash 18 Basketballer Steve Nash dated Liz briefly in 2001 Credit: GETTY The Canadian basketball player dated Liz briefly in 2001. At the time, a representative for Steve described the duo as having 'just vibed'. Arun Nayar 18 The actress and Arun Nayar had two wedding ceremonies in 2007 Credit: GETTY The actress and the Indian heir had not one but two wedding ceremonies in 2007. Three years later, Liz announced their divorce. Shane Warne 18 Liz and Australian cricketer Shane Warne got engaged in 2011 Credit: GETTY Liz and the Australian cricketer got engaged in 2011, but split in December 2013. After his death, she called him her 'beloved lionheart'. Justin Theroux 18 Liz denied any romance with Justin Theroux Credit: GETTY Paparazzi pics with the actor sparked rumours of a relationship. However, Liz denied any romance between them. She's forever in fashion Ever since that Versace dress, Liz has barely put a foot wrong when it comes to her style choices Put a pin in it 18 This Versace gold safety-pin dress catapulted relatively unknown Liz into the limelight in 1994 Credit: GETTY It was the Versace gold safety-pin dress that catapulted the relatively unknown Liz into the limelight in 1994. Her gravity-defying outfit, which cost £3,000 at the time was, she said: 'The first incredibly expensive dress I'd ever put on in my life.' Pretty in pink 18 Stunning Hurley dazzling in a hot pink sequin dress in 1995 Credit: GETTY Liz dazzled again in this hot-pink, sequin, maxi-dress she wore to the 1995 César Awards in Paris. Pared-back make-up and coiffed hair completed the look. Mellow yellow 18 Liz looked vibrant as she was unveiled as the new face of Estée Lauder in a £2million deal in March 1995 Credit: GETTY This vibrant yellow Versace blazer and matching skirt marked a very different look for Liz as she was unveiled as the new face of Estée Lauder in a £2million deal in March 1995 – a role she still holds 30 years on. Animal magic 18 All eyes were on Elizabeth when she flashed her leopard print knickers while wearing a red Versace dress in 1998 Credit: G4BYTB All eyes were on Elizabeth when she flashed her leopard print knickers while wearing a red Versace dress with a thigh-high split to the wedding of millionaire film producer Henry Dent-Brocklehurst and model Lilikoi Maltese in 1998. All white on the night 18 Hurley donned in white at the Rocketman premiere in May 2019 Credit: GETTY Attending the Rocketman premiere in London in May 2019, the actress showed she was out of this world as she posed in a sequined white Versace suit paired with silver heels. Her marble-effect clutch bag added a pop of colour. Barely there 18 Earlier this year, Elizabeth showed off her incredible figure in a Celia Kritharioti form-fitting optical illusion gown Credit: GETTY Stepping out at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March, Elizabeth showed off her incredible figure in a Celia Kritharioti form-fitting optical illusion gown that was covered in crystals and made it look like she wasn't wearing a dress at all. Beach babe 18 Liz showed off her enviable shape in a skimpy red two-piece Credit: INSTAGRAM The actress showed off her enviable figure in a skimpy red two-piece from her hugely successful Elizabeth Hurley Beach in a collection of shots taken in Baglioni, in the Maldives, last month. If we looked this good in a bikini at almost 60, we would too!
