(Plus: NA drink pairings because we’re classy like that.)
Let’s retire the myth that you need alcohol to be interesting. If that were true, every airport bar would be filming a Netflix special. This list is my public love letter to comedians who are sober, in recovery, or who’ve publicly said: “I quit drinking.” Because comedy is already a high-wire act. Doing it without a chemical safety net? That’s next-level.
Why the NA drink pairings?
Because comedy and drinking have been glued together for decades, like a two-person improv team that refuses to break up. When you quit drinking, you don’t just lose alcohol; you lose the default prop that makes social situations feel easier: something to sip, hold, and order without thinking.
So these NA pairings are my playful way of saying: you still get to have a “signature drink” and a whole personality. I matched each comedian with an NA beverage that fits (IMO) their comedic flavor, like a tiny drink-menu love letter. I’m pairing each comedian with an NA drink that matches their energy level. Think:
- Craig Ferguson = ginger beer, because he’s sharp, warm, and will make you cry-laugh while still feeling safe.
- Marc Maron = black coffee, because he’s honest with a little bite.
These pairings aren’t about pretending alcohol still runs the show. They’re about replacing “what do I do with my hands” with something that says: I’m here. I’m fine. I’m funny. And I brought my own sparkle.
Pairings Disclaimer: Pairings are based on vibe, not sponsorship. LOL
How the sobriety dates are listed.
I’m using what each comedian has publicly shared:
- Exact date (bless them)
- Year (still great)
- Publicly quit drinking (if the date isn’t clearly documented)
A quick note on accuracy: I pulled these sobriety details from publicly available interviews and statements, but humans are not spreadsheets. If you spot something outdated or incorrect, tell me kindly and I’ll update it. Also, sobriety is a living thing, so this list reflects what each person has shared publicly, not a real-time breathalyzer. Consider it progress-not-perfection, curated with love and laughter.
Craig Ferguson
Sober since: 1992
What to watch/listen to: His sobriety monologues and interviews
NA pairing: Ginger beer + lime
Why he’s on this list: Because he can talk about addiction without making it heavy and still make you laugh so hard you forget you were nervous about sobriety in the first place.
Vibe: “Your funny uncle… who actually did the work.”
VIDEO: Check out an interview with Ellen where he talks about his recovery and suicide attempt.
Marc Maron
Sober since: August 9, 1999
What to watch/listen to: WTF with Marc Maron
NA pairing: Black coffee
Why he’s on this list: He’s proof that sobriety doesn’t remove your edge. It just gives your edge a therapist and a microphone.
Vibe: “Self-awareness, but with swearing.”
PODCAST EPISODE: Check out this interview with Marc on one of my fav podcasts, DOPEY.
Margaret Cho
Sober since: 8.5 years sober as of Dec 11, 2024 (approx. mid-2016)
What to watch/listen to: Out100 interview clips + her standup
NA pairing: NA rosé
Why she’s on this list: Because she makes sobriety look like a power move. Like: “I quit substances and immediately got hotter, funnier, and more unbothered.”
Vibe: “No shame. All shine.”
VIDEO: Check out Neal Brennan’s interview with Margaret Cho on Drinking, Drugs, and Sobriety.
Dax Shepard
Sober since: 2004
What to watch/listen to: Armchair Expert
NA pairing: Hop water
Why he’s on this list: Because he talks about sobriety the way most people talk about fantasy football: relentlessly, passionately, and with unnecessary detail. (We love him for it.)
Vibe: “Golden retriever honesty.”
Sober Curator Pro Tip: I once curated a list of sober celebs that have been on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepared and you can peep that list out HERE.
Kristen Johnston
Sober since: Approx. 2007
What to watch/listen to: Interviews around her memoir Guts
NA pairing: Tart cherry soda
Why she’s on this list: She is what happens when you survive something gnarly and come out with the ability to tell the truth and still be hilarious.
Vibe: “The comeback story in a leather jacket.”
Sober Curator Fun Fact: I reviewed Kristen’s book GUTS and rated it 4 out of 5 Sobees. ICYMI – The Sobees scores are the internal scoring system here at The Sober Curator.
Sam Miller (My Local Favorite)
Sober since: 2008
What to watch/listen to: Round Trip
NA pairing: NA beer
Why he’s on this list: Because you interviewed him, he’s local, and his story makes people laugh while also quietly reminding them they can survive their own plot twists.
Vibe: “Hilarious, human, and secretly inspiring.”
Sober Curator Fun Fact: I interviewed Sam back in 2024 and this dude is blowing up. If he’s not already on your radar, you gotta go check out his recent special “Round Trip.”
John Mulaney
Sober since: Publicly in recovery
What to watch/listen to: Post-rehab material and interviews
NA pairing: Spindrift
Why he’s on this list: Because a whole bunch of people watched him go down, then watched him get back up and thought: “Wait… maybe I can do that too.”
Vibe: “Polished chaos.”
Sober Curator Fun Fact: If you haven’t watched John’s interview with David Letterman (who is also sober), check out My Next Guest Is.
Nikki Glaser
Sober since: Publicly sober / quit drinking
What to watch/listen to: Recent standup + interviews
NA pairing: NA spritz
Why she’s on this list: Because she’s hilarious and she’ll say the quiet part out loud about anxiety, dating, and using alcohol as social Wi-Fi.
Vibe: “Honesty, but make it hot.”
VIDEO: Nikki doesn’t think she’ll ever drink again
Theo Von
Sober since: Publicly sober / in recovery
What to watch/listen to: Podcast clips where he talks about sobriety
NA pairing: Topo Chico
Why he’s on this list: Because he’s the guy who can say something heartbreaking and then immediately follow it with a sentence so bizarre you spit out your beverage.
Vibe: “Bayou philosopher.”
Sober Curator Fun Fact: Because I find his mullet sexy, I’ve been curating a YouTube playlist of all of his episodes that reference sobriety and/or addiction.
Neal Brennan
Sober since: Publicly quit drinking
What to watch/listen to: Netflix specials + Blocks
NA pairing: NA old-fashioned
Why he’s on this list: Because he’s what happens when you replace drinking with self-inquiry and then monetize the thoughts.
Vibe: “Smart pain, well dressed.”
Sober Curator Fun Fact: I saw Neal Brennan in Seattle in 2024 and I’m pretty sure the entire set was directed at me personally. I DM’d him after to say thanks for the much-needed laugh, and he confirmed it. So anyway, we’re basically together now. (He just hasn’t been informed.)
Drew Carey
Sober since: Publicly quit drinking
What to watch/listen to: Interviews about lifestyle changes
NA pairing: Iced tea
Why he’s on this list: Because nothing is more inspiring than a guy who said “I’m gonna change my life,” and then actually did it.
Vibe: “Dad energy, but upgraded.”
PODCAST: Check out this interview with Drew on the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard.
Pete Holmes
Sober since: Alcohol-free
What to watch/listen to: Standup + podcast conversations
NA pairing: Kombucha
Why he’s on this list: Because he’s the embodiment of: “I don’t drink, but I do have a spiritual experience at brunch.”
Vibe: “Joyful weirdo.”
PODCAST: Check out this interview with Pete on the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard.
Whitney Cummings
Sober since: Publicly quit / discussed sobriety
What to watch/listen to: Podcast longform
NA pairing: Coconut water
Why she’s on this list: Because she’s a walking reminder that self-work doesn’t kill your comedy. It gives it better lighting.
Vibe: “Therapy, but funny.”
VIDEO: Whitney talks about sobriety on the show We Might Be Drunk. Ironic and I am here for it.
Chris Gethard
Sober since: Publicly sober
What to watch/listen to: Specials and interviews
NA pairing: Seltzer + bitters
Why he’s on this list: Because vulnerability is his superpower and sobriety fits right into the truth-telling.
Vibe: “Big heart, big laughs.”
PODCAST: Check out his podcast Beautiful/Anonymous
Jane Lynch
Sober since: Publicly sober
What to watch/listen to: Interviews/memoir content
NA pairing: NA cider
Why she’s on this list: Because she’s charming, talented, and sober… which is basically a triple threat without the hangover.
Vibe: “Classy and crushing it.”
VIDEO: Check out this clip of Jane on SoberHop
Russell Brand
Sober since: Publicly in recovery
What to watch/listen to: Early standup + recovery talks
NA pairing: Hot tea
Why he’s on this list: Because he talks about recovery like it’s a religion and then adds jokes.
Vibe: “Poet with a microphone.”
VIDEO: I love the Diary of a CEO podcast, which I watch regularly. Check out this interview with Russell on that show.
Artie Lange
Sober since: Publicly in recovery
What to watch/listen to: Recovery interviews
NA pairing: Root beer
Why he’s on this list: Because his story is complicated and real, and people see themselves in that.
Vibe: “Brutal honesty.”
VIDEO: Artie talks 12-step on the Joe Rogan show.
Jim Norton
Sober since: Decades sober (publicly)
What to watch/listen to: Podcast segments and standup
NA pairing: Black cherry seltzer
Why he’s on this list: Because “sober” does not mean “soft.” Jim Norton would like everyone to know that.
Vibe: “Still spicy.”
VIDEO: Want more of Jim? Check him out on the Jim and Sam Show.
Pete Davidson
Sober since: Public sobriety reset (2024+)
What to watch/listen to: 2024+ interviews about sobriety
NA pairing: Lemonade
Why he’s on this list: Because he speaks directly to the fear: “What if I’m not funny without it?” and then shows he is.
Vibe: “Vulnerable chaos, cleaned up.”
VIDEO: Pete opens up about his new sobriety on Breakfast Club Power radio show.
Rob Delaney
Sober since: 2002 (celebrated 20 years sober in Feb 2022)
What to watch/listen to: Catastrophe (Amazon Prime) for peak Delaney humor: painfully honest, deeply human. Bonus: any interview where he talks about sobriety with his signature deadpan warmth.
NA pairing: Sparkling water with lemon (simple, sharp, doesn’t try too hard, just like his jokes)
Why he’s on this list: Delaney is the rare comedian who can make you laugh and then sneak in a moment of tenderness without you noticing until you’ve already texted your best friend “I’m fine” while not being fine.
VIDEO: Check out this interview with Rob on sobriety and laughter.
Honorable Mention: Not Sober, But Has a Great Sober Joke
Not sober, but sober-adjacent comedy: Jim Gaffigan has a killer bit about the awkwardness of not drinking. It’s a great watch if you’re navigating the social side of sobriety.
Closing: Comedy Is Better Without the Blur
Comedy is truth with timing. Alcohol messes with both. When comedians quit drinking, they don’t lose their spark; they stop setting it on fire. So raise your NA pairing, press play, and let the proof do the talking:
Funny doesn’t live in a bottle. It lives in you.
Welcome to The Sober Curator’s ultimate hub for SOBER ENTERTAINMENT & EVENTS —a vibrant space where living alcohol-free is anything but boring.
In the TSC Library, explore book reviews across three standout genres: #QUITLIT, Addiction Fiction, Self-Help, and even NA Recipe Book reviews.
On-screen? The Mindful Binge TV series reviews, Movie Night movie reviews, and Recovery Podcastland + Network podcast roundups all use our signature Sobees Scoring System, so you know exactly what’s worth your time.
More ways to get inspired:
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From binge-worthy shows to can’t-miss events, this is your go-to destination for entertainment that fits your alcohol-free life.
SOBER EVENTS at The Sober Curator keeps you in the loop on alcohol-free gatherings happening nationwide. From sober comedy shows and non-alcoholic tastings to festivals, retreats, and sporting events, we highlight vibrant, community-driven experiences from coast to coast. Our goal? To keep you entertained, inspired, and connected—no matter where you live. Need more sober time than one event? We’ve got your back with our Sober Retreat Calendar.
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