TV Netflix announces Def Comedy Jam anniversary special The lineup includes Dave Chappelle, Tracy Morgan, Cedric the Entertainer, and more By Ariana Bacle Published on August 24, 2017 09:40AM EDT Twenty-five years ago, Def Comedy Jam premiered on HBO. The series, produced by Russell Simmons, featured stand-up sets by black comedians and ultimately helped kick-start the careers of comics like Dave Chappelle and Tracy Morgan. Now, those comics are going to help celebrate the series’ anniversary with a new Netflix special, Def Comedy Jam 25. According to Netflix, the special will celebrate “the impact and legacy of the long-running comedy series with surprise guests, tributes, and performances in a can’t-miss evening of unbelievably funny and raw moments.” Both Chappelle and Morgan will be there, along with Bill Bellamy, Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, Adele Givens, Eddie Griffin, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Kid Capri, Martin Lawrence, Craig Robinson, JB Smoove, Sommore, Joe Torry, Sheryl Underwood, and Katt Williams. Def Comedy Jam first ran from 1992 to 1997 before returning from 2006 to 2008. Simmons recently announced that he’s rebooting the series for HBO, and the new version will debut before the year’s end. Def Comedy Jam 25 premieres on Netflix this fall.