The Neon Room at Helium: Janet McNamara

Janet McNamara is a Boston-bred comedian now based in New York City, where she recently became a regular at The Comedy Cellar following the viral success of her debut special, Not Smart Enough. Her special was also just featured on Vulture’s 2026 “9 New Comedy Specials You Should Definitely Watch” List. After spending 15 years balancing stand-up with a career in accounting in her hometown of Summerville, MA, Janet has emerged as one of comedy’s most distinctive voices—pairing razor-sharp joke writing with an unbothered, plainspoken delivery that sneaks up on you and then levels the room. Praised by Maria Bamford as “a fantastic comic with an amazing delivery and enviable timing of very unique material,” Janet has also had her stand-up shared by Amy Schumer and Bill Burr, further cementing her reputation as a comic’s comic with mainstream heat. Her offbeat perspective has been featured on "Don't Tell Comedy”, “America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol” (yes, really). Janet has opened for Maria Bamford, Jessica Kirson, and Eugene Mirman, and has performed at festivals including the Women in Comedy Festival, Asheville Comedy Festival, Rogue Island Comedy Festival, Boston Comedy Festival, Big Sky Comedy Festival, and Hampton Beach Comedy Festival. Her debut comedy album, Not Smart Enough, is available now on PGF Records. Management reserves the right to prevent customers from entering the facility who they deem disruptive or dangerous to other patrons.