Jerry Seinfeld quits the cozy confines of TV superstardom and dives back into the brutal world of stand-up.
But this time, there’s a catch: every joke has to be brand new.
“I’ve retired everything I’ve every written,” Jerry says.
If you like the creative process, you’ll love this doc.
It shows the dirty yet delicious grind of the art of stand-up.
Jerry and some of his fellow pros are geniuses.
“Comedian” will surely rank high when I put out my list of “Best Standup Documentaries”.
Trailer for “Comedian”
The trailer above doesn’t show any actual footage from the Comedian doc…but it’s still funny.
Watch “Comedian”
I watched “Comedian” on Netflix but they pulled it (see below) and I don’t see any other streaming service showing it right now.
I did find one guy who put up 5 excerpts of Comedian that make up 64 of the 82 minutes of the documentary.
Sorry, the quality (including audio) kinda sucks. I’ll try to find a better version.
But, for now, it’s the best we got!
Enjoy!
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Part 4:
Part 5:
An Extra Short Clip of “Comedian”
The above video isn’t an official trailer — it’s an excerpt of comedian Orny Adams asking Jerry for advice.
DVD? — For those in the stone ages, you can sometimes find a DVD or Blu-Ray of “Comedian” on Amazon here: here.
Watching “Comedian” on Netflix and Other Major Streamers
I watched “Comedian” on Netflix but unfortunately they stopped streaming it (in November 2023).
I don’t see it streaming anywhere right now (as of Sept. 16, 2024) (what a shame!).
Check back here to see if any new streamers pick it up: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/comedian
Ratings:
- My Rating: 92/100
- IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 69/100 (Users); 77/100 (Critics)
Release Date: October 11, 2002
My Review of “Comedian”
“Comedian” pulls back the curtain on the world of stand-up, offering a raw look at the highs and lows of life on the comedy circuit.
This doc follows Jerry Seinfeld as he navigates the tricky waters of creating a new act from scratch, after his wildly successful “Seinfeld” series wrapped up. What’s fascinating here is that Seinfeld, a comedy legend at the top of his game, decides to throw out all of his old material and start fresh.
The stakes are high, and even a guy like Seinfeld, with a huge fanbase and comedy chops, finds himself struggling. You feel that tension, especially when the laughs don’t land.
The Seinfeld Struggle
This isn’t about a polished, effortless performer. Seinfeld grinds.
He practices new material in small clubs, facing blank stares and polite chuckles.
I love this exchange at the 4:55 mark of the doc in which Jerry confides to Colin Quinn:
Jerry: “Everybody says it’s so easy….it’s not easy”
Colin: What’s so easy?
Jerry: “for me now, because people people know who I am.”
Colin: “Yeah, you get a little bit of a break up front…
Jerry: “Yeah”
Colin: “And then you still gotta be funny”. That’s the beauty of stand-up…it’s closest to justice.”
It’s painful, and it shows you how brutal stand-up can be. But it’s also a process—one that requires patience, practice, and failure.
You also get a front-row seat to the intricacies of building a set. Seinfeld constantly tweaks jokes, timing, and delivery. One of the film’s best moments is watching him obsess over word choice for a single punchline.
It’s a reminder that even the biggest comics never stop working on their craft.
A Tale of Two Comics
Then there’s the contrast with the rising star: Orny Adams. While Seinfeld represents the veteran working on a new challenge, Adams is the hungry, younger comic still looking for his big break.
Adams is intense, brash, and sometimes difficult to watch. He’s ambitious, but you can see the insecurities simmering beneath the surface.
The way Adams approaches comedy is a stark contrast to Seinfeld’s more zen-like patience. Adams is focused on fame and recognition, while Seinfeld, having achieved both, seems more interested in the craft of comedy itself.
Director’s Insight
Directed by Christian Charles, “Comedian” clocks in at 82 minutes and features cameos from several comedy heavyweights, including Chris Rock, Colin Quinn, and Bill Cosby (in a pre-scandal world).
The film has a loose, almost fly-on-the-wall feel. Charles doesn’t interfere much with the story, letting the footage speak for itself. You get a sense that you’re a part of this grueling process, sitting in dingy clubs, watching as jokes bomb or hit.
The doc doesn’t shy away from awkward moments, either. There are scenes where you can feel Seinfeld’s frustration, like when he flubs a joke or when an audience doesn’t react the way he expects.
You also see him dealing with the challenges of balancing a career with family life—something many of us can relate to, whether we’re comedians or not.
Orny’s Frustrations
Adams, on the other hand, struggles with the pressures of breaking into the big leagues. He wants success now. There’s a moment where he laments not being “discovered” yet, despite his hard work.
It’s cringeworthy but also very human. You feel for the guy even if his arrogance can be off-putting at times. This desperation makes Adams relatable to anyone who’s ever felt like they were on the cusp of success but just couldn’t get there.
The Comedy Circuit
The film also gives a glimpse into the comedy circuit itself. From small clubs in New York to the more glamorous stages of Las Vegas, “Comedian” captures the full range of venues where stand-ups perform.
Seinfeld might be the marquee name, but he’s grinding in the same rooms as everyone else, honing his material. This gives the doc a sense of authenticity that’s hard to fake. You can almost smell the stale beer and hear the clink of glasses in the background.
It’s interesting to see how much work goes into something that looks so effortless on stage. Seinfeld constantly refines his material, tweaking every line, every pause.
He talks about comedy as if it’s a science, and in a way, it is. Timing is crucial. Delivery is everything. You can see the wheels turning as he breaks down why a joke didn’t work or why an audience didn’t laugh.
Chris Rock
Aside from Seinfeld and Adams, the film peppers in brief appearances by other comedy legends.
Chris Rock, for example, talks about the grind of creating new material and how nerve-wracking it can be, no matter how big you are.
In one memorable scene, Rock and Seinfeld discuss Bill Cosby’s legendary stamina, with Rock marveling at how Cosby performs two shows, each over two hours long, in a single day without an intermission.
Garry Shandling
Garry Shandling’s appearance is also brief but packed with meaningful insight.
In one notable scene, Shandling offers Seinfeld candid advice about the psychological toll of performing stand-up.
At one point, Shandling emphasizes the importance of vulnerability on stage.
He tells Seinfeld that real success in comedy comes not just from getting laughs but from expressing something authentic. Seinfeld listens intently, clearly respecting Shandling’s wisdom, which adds weight to their interaction.
I love Shandling as a comedian — if you want more on him check out “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling” (I rank it 96/100!).
Lesser-Known Details
A few other notable bullets from “Comedian”:
- Seinfeld’s wife Jessica expresses concern over his obsession with stand-up, revealing the personal toll the process takes.
- Seinfeld reflects on his early days of bombing on stage and how he almost quit.
- Orny Adams’ frustrations reach a boiling point when he lashes out about not being famous. The scene, while uncomfortable, captures the brutal reality of chasing success in comedy. It also humanizes Adams, making him more than just a foil to Seinfeld’s zen.
- The loneliness of the stand-up life. Both Seinfeld and Adams spend a lot of time alone, reflecting on their sets, their material, and their place in the comedy world. It’s a reminder that even in a profession built on laughter, there can be a lot of solitude.
The Final Set
As the doc wraps up, Seinfeld finally performs his new material in front of a large crowd. The jokes hit, the audience laughs, and there’s a sense of accomplishment.
But you know it’s temporary. Seinfeld’s already thinking about the next set, the next joke, the next tweak. That’s the life of a comedian—never fully satisfied, always chasing the next laugh.
Orny Adams, meanwhile, continues to grind. His path is less certain, and the doc leaves you wondering if he’ll ever get his big break.
It’s a reminder that not every journey in comedy ends with a sitcom or sold-out arenas.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc