Bob Einstein was the kind of guy who could make the most seasoned comics break—Seinfeld, Letterman, even Larry David couldn’t keep a straight face.
The “Super Bob Einstein Movie” ranks #17 in my list of “The Funniest Documentaries” (I’m up to 30!).
Trailer for “The Super Bob Einstein Movie”
Watch “The Super Bob Einstein Movie”
You can watch “The Super Bob Einstein Movie” on HBO Max at https://play.max.com/show/890db639-68b1-4b6c-9c50-bdcec87fe070
Ratings:
- My Rating: 90/100
- IMDB Rating: 73/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 87/100 (Users); na/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: Danny Gold directed this 75-minute doc. He also did these 2 great docs: “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast” and “Killing Me Softly with His Songs”.
Release Date: December 28, 2021 on HBO and HBO Max
My Review of “The Super Bob Einstein Movie”
The Setup
This is a love letter to one of comedy’s weirdest and most fearless legends: Bob Einstein—aka Super Dave Osborne.
A towering deadpan genius, Einstein created a character so ridiculous (yet lovable) that even the most jaded comics—like Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David—crack up just watching his bits decades later.
This tribute doc is part roast, part history lesson, and part “what-the-hell-was-that?” highlight reel.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Bob Einstein’s father literally died on stage at a Friars Club roast in 1958—right after killing with a comedy set. His dad was Harry Einstein, a beloved radio comic known as “Parkyakarkus.” He finished his roast speech (honoring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz), sat down between Milton Berle and Art Linkletter… and collapsed from a heart attack. He died right there, mid-laughs. Sixteen-year-old Bob was in the audience.
- Einstein was so protective of his comedic vision that he turned down major acting opportunities (including from Woody Allen) because he didn’t want to simply be another comic actor—he demanded complete creative control of his Super Dave character.
More Highlights from the Doc
- Einstein survived polio as a child, and while recovering, got hooked on TV comedy—setting the stage for a career in the absurd.
- Despite his fame as a bumbling stuntman character, Einstein stood 6’5″ and played basketball at Chapman College in California before transferring to UCLA.
- Despite creating a character famous for botched stunts and physical comedy, Einstein refused to do any physical comedy himself. The Super Dave character never actually performed stunts—Einstein would talk to the camera beforehand, then a stunt double would do the disastrous stunt, and Einstein would appear afterward mangled in increasingly ridiculous ways.
- Multiple hip-hop artists including Ice Cube, Kanye West, Beastie Boys and A Tribe Called Quest name-dropped “Super Dave” in their lyrics, cementing his cross-cultural impact.
- Einstein once played a character named Arnold Fillmore on the bizarre late-’70s sketch show “The Arbogast & Margolis Show” where his bit was pretending to install stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Jimmy Kimmel, Susie Essman, and others don’t just share memories—they howl with laughter rewatching Super Dave clips. That alone is worth the runtime.
- Einstein pioneered his comedy career as a writer on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” where he won an Emmy for his writing during the show’s controversial run.
- The doc includes killer footage from Einstein’s time on “Bizarre” and “The Super Dave Osborne Show”—both of which showcased his signature stunts where he’d attempt daredevil feats and end up crushed, electrocuted, or launched into space.
- There’s a great breakdown of his work as Marty Funkhouser on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” where his absurd earnestness made him one of the most unforgettable characters in Larry David’s universe.
Cameos
The documentary features an impressive lineup of comedy legends singing Einstein’s praises, including Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman, Norman Lear, David Letterman, Susie Essman, Steve Martin, and Rob Reiner. Many are shown laughing uncontrollably while watching clips of Einstein’s performances.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Einstein was the older brother of acclaimed comedian and filmmaker Albert Brooks (born Albert Einstein), and the two barely discussed their comedy careers with each other, despite both being legends.
- His father Harry Einstein was a beloved radio comedian (“Parkyakarkus”) who died on stage at a Friars Club roast in 1958—right after killing with a bit. Bob, 16 years old, was in the audience.
- Einstein originally worked in advertising before getting pulled into comedy after writing a bit for a local TV show that landed him an Emmy.
- Bob turned down many acting gigs because he didn’t want to be known as “just” a comic actor—he wanted full creative control over Super Dave.
- One of his first writing jobs was on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” where he worked alongside Steve Martin.
Wrap Up
If you’ve ever laughed at something completely ridiculous and then laughed even harder because the comedian was so committed to the bit—this is your kind of doc. “The Super Bob Einstein Movie” makes you realize that some legends don’t just tell jokes—they are the joke.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc