A look at the work of two stand-up comics, Jerry Seinfeld and a lesser-known newcomer, detailing the effort and frustration behind putting together a successful act and career while living a life on the road.
To the cosplayers, celebrities, and superfans who took over San Diego: We love you all! Take a look at some of our favorite photos this year's Comic-Con.
Live from New York City, Jerry Seinfeld, aided and abetted by a host of friends and fellow comedians, performs his 1998 Emmy-nominated performance on Broadway.
Director:
Marty Callner
Stars:
Jerry Seinfeld,
Michael Barryte,
Grace Bustos
In his new stand-up special, Orny Adams fluctuates between the relevant and the absurd, attacking what's wrong with the world and at times including what's wrong with him.
Fresh from the success of his sitcom, comedian Jerry Seinfeld decided to do the unimaginable: he completely retired his stand-up act, electing to start over again by developing entirely new material. "Comedian" follows Seinfeld through this process, as he rehearses in front of small comedy club audiences, meets with fellow comics and finally appears before a national audience.Written by
Shannon Patrick Sullivan <shannon@mun.ca>
Interestingly, the funny in-joke teaser trailer for the film has nothing to do with its subject, doesn't feature any scenes or characters from the documentary nor does it ever mention what the movie is even about. It instead follows a trailer narrator called Jack (played by the legendary movie trailer narrator Hal Douglas who along with Don LaFontaine and Nick Tate narrated the trailers for almost every single big Hollywood blockbuster during the 1990's), who's in a recording booth trying to record the opening narration for the trailer for the Comedian, but since the film is not a typical Hollywood blockbuster, Jack is simply unable to find the right non-epic wording that would properly describe such a normal non-blockbuster movie. See more »
Quotes
Jerry Seinfeld:
I was huge. Bigger than life. I could be anywhere in the world.
[laughter]
Jerry Seinfeld:
[Cut to the airport]
Nothing makes sense. I should be at St. Bart's. Nothing makes sense.
Jerry Seinfeld:
[Cut back to the stage, in a depressing tone]
I'm in a comedy club in Cleveland.
Jerry Seinfeld:
[Back to airport]
But that's what's working.
See more »
Crazy Credits
After the credits end, there's a short scene in which Colin Quinn tells Seinfeld a very old joke. See more »
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Written by Bob Dylan
Published by Big Sky Music (SESAC)
Performed by The Band
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets See more »
This documentary is for someone who thinks stand up comedy is easy. No one has an idea what goes on behind the scenes, even the great Jerry Seinfeld, who after a hit TV series decides he wants to go back to the places that gave him his break.
We can feel the pain of newcomers such as Orny Adams who is trying to begin a career as a comedian. His presence in the film makes one understand the frustrations these actors go through on a nightly basis wherever they face a public that wants to be entertained with non stop jokes. It is very hard indeed to be able to do it every time.
The documentary is very fast in the sure hands of Christian Charles who obviously has an eye for capturing the comedians at their most vulnerable points.
We get to see a shaky Seinfeld trying new material. Sometimes he is good, but sometimes he really stink. He has been away from the scene for such a long time that it takes him a while to find his feet. His scenes with Bill Cosby, the great Robert Klein and others are the best things going with the film.
People in general will have a second view after seeing this movie about the funny men in comedy clubs.
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This documentary is for someone who thinks stand up comedy is easy. No one has an idea what goes on behind the scenes, even the great Jerry Seinfeld, who after a hit TV series decides he wants to go back to the places that gave him his break.
We can feel the pain of newcomers such as Orny Adams who is trying to begin a career as a comedian. His presence in the film makes one understand the frustrations these actors go through on a nightly basis wherever they face a public that wants to be entertained with non stop jokes. It is very hard indeed to be able to do it every time.
The documentary is very fast in the sure hands of Christian Charles who obviously has an eye for capturing the comedians at their most vulnerable points.
We get to see a shaky Seinfeld trying new material. Sometimes he is good, but sometimes he really stink. He has been away from the scene for such a long time that it takes him a while to find his feet. His scenes with Bill Cosby, the great Robert Klein and others are the best things going with the film.
People in general will have a second view after seeing this movie about the funny men in comedy clubs.