JERRY SEINFELD COMEDIAN

If JERRY SEINFELD COMEDIAN was only about Jerry Seinfeld deciding to resurrect his career as a stand-up comedian, after ending his hit TV show, it would be a rather narrowly focused and possibly short story. But the documentary goes beyond this premise and explores a number of other issues and ideas about comedy, performing, career choices and just what it takes to be a comedian. Anyone considering this type of career should see this documentary.

Before his television show Jerry Seinfeld did stand-up comedy. He was on the road most months of the year performing around the country. For twenty years he built up his routine, his jokes, timing and rapport with audiences. Seinfeld wanted to go back in 2002 with new material, new jokes that needed to be tested. This meant spending nights at comedy clubs like the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City.

In the film new comics like Orny Adams live a very insecure life as they try to get notoriety and maybe a spot on David Letterman or Jay Leno to get some national coverage. The documentary spends some time contrasting Orny Adams and his struggles for recognition with Jerry who while well known is also struggling to get his act together. They end up with the same agent, George Shapiro who has worked with Jerry Seinfeld previously.

In addition to being a must see documentary for anyone thinking about becoming a comedian, JERRY SEINFELD COMEDIAN is an entertaining, well paced documentary that goes behind the scenes including conversations Jerry has with other comedians including Greg Geraldo, Sherrod Small, Jim Norton, Robert Kline, Jay Leno, Gary Shandling, Bill Cosby and at least dozen others. There are no lower third graphics to identify everyone so it is difficult to be sure who is who unless you have seen them perform.

While it’s not difficult to identify with Jerry and his struggles to get back out there with new material, stage presence and good connection to audiences; his life style in between is more poor little rich boy as he commutes between gigs in his corporate jet. This is not the life of a typical standup comedian working and getting an act together. But Jerry’s success previously does present obstacles for him because audiences expect him to be as funny as he was before as a comedian and on television.  Not every joke works first time out so it takes time to refine material. Like most comedians Jerry is extremely sensitive about audience reactions and if his material is working.

One of the interesting things about this documentary is the that it gives you a glimpse into the personality of the clown, the person who makes jokes on stage but has real human needs off stage. Jerry Seinfeld and maybe a couple dozen comics at any given time live a comfortable, successful life. There are scores of others living hand-to-mouth, trying to be funny.

JERRY SEINFELD COMEDIAN is and excellent documentary, well edited with a fine musical score, entertaining and informative. It is shot in an intimate fashion often in low light situations in clubs and other venue still keeping the lighting feeling natural. There are some good jokes and funny scenes too, which a documentary about a comedian must include by default.

REVIEW BY – J R MARTIN – Author Documentary Directing and Storytelling and other books. See other documentary reviews by J R Martin at https://www.jrmartinmedia.com/reviews

JERRY SEINFELD COMEDIAN –  2002 – 82 MINUTES – DIRECTED BY CHRISTIAN CHARLES – PRODUCED BY GARY STREINER MIRIMAX FILMS

TRAILER – The trailer for JERRY SEINFELD COMEDIAN was done as a spoof, an anti trailer trailer. Now a classic itself.

Books by James R (Jim) Martin

Actuality Interviewing and Listening

Documentary Directing And Storytelling – How to Direct Documentaries and More