It’s probably the first documentary I ever saw on a stand-up comedian, and for its time one of the most in-depth looks at the act-building process for a performer at the top of his game. The timing of it remains interesting to me. Comedian was released in 2002, which came four years after the conclusion of Jerry Seinfeld’s sitcom run and a year before Bowling for Columbine would bring documentaries greater attention and wider theatrical releases. So not a lot of people saw it.
The subject matter was relatively unexplored territory though, and would probably do better today if not for everyone seeming to explore the world of comedy clubs and the seriousness of stand-ups these days. We’re treated to seeing the biggest comedy act in the world do something unheard of at the time: tossing out his joke-ography, retiring his old act, and starting from scratch again.
This is almost expected of comedians now, with the most famous example of Louis CK crafting an hour-long set every year and scrapping it all after recording a special for HBO or whomever. Seinfeld is more old school, so seeing him try out new material, especially when it was too fresh and bombed in front of club audiences, was a bit of a jolt. Juxtaposed with his story is an up-and-comer in Orny Adams, and their trials and struggles run parallel in ways that offer a glimpse at what it takes to rise in the comedic ranks.
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