Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel (2022)

April 19, 2022 2:52 PM

Features Jerrod Carmichael in a standup comedy show at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City.

This is more than "just" a comedy show, it's directed by Bo Burnham, and it's still very funny, in parts.

The Hollywood Reporter: The comedian’s recent HBO special is part of a new wave of intimate, introspective stand-up, but it's also a masterful tightrope walk between different kinds of storytelling.

The Atlantic: Jerrod Carmichael’s HBO special exposes the way that humor can relieve incredible tension while obscuring the truth. [Archive version]

posted by chavenet (6 comments total)

On the offshot chance that you come to this fanfare thread and do not know what to expect from Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel (2022) - that is, that the comedy special has not been spoiled for you yet: try to keep it like that and watch it as soon as possible.

I had no idea what it would be about and IT WAS GREAT.
posted by bigendian at 4:42 PM on April 19, 2022 [3 favorites]

This was fantastic. Highly recommend.
posted by DowBits at 5:14 PM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Much like I don't think horror necessarily needs to be "scary" in the usual sense, I also don't think stand-up needs to be "funny" in the usual sense. This is a good example of that -- yes, there are parts that made me laugh but the parts that made me laugh opened me up to what this is actually about. It's beautiful. Comedy is more than just making jokes -- it's about forming a connection.

It's not that long as these things go and I think that adds to its effectiveness. I don't think it's quite on the level as what someone like Hannah Gadsby does or what Bo Burnham (who directed this) does but it doesn't need to be. Jerrod Carmichael is doing his own thing and that's great. I absolutely want to see more from him now.
posted by edencosmic at 5:52 PM on April 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

We just finished watching this and it was excellent.
posted by ceejaytee at 6:00 PM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

I have never seen a comedian talk to his audience and invite them into the show the way that Carmichael does in this. It was insanely intimate in places, the way he interacted with the crowd like he knew them all. There's never a moment when I feel like he isn't in control of the crowd, even when they surprise him. He was masterful.
posted by gladly at 6:10 PM on April 19, 2022 [6 favorites]

I don't think it's quite on the level as what someone like Hannah Gadsby does or what Bo Burnham (who directed this) does but it doesn't need to be.

For what it's worth, I liked this much better than any of the Bo Burnham stuff I've seen. Orders of magnitude more authentic and earnest.
posted by Rock Steady at 10:09 AM on April 20, 2022 [2 favorites]