Comedian

Oct 11, 2002

1h 22m

★ 6.6

Where does comedy come from?

Overview

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.

Genres

Comedy

Documentary

Production Companies

Bridgnorth Films

Comedian Trailers

Cast

Self

Jerry Seinfeld

Self

Orny Adams

Self

Greg Giraldo

Self

Jim Norton

Self

Sherrod Small

Self

Allan Havey

Self

Colin Quinn

Self

Cynthia Koury

Self

George Wallace

Self

Robert Klein

Self

T. Sean Shannon

Self

Gary Greenberg

A teen-age girl conceals her insecurity behind a barrage of jokes — until she meets an aspiring comedian who asks for her help with his new act. Janet is an over-weight girl who has a knack for making the other children in school laugh... by making fun of her own weight. In seeing the other kids' reactions, she feels that she might have what it takes to be a comedian. She visits the local comedy club where she finds Tony Moroni who is a struggling comedian whose jokes are less than funny. Together Tony helps Janet find self-esteem and Janet helps Tony with his material.

5.8

Festival

Jul 15, 2005

'Festival' is a black comedy set during the annual Edinburgh Fringe festival. The film is based around both the judging of a major comedy award and the performers at one of the smaller venues. Various plot strands interweave, including the bitter relationship between a famous self-obsessed British comic and his ever-suffering assistant, an actress debuting at the festival with a one-woman show about Dorothy Wordsworth and a depressed, rich housewife who spies on the stoned Canadian theatre troupe to whom she has rented out her house

7.2

La TV d'Élie Kakou

May 3, 2005

No overview available.

7.1

I Am Chris Farley

Jul 27, 2015

I am Chris Farley tells his hilarious, touching and wildly entertaining story - from his early days in Madison, Wisconsin, to his time at Second City and Saturday Night Live, then finally his film career (which included hits like Tommy Boy and Black Sheep). The film showcases his most memorable characters and skits from film and television and also includes interviews and insights from his co-stars, family and friends - including the likes of Christina Applegate, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Bob Odenkirk, Bob Saget and Adam Sandler.

0.0

The Importance of Being Ernest

Invalid Date

Through nine feature films, an Emmy-award-winning TV show, and thousands of television commercials, Ernest P. Worrell became a beloved comedy icon. Originally created as an advertising character, Ernest transcended these humble beginnings to become an unexpected hit—given life through the creativity of an indispensable team of artists, as well as through the unparalleled talent of actor Jim Varney. Today, two decades after Varney’s death, both Ernest and Jim seem to endure largely as pop culture footnotes; or worse, as easy punchlines. But there’s more to Ernest than that, and this documentary film will guide viewers through the entire Ernest epoch to examine the shelf life of a phenomenon. Using archival footage, cast and crew interviews, and never-before-seen material, we will seek to answer the questions: “Who was Ernest, who was Jim Varney, how did they relate, and why do they both mean so much to people?”

6.9

Robin's Wish

Sep 23, 2021

The final word in the story of what really happened to Robin Williams at the end of his life, focusing on his fight against a deadly neurodegenerative disorder known as Lewy body dementia.

6.8

Mae West: Dirty Blonde

Jun 16, 2020

Mae West achieved great acclaim in every entertainment medium that existed during her lifetime, spanning eight decades of the 20th century. A full-time actress at seven, a vaudevillian at 14, a dancing sensation at 25, a playwright at 33, a silver screen ingénue at 40, a Vegas nightclub act at 62, a recording artist at 73, a camp icon at 85 - West left no format unconquered. She possessed creative and economic powers unheard of for a female entertainer in the 1930s and still rare today. Though a comedian, West grappled with some of the more complex social issues of the 20th century, including race and class tensions, and imbued even her most salacious plotlines with commentary about gender conformity, societal restrictions and what she perceived as moral hypocrisy. Mae West: Dirty Blonde is the first major documentary film to explore West's life and career, as she "climbed the ladder of success wrong by wrong" to become a writer, performer and subversive agitator for social change.

4.5

The Japon

Jun 28, 2019

In 1614 a Japanese expedition led by the emperor's grandson landed in the Sevillian town of Coria del Río, and the heir to the throne fell in love with a beautiful Sevillian, formed a family and never returned to Japan. 400 years later, Emperor Satohito dies and the rightful heir turns out to be Paco Japan, a 37-year-old neighbor of Coria del Río. The life of Paco and his family will change dramatically when he sees himself overnight living in the Imperial Palace and preparing to be the new Emperors of Japan. The cultural and linguistic clash between Japanese and Andalusian will cause funny and crazy situations in this adventure where East and West shake hands.

7.9

Chop & Steele

Jun 17, 2022

Follows childhood friends turned professional comedians, Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett, the founders of the Found Footage Festival. When Nick and Joe book their gag strongman routine on unsuspecting morning news shows, their pranks go viral and land them in federal court with a vengeful media conglomerate. The stress of the lawsuit and pressure to continue their pranks threatens their livelihood and tests their lifelong friendship.

6.6

The N Word

Jan 16, 2006

An exploration of the history of the word throughout its inception to present day. Woven into the narrative are poetry, music, and commentary from celebrities about their personal experiences with the word and their viewpoints. Each perspective is unique, as is each experience... some are much more comfortable with the word than others.

7.9

Hannah Gadsby: Nanette

Jun 19, 2018

The Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby is taking an anti-comedy stance in her newest special.

8.6

Franco Escamilla: por la anécdota

Jun 8, 2018

Mexican stand-up comedian Franco Escamilla draws his jokes from real-life experiences -- and he's willing to do anything for new material. He's not afraid to make generalizations about how men bathe. But he is scared to talk to strangers. Especially at funerals.

5.0

Teaserama

Sep 16, 1955

A collection of numerous burlesque acts from the 1950s, including strippers, and cult character Betty Page introducing the acts.

6.9

Matt Rife: Lucid - A Crowd Work Special

Aug 12, 2024

In Netflix's first-ever crowd work special, Matt Rife gets up close and personal with an unpredictable Charlotte audience to riff on all things dreams.

5.4

Kill Tony: Mayhem at Madison Square Garden

Aug 25, 2025

With one minute to impress Tony Hinchcliffe and his star-studded panel, newbie stand-ups risk it all on the hallowed ground of Madison Square Garden.

0.0

Paul Reiser: Out on a Whim

Dec 5, 1987

Paul Reiser brings his sophisticated observational humor to home video in this rare showcase of his acclaimed talent as both actor and stand-up comedian. Reiser goes out on a whim searching for "The Main Thing" in a unique blend of live stand-up comedy and an uprorious out-of-body experience feautring cameo appearances by Teri Garr, Elliott Gould, Carrie Fisher, Michael J. Pollard, Desi Arnaz Jr., Woody Harrelson, Carol Kane, and many others! Join Paul Reiser for his unique perspective on such subjects as exact change, dogs, valet parking, potato chips, "They" & "The Guy", Larry Storch and much more! Go out on a whime with Paul Reiser - you'll be beside yourself with laughter.

7.1

Lucy and Desi

Jan 21, 2022

Explore the unlikely partnership and enduring legacy of one of the most prolific power couples in entertainment history. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz risked everything to be together.

6.5

Sleepwalk with Me

Aug 24, 2012

A burgeoning stand-up comedian struggles with the stress of a stalled career, a stale relationship, and the wild spurts of severe sleepwalking he is desperate to ignore.

0.0

Typisch Emil

Jun 19, 2025

90 years of Emil Steinberger - a film about courage, love and the tireless urge to constantly reinvent oneself.