Starring: Jerry Seinfeld
Directed by: Michael Bonfiglio
Rated: TV-14
Plot
This is the first of Seinfeld's two comedy specials for Netflix. This one was filmed at the Comic Strip in NYC, new material is interspersed with childhood videos and legal pads dating to 1975 with every joke he's written.
Verdict
While I haven't seen much of Seinfeld's work, this feels classic as far as I know his stand up snippets from his show Seinfeld. From what I've read, this is a greatest hits set with no new jokes. His style is observational, questioning everyday norms and social structure. This set is plenty amusing, with a knowing nod rather than clutch your sides laughter. I hoped for a bit more history with the way this was billed though we do get a few childhood videos.
Watch it.
Review
Jerry Seinfeld returns to the club where he first started. The Comic Strip was a springboard that landed him late show appearances with Johnny Carson and David Letterman. He reminisces about the past, both the club and his child hood. He shares his first joke that questioned the use of the word "left." I was expecting more background. Videos are interspersed with his set, but it isn't very extensive. We see a shot of notepads spread out on the street, but we don't delve deep into his old jokes. I thought he may flip through some of the notes and rate his old jokes. Jerry makes a few comments about his youth and getting into comedy, but there aren't any additional interviews. He does talk to a couple of the comedians he worked with when he was at The Comic Strip. His focus is early stand up. He doesn't discuss his show that made him a house hold name.
His routine can be summed up with an opening snippet from Seinfeld about Ovaltine. Why is it called Ovaltine when it comes in a round container and you pour it into a round mug? That's his style, questioning the world around us and pointing out questionable logic. It's fairly clean comedy, opening with riding on the train, riding in the cab, and taking an Uber. He talks about growing up with the mystery of the thermostat and coming out to his parents as a funny man.
It's a solid hour with no bad jokes. The one odd moment is when, who I assume is an audience plant, interrupts him to ask about book ends in the background. Jerry mentions he brought these Superman book ends and then pretends to not know where Superman landed. It's Kansas, and he has to know that since it's well known he's a big fan. It was just a strange moment.
Seinfeld is also working on new episodes of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee that will air exclusively on Netflix. Jerry and a comedian get a cup of coffee while riding in a classic car.
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