It currently has a score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
While Saturday Night Live isn’t for everyone, pretty much everyone could agree that Jerrod Carmichael recently had one of the best opening monologues in that show in a long time.
“Who is Jerrod Carmichael?” comes the response from many of you, which is fair, as he himself declares, he might be the most un-famous person ever to host SNL:
Carmichael has actually appeared in quite a few high-profile movies, including Bad Neighbours, The Disaster Artist and Transformers: The Last Knight (for which JOE actually interviewed him FIVE years ago!), but in the States he is far more famous for his stand-up routines.
He recently released a HBO stand-up special by the name of Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel, which was directed by none other than Bo Burnham, who recently found even more success with his own comedy special, Inside.
Rothaniel was recorded inside New York’s legendary Blue Note Jazz Club, and it sees Carmichael tackle some huge issues include race, sexuality and secrecy within families.
The special has a score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes following its debut on HBO in the States, with critics absolutely pouring their praise on to the project:
Vulture – “It is a remarkable piece of conceit, craft, performance, and vision, and it’s a truly astonishing way to probe so many ideas that have been bubbling up over the past several years about the role of comedy and how we value authenticity.”
The New Yorker – “Jerrod Carmichael’s new HBO comedy special, Rothaniel, is a vulnerable offering wrapped inside a virtuoso performance. … Deft visuals mesh with Carmichael’s opening lines, which situate his audience as confidants, or even something more.”
Paste – “Rothaniel a startling work of confidence and bravery, and so far the best comedy special of the year.”
Variety – “Pointed, quiet, hilarious, and heartbreaking all at once. … [it] actually achieves an intimacy that makes watching it feel like eavesdropping.”
Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel is available to watch with a NOW Entertainment Membership right now. You can check out a clip from the special right here:
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