Jerry Seinfeld’s 2002 documentary about stand-up comedy was titled Comedian.
Directed by Christian Charles, Comedian follows Seinfeld after the end of Seinfeld, the sitcom he co-created and starred in. The film focuses on his decision to develop new stand-up material and return to the demanding process of performing in clubs.
Rather than presenting a conventional biography, the documentary examines how comedians write, test, revise, and sometimes abandon jokes. It also includes appearances by other performers, including Orny Adams, whose career and ambitions provide a contrasting perspective.
The title can cause confusion because “comedian” is also a generic description of Seinfeld’s profession. In this case, it is the official one-word title of the film, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before its theatrical release.