Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel

I liked him a lot on Saturday night live. He was great.

I guess it makes sense that this special is in a jazz club, because it's not really standup. It's more like sitting in on someone's therapy session, and in that sense it kind of winds around like a jazz song and keeps hitting certain themes repeatedly.

There are some funny lines here and there as he tells the story of his family, the kind you use to joke away pain. It's not a hahahaha hilarious standup special, it's more like a one-man show.

But I don't see that as a bad thing.

It's been awhile since I've seen a new comedian who didn't think 'funny' was to tear others down.

Jerrod's humour comes from the pain/truth of his life. That's both funny and sad.

The throw away line that he could never bring someone home to meet his Mom, will stick with you. For you hope that it's not true; but feel for him because he believes it.

By the end, you will cheer for him to find happiness and acceptance.

It's a rare performance well worth your time.

Carmichael is edifying and empathetic supplying comedic relief while offering himself unconditionally. Melancholy at times due to life sensitivities but an essential show shedding light on millions more Carmichael's across the world.

Ive seen people give this special bad ratings saying stuff like "hes not making the jokes the whole time and instead talks about serious stuff, if you wanna be laughing the whole time watch 8." And yeah, thats technically true, but if thats your barometer for what a good special is then ligma ballllz and read a review before watching something. I think the special was moving, being funny when he wanted to and personal on his own terms. It worked well for me. Less go!

Transcendent, honest, and modern. A conversation about the secrets we keep, and I mean conversation. It's open, and breezy. With talk with the audience scattered throughout. But that doesn't take away from the structure, it is beautifully structured.

I won't spoil anything, despite news outlets talking about parts of the special already.

JUST WATCH IT, you won't regret it.

Incredible. Simply incredible.