Watch Jerry Before Seinfeld

Jerry Before Seinfeld is a 2017 American comedy film directed by Michael Bonfiglio and written by Jerry Seinfeld. The film is a stand-up comedy special, focusing on the life of comedian and TV host Jerry Seinfeld before the airing of his famous television series. The film features live performance footage from The Comic Strip, a comedy club in Manhattan where Seinfeld first began his career in the 1970s. Additionally, Seinfeld shares intimate and revealing anecdotes from his life and career, offering a unique insight into his creative process and the evolution of his comedic style.

The film is divided into two parts: the first part features Seinfeld performing a stand-up comedy routine for a live audience at The Comic Strip, while the second part features a combination of stand-up comedy and interviews. The interviews are conducted with Seinfeld in the same location where he wrote the majority of his material in the early days of his career: his childhood home in Massapequa, New York.

Throughout the film, Seinfeld recounts his early days as a struggling comedian, discussing his inspirations, his early comic premises, and memorable moments from his early career. He describes how he became fascinated with comedy at an early age, paying particular attention to the way comedians he admired performed their routines, using their mannerisms and inflections to inform his own style.

In between stand-up performances, Seinfeld shares anecdotes from his personal life, including childhood memories and his experiences growing up in Long Island. He also shares his thoughts on the state of the world, his opinions on other comedians, and the challenges of living a life in the public eye.

The film also features appearances from Seinfeld's friends and fellow comedians, including Jimmy Brogan and Mark Schiff. Brogan, a fellow comedian who worked with Seinfeld at The Comic Strip in the early days of their careers, shares memories of their time together and discusses Seinfeld's early comedic style. Schiff, another veteran comedian, reflects on his own career and shares his thoughts on Seinfeld's contributions to the comedy world.

Overall, Jerry Before Seinfeld is a nostalgic and intimate look at the early days of one of America's most beloved and influential comedians. It offers a unique peek into Seinfeld's creative process, his early comic inspirations, and the development of his unique comedic style. The film combines live performance footage with candid interviews and intimate anecdotes, making it a must-see for any fan of Seinfeld's iconic brand of humor.