Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel

Name: Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel
Genre: Comedy, Events & Specials
Released: April 1, 2022
Rating: 94

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Universal acclaim based on 6 Critic Reviews

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5.4

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Series Details & Credits

HBO Max | Release Date: April 1, 2022

Summary: The third stand-up special for Jerrod Carmichael was recorded at New York City's Blue Note Jazz Club.

Genre(s): Comedy, Events & Specials

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Bryan Washington

Apr 13, 2022

Season 1 Review: 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. Read full review

100

Kathryn VanArendonk

Apr 7, 2022

Season 1 Review: 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. Read full review

Garrett Martin

Apr 7, 2022

Season 1 Review: Rothaniel a startling work of confidence and bravery, and so far the best comedy special of the year. Read full review

Shirley Li

Jun 13, 2022

Season 1 Review: In his honesty and tenderness, Carmichael has created a special that blurs the line between comedy and confession, exposing how humor can relieve incredible tension while obscuring so much truth. Read full review

Caroline Framke

Apr 7, 2022

Season 1 Review: Pointed, quiet, hilarious, and heartbreaking all at once. ... ["Rothaniel"] actually achieves an intimacy that makes watching it feel like eavesdropping. Read full review

Sean L. McCarthy

Apr 7, 2022

Season 1 Review: For all of the seriousness of his revelations, Carmichael does manage to keep things from getting too dark. Read full review

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User Reviews

NobodyYouKnow

Apr 17, 2022

I've never felt so opposed to the majority critical opinion, but there's a first time for everything, I guess. To start, I didn't laugh *at all* during Rothaniel. One joke about his gramma wondering if he'd be a "top" made me smile, but that was it. The crowd, on the other hand, was laughingI've never felt so opposed to the majority critical opinion, but there's a first time for everything, I guess. To start, I didn't laugh *at all* during Rothaniel. One joke about his gramma wondering if he'd be a "top" made me smile, but that was it. The crowd, on the other hand, was laughing at *everything*. I can only assume it was a crowd of his fans (given the back-and-forth with the crowd, that's a very safe bet). It was apparent that the crowd really wanted to laugh because they were laughing at even the most mundane remarks, many of which were just factual recollections that barely rose to the level or mildly amusing.

This special is obviously not merely a comedy special, though, since Jerrod (or should we now call him Rothaniel?) used it to come out as gay. The whole special is in the context of his upbringing and his family. I've seen plenty of comics talk about their life in ways that made me laugh, but this was so matter-of-fact that it just felt like I was watching a self-conscious therapy session. There are so many pregnant pauses where Jerrod puts his head in his hand or his hand on his neck, it started feeling contrived. I get that he feels the need to express himself and gain acceptance, but it felt like he tried to shoehorn that desire into a comedy special, and it just didn't work for me. I suppose if you're really into him and are really curious about his life, this will work for you, but if you aren't already a fan, it's hard for me to imagine what the appeal would be.… Expand

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Seasons & Episodes

94

Series Overview
Season 1

94
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: April 1, 2022
- No episode information is currently available for this season