Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel
  • Network: HBO Max
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 1, 2022
Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6

Critic Reviews

  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Bryan Washington
    Apr 13, 2022
    100
    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.
  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Kathryn VanArendonk
    Apr 7, 2022
    100
    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.
  3. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Shirley Li
    Jun 13, 2022
    95
    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.
  5. Paste Magazine
    Reviewed by: Garrett Martin
    Apr 7, 2022
    95
    Rothaniel a startling work of confidence and bravery, and so far the best comedy special of the year.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Caroline Framke
    Apr 7, 2022
    90
    Pointed, quiet, hilarious, and heartbreaking all at once. ... ["Rothaniel"] actually achieves an intimacy that makes watching it feel like eavesdropping.
  7. Decider
    Reviewed by: Sean L. McCarthy
    Apr 7, 2022
    80
    For all of the seriousness of his revelations, Carmichael does manage to keep things from getting too dark.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
4.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 6 out of 17
  1. jamess
    Apr 22, 2022
    8
    It's not surprising that Jerrod Carmichael's concert Rothaniel was directed by Bo Burnham. Like his recent Inside, Rothaniel is a veryIt's not surprising that Jerrod Carmichael's concert Rothaniel was directed by Bo Burnham. Like his recent Inside, Rothaniel is a very intimate look at the artist. It's reflective and contemplative with Carmichael seated onstage on a relatively small stage, addressing the audience without the usual stand up tropes. It's part confessional/part stage performance. And Burham frames the audience in front of Carmichael as a sea of darkness. You won't find the usual cutaways to laughing, clapping audience members (I saw maybe one or two cutaways). But whether planned or not, the audience becomes another addition to the procedings, as audience members start to question and comment and reassure Carmichael like a faceless Greek chorus. Since the bulk of the material is Carmichael's coming out, it's a very personal look at his life and relationships with his family. He and Burnham take the "comedy concert" and turn it into something special and revealing.… Full Review »
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