Featuring some of the funniest stand-up comedians including Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Sarah Silverman, this documentary provides a plethora of candid interviews in which these comedy geniuses (and many more) give insight into their careers. Living for the laughs and not just the money is illustrated as a driving force for most of these comedians.

However, drawing laughter from a crowd is not as easy as it may seem and these comedy professionals share their struggles to make a name for themselves, often using self-deprecating stories and learning to make fun of themselves. This film really dives deep into the serious side of making a career out of stand-up comedy.

At the peak of Shydner’s career in the 1980s, he had HBO specials, several pilot TV shows, and various late night appearances, although his popularity later took a downturn. Through the collective help of over eighty comedians, he attempts to give it another go. This film follows Shydner as he seeks to connect with the young crowds of today.

The film follows Joan Rivers from her luxury Manhattan apartment, to business meetings and media appearances, revealing some of her private dramas, the dramatic ups-and-downs of her past, and the struggles and sacrifices to maintain her thriving career as a performer.

Heckler looks at the means employed by hecklers to disrupt live performances, especially stand up comedy gigs. A frequent observation by professional comedians is that there are two types of hecklers: those interested in participation and believing they are aiding the performer, and those who desire to disrupt them. It is also suggested that female hecklers often posses an underlying desire to flirt with the performer.

The film later delves into an examination of impact of the film and music critics on performers. It argues that the internet has emboldened critics in resorting to fierce personal attacks rather than giving genuine criticisms of artists’ performance, thereby making them no better than hecklers.

The film features some of the biggest personalities in the entertainment world, including Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Silverman, Bob Saget, George Carlin, Gilbert Gottfried, Paul Reiser and Drew Carey to name a few. A smash hit during the 2005 Sundance film festival, it pays homage to the art of improvisation and the finest aspects of stand up comedy.

Seinfeld: How It Began brings back the show’s creators David and Seinfeld, along with fellow stars Julia Louis-Dryfuss, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards to discuss their personal take on the origins of this beloved sitcom. These stars talk about how some of their funniest moments were born.

When it comes to TV sitcoms, Seinfeld broke the mould and allowed people to take a break from the endless lineup of family-orientated sitcoms. This one was made for the adults and gave them a laugh as Jerry and his friends deal with the everyday annoyances of adulthood.