Jerry Seinfeld opens up about his writing process, reflecting on an early experience when somebody from the crowd yelled “heard it” and why he still thinks about that comment to this day. He shares the importance of writing, discussing how he took two years to work on a joke, and compares the art of comedy to martial arts.
#comedy #standupcomedy #interview
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I love listening to Seinfeld talk about comedy. There are few people who explain it better
But a lot who do it better
its the passion
@@tvviewer4500 I noticed Jerry over uses his yelling voice now compared to when he was younger. I used to like his more mellow observing standup where he used it sparingly for more effect
Agreed. But, listening to Louis C.K. explain his approach, for me, is equally riveting. The roundtable conversation with both, plus Rock and Ricky Gervais is outstanding.
Graham literally gets the best guys, and asks legit questions. Much props!
I really appreciate how Jerry does the daily work and protects the fresh writing process. I'm an entertainment writer too, and this is so key. Ideas take time to develop - including funny ones. Maybe especially so. Bravo, J. The proof is in your longevity of funny. ☺
What stuff have you written? I'll check it out.
I think this is true of pretty much any art form or sport or really anything worth doing or seeing. It takes a lot of time and effort to become good at something. Natural talent only carries one so far. I can see Jerry's point that it's probably easy for the average audience member to scoff at that idea with comedy since comedy is such an irreverent thing but the best comics definitely do work extremely hard to perfect their material and get the rhythms down and everything. Just because it seems silly doesn't mean they haven't worked super hard on it.
George Carlin mentioned that it’s about acoustic timing. Rhythm is important and he mastered it.
I've been watching quality Graham Bensinger interviews with high level stars for what feels like 15 years... how the hell does he not have a million subscribers yet!!??
😂
Yo same!!!! I don't get it!
Well he is competing with both tiktok and pornhub, I think given the market his subscriber number is impressive
Cause he's a tool.
@@GrahamBensingerclosed mouth doesn't get fed you gotta ask these zombies or they won't
Only Jerry Seinfield would compare being a comic to being a Navy Seal lol
He’s delusional
He didn't. He said that both persons have adrenaline. Do you think your body produces different kinds of adrenaline? Do you know that the #1 fear is speaking in front of a group of ppl? And the 2nd biggest fear is death?
@@jomojojo6603 Thats not what he said at all
Try standing on a stage in front of thousands of people and being funny for an hour and lemme know if that makes your adrenaline rise
To be fair he was clearly joking around lol if you were to ask him in all honesty he would laugh and say obviously it’s not being a navy seal. You literal fool.
2:16 "It was mean... It was TRUE." 😂
lol two ingredients to really get it to hit
Was he describing himself?
@@motorbreath22 no he said a long time ago he started a bit and a heckler yelled HEARD IT, described it as mean and true lol
I have seen some of my favorite comedians old routines on youtube and when you hear one of your favorite jokes in it's infancy, you can see how fine tuning can make all the difference. It's the wording, and the timing, and the cadence, etc... all coming together to nail it correctly.
I can think of seeing Norm MacDonald and it went well, a few bits were winners and a few were funny but just not much or just didn't land so well. When the proper recorded special came out it was what would have been about 16 shows later on the tour. (in other words, we were like a first on tour and the special filmed the end of the tour). Yes, now almost everything was the same bits, topics, I think the order of bits, the 'opener/closer' was the same order BUT you could sure see how much better it was. Some bits were the same but a few less words in the 'set up' while a few words and grammar tweaks on the punchline. Maybe another bit had 2 full sentences removed and then some kind of 'callback' or tag on the end. As you noted, sometimes it was just a bit of 'cadence'. One bit was done in faster stepping than we'd seen and it was just better and funnier that way even though nearly word-for-word the same.
I love that the poker bit bombed with Graham, too 😂😂
😂
Cause it wasn't funny lol
Does he not understand that people play poker for the competition? Especially when it's a game with your friends. He's talking about it as if it's just a game of chance. No wonder it bombed. It doesn't make sense.
well he wasn't delivering it, he was explaining it, different thing. He realizes that exposing it IN the interview destroys the joke anyway, so he knows that ship has sailed. It probably only works delicately anyway, and not with everyone, but like he said, he fought for it because he was stubborn. I can see that. If Seinfeld can take you into his head for the length of a set, he can probably get you there. He can get you slap happy. And he can use a certain joke to maneuver in a transition, highs and lows.
Dad said never explain a joke
I wonder if Jerry stole a box of raisins after the interview
Lmao. Good one
He sure did. I know it 😂
The interesting way he describes comedy makes a lot of sense. Comparing it to song writing where words have a feel to them, what a perfect way to explain it.
Yes, but it was also cringe to hear him compare it to working in an ER or being part of an elite group of Navy Seals 😂
@@eatabowlofshitforreal lol. Navy seals and doctors can be funny or even comedians for example Ken Jeong. But throw a comedian in the ER or try ro be a Navy seal and it's just not happening. So to compare is goofy
Seinfeld is a genius. I don't personally like his stand up, but I LOVED the show. He comes across as a truly genuine person who deeply cares about his artistry. He's giving golden advice here for anyone who is a performance artist.
In my opinion Larry David was a genius and he has made Seinfeld show funny not Jerry..
oh let's be honest - his stand up has always sucked. The show made it cause of Larry David
Brian Regan is my all-time favorite who delivers comedy with complete originality
A lot of art is slowly and meticulously constructed over a long period of time but then presented in a way that suggests it was spontaneously created. If people don't ever see how the sausage is made they might be disappointed when they see it. Even musicians who improvise are pulling from a catalogue that was created over a really long period of time, and then shaded and pieced and connected together in the moment.
If you can, tell Jerry that growing up watching his sitcom, which didn't take any situation seriously at all, helped teach me how to react to bad fortune, tragedy, and even catastrophe, with a sense of humor, and I am very grateful for that.
He should tell that to Larry David and Larry Charles who are the actual writers. Jerry was in the room while they wrote. Once David left, the show jumped the shark in the matter of a week.
Graham isn't going to even read this comment, let alone subsequently get a hold of Jerry just for you and pass along your words. 🙄😅
Ah, that's a shame
@maxmeier532 That's a matter of opinion. The show changed, but was still funny. Just more, well, bizarro.
I have a bit my great great great great grandfather commenced working on in 1782. Each generation since then has been working on the bit, polishing it, holding it up to the light to see the angles of bright truth and humor refracted in it, fixing the pacing and the lyricism. We have every hope that it will be ready to bring to the world within the next fifty years, but frankly it still needs its past imperfect tenses worked on as Latin can be tricky that way.
😂😂😂
This is such a great interview, but I wished it kept going on the timing topic. George Carlin talked about timing and the musicality of language and id love to hear more from Jerry about it. Also, timing and interacting with the audience is HUGE. I wonder what he thinks about allowing people to laugh and keep the bit flowing without losing people for example.
“Write or die.” What a profound statement and insight into comedy.
How refreshing the host allows the guest to speak. Good job Graham.
Michael Richards never forgot his hecklers either😂
Lmfao the bit on curb with Richard’s and jb smooth was gold Jerry! GOLD!
Where are the coasters for those sweating glasses!!!
That looks like a marble table top. You think it needs coasters?
@@atomicsmithhaha, not at all. There is just a Curb Episode about coasters
They don't respect wood. They could at least have placed a coffee table book on the coffee table.
@@KTK44 the you've got your coaster right there
congrats on another great interview with another great guest, GB!
One thing I remember from a Seinfeld talk with him and Chris Rock and Louis CK (on yt somewhere) but it was fascinating that he, for years, had only ONE foul word in his earlier acts. The f-word. He explained that he had a line that never seemed to work then one day added 'f**k' and like magic the joke worked perfectly every single time.
Poker bit still bombing 😂
It took him years 😂 and that’s the result? Jesus Christ that was painful.
I love him encouraging others to meditate. I describe it to others as feeling like you just came out of a message at an amazing spa, but on another level.
Legend❤ cool to hear about the process 👍
the victory my friend is the way you play the hand you are dealt. Just like life!
“I spoke to Chris rock yesterday” imagine being able to say that so casually
😳
He looks great but this is the first I thought, "Oh yeah, he's getting older."
I agree. Huge fan, but this is the biggest difference in his look I've ever seen compared to the last time I saw him. I think a big part is that maybe there wasn't a professional makeup person there prior to the start. He looks like he got out of bed and didn't shower almost.
@@pawelallable ha yeah. Love Jerry though.
Unlike everyone else.
Same
@@garywagner2466 Not me. I'm still the same age. Only other people change. I'll never die. Not me.
Great interviewer and Jerry seemed to appreciate it. I really enjoyed this.
He's holding up better than just about anyone in entertainment. He looks 20 years younger than he is. It's incredible. Having money and a lot of it does help but even still, it's remarkable
Its because he laughs a lot...laughter is truly the best medicine. Ive known really grumpy people in my life and they dont grow old well.
@@jonvia no they don't you're right. I hope laughing keeps me young because it's certainly been keeping me sane! Truly is best medicine, absolutely
Transcendental meditation?
Transcendental meditation
He also is wearing a piece or had some hair transplant.
Did he seriously just compare stand up comedy to seal team 6?
It's exactly the same thing..no difference whatsoever. I think that's what he said 😝😊
His weapons are Jokes🤣🤣
He compared adrenaline to adrenaline.
Lighten up.
It’s called comedy.
He's turning into Will Ferrels's Harry Carrey
I always notice that head wobble lol
It's almost Indian.
Came to the comments for this…was thinking the exact same thing
It’s a neurological condition.
Jerry is so open and giving about technique. Great stuff.
Well, true..and it makes sense as he's probably not worried about competition at this point :D
Amazing interview, thank you for bringing it to us, Sir. And Thank You Jerry for such a deep insight into Comedy & Comedy writing.
Counting syllables. I love that.
When he talks about certain jokes taking up to ten years to get right, as a poet it’s the same for me with poems. Sometimes it takes months, other times it takes years.
No one cares about your poems, dude. No one.
Excellent interview. Jerry is a great guest here. Insightful. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
The host looks like one of Elaine's boyfriends.
Gold….
This section of the interview is one of the greatest things I ever heard about comedy and I know many others have expressed similar thoughts about comedy...the joke about asking the comedian "What is the essence of Comedy?" and before the person can finish the question the comedian jumps in and says "Timing!"...that's the essence of comedy.
Why dont you go back to sleep and keep your thoughts to yourself
Loving Jerry's new hair. LOOks great.
Thick and lustrous hair is very important to me.
If you stick your hand in the hair, would it be easy to get it out ?
@@Trotter2320Do you want your hand to easily come out?
@@Trotter2320 I think you'll get it out.
The Hair Team for Men!!!
Greetings from Florida 🐬 Thank You Graham ✨ for Sharing 💕 this interview with Jerry ✨ We ✨ Luv the Beautiful ❤ Room and Decor 👌
Great questions to Jerry. Jerry returned these questions with a masterclass in comedy and human insights. So good Graham!
You don’t really admire stand up if you can’t acknowledge how good Jerry is at it.
I saw him live had to be over twenty years ago. But man, he was a consummate professional, you could tell how seriously he takes it and has massive passion for it. The act was fantastic, of course but what shocked me was how physical he got on stage, it was hysterical, if you think he just stands there at the mic, nope! You really don't know until you see him live. He owned himself and the room like few performers I've seen. Ive read two of his books too. He's a rare cat, top of the heap.
I saw him a while back and I could see him before he walked out on stage because I was on the side. He looked like he was psyching himself up even after all the years he has done this.
He makes comedy sound like rocket science and an art at the same time. Guess that's why he's good.
You don't yell at the conductor of the orchestra during the opening bars of Beethoven's 5th "heard it." The audience is there to listen, but there is always someone at the show who wants to be a part of the show and if this is their contribution to the show then they really need to work on their line.
To be fair that would kill
@@notquitehim Imagine yelling "heard it" at an ACDC concert, you'd be trampled.
Heckling is as old as comedy itself. It's part of the culture of comedy and if you can't handle some heckling as a stand up comedian, then you're not a real comedian at all.
@@OTR392 We're debating the quality
@@truthlifefishing1730 So am i.
Trust!! I've done stand up before and Jerry is telling the complete truth about Comedy. I've learned that making your friends and family laugh doesn't mean that you are ready to stand on a stage and make strangers laugh with you.
I couldn't listen to Jerry talk about work ethic and his work process all day. I'm not a comedian but I love his work philosophy.
It's the secret to his success..
I couldn't either.
WHERE ARE THE DRINK COASTERS ???? ITS MAKING ME SWEAT. LOL 😂😮😂
That looks like a marble table top, and if you look a little closer you’ll notice that IT DOESN’T BELONG TO YOU. Worry about something better.
@@atomicsmithhey gtfo, no coasters is awful.
I think we all know why Jerry doesn’t use a coaster
They don’t respect wood. 😂
Do you respect wood? -LD
That was so informative. He shared some basic knowledge with everyone on how to succeed in comedy and in music. It;s the writing!
7:38 A very quick little line that cracked me up. You can tell he's worked and worked on it to get it to that point.
I did comedy for several years. Everything he said about the process is spot on. Makes me miss it.
I'm sure you didn't mistake military for it, the embarrassing way he did
hes really great at talking about stuff .. love it.. could listen to him talk about this forever....its art , music.. the science of it cool
“Write or die.” 💯
"Write a joke about poker in the style of Jerry Seinfeld."
Was fortunate enough to see him perform at the Beacon theater maybe 10 years ago. He was in such a rhythm and got the audience in such rhythm all in unison … it would be near impossible to explain. But I’ve never experienced anything else quite like it.
“It’s write or die”. That’s profound.
Love this thank you 🤍🤍🤍
that bit about poker. it's funny just because he says it in the way that he says things. so funny.
it really isnt funny. the subtle observational stuff was cute 35 years ago. It aint even true. there is tons of people who a)play poker with friends for no money, b)play poker with friends for little amounts of money that are meaningless to them or c)people who play with strangers for money. His angle is arbitrary and just a tiny insight. You can hate poker, no problem. But it involves competition, gambling, pyschology, math and mental endurance. Those are all factors that a lot of people enjoy. I would argue being a stand up involves a lot of that. You compete with others to get spots, it's a gamble if you can ever make a living from it, you have to endure the ups and downs, and obviously you need to be able to come up with smart ideas that you develop into a bit.
Jerry is one of my Top 5 of all-time. He’s been telling people how he does it for years and is truthful. Something many comedians dont do
Today youtube offered me a short and it was jerry imagining what it was like if he was married to kramer and i was like, oh wow this is comedy this will never be less than hilarious, this is art, this will be around in one hundred years
Great interview, go Jerry!
As a hobby writer/stand up poet the sound and rhythm can give an extra kick to a funny idea. As Gerry said you have to revisit your work looking for a better word or sound.
Best line I ever heard from Seinfeld was in Toledo Ohio, walks on stage and says " Nice day for a parade....", ( some Nazis had come to town and had a march) the place went wild. Guarantee he didn't work on that one for 2 yrs. Right from the hip and broke all the tension. GENIUS
Class act
This kind of made it into the show. Remember Jerry wanted Elaine to come out to a show and she asked if it was new material.
I LOVE listening to him talk about Comedy!
. . . The glass is round. The jug is round. They should call it, Round-tine. Thats Gold Jerry . . . GOLD!! !
This reminds me back around 2006 when I was in high school, Jim Gaffigan just released an album, I think it was called More Moo Moos and my dad wanted to take me to see his standup show. We listened to his album on the way there and then his entire show was just reciting the album word for word. I was so pissed and he kept looking at me in the audience during his bit and when he was signing afterwards I almost went up to him but he knew what he did. Crafting a bit over years and having someone hear it before is not at all the same thing as reciting word for word the album you just released. I am still beside myself Jim Gaffigan did that, what a hack.
This is fascinating stuff. I’ve never heard a comedian explain “the process” like Jerry Seinfeld. Such talent comes with moments of sheer terror and a work ethic. It can’t be faked. You either have it, or you don’t. That’s why you can count on one hand how many people attempt comedy and succeed.
Great interview
Jerry is without a doubt at the top of his game, and always has been. I caught him at the Beacon a few years back, and it was incredible. Love the point about the cadence of comedy being a lot like songwriting - he's spot on. Him and Chappelle are in many ways extremely different - but you can see that dedication to cadence and rhythm in both.
Jerry is a funny guy and has been a great part of my life. He thinks and he does. He made possibly one of the funniest shows ever and I love how he’s coming back.
"I mean, it's like ER stuff, like Seal Team 6... I'm saving lives here on stage!!!". That guy is so full of himself lol, so obliviously in love with the image in his head.
I feel like this was part of a Master Class of Life
That joke about poker was awesome ❤
Jerry sounds like he's been dippin into the benzos a lil bit lol
Fantastic interview
Really good practical wisdom for performance artists.
Yet another insightful Seinfeld dissection of the writing process masquerading as celebrity interview.
Looks like he's taking the same medicine as Sharon Osborne
Hmm what do you mean?
Man! I love Jerry! He's the goods! So inspiring!
Excellent interviewer
Golden information for anyone who wants to be happy and successful.
Jerry's right though and it might even be mysterious but some jokes ONLY work when you put the exact specific combination, order and punctuation. somehow "beef" snack doesn't work but '"bovine" snack kills. I don't know if a comedian even knows why but they can find out that it DOES and make it work.
I love how talkative he is
Groucho Marx would edit his lines in movie scripts so they fit his way of talking. He wouldn't change the joke; just the way it was written, so it came out of his mouth more naturally. He probably wasn't (isn't) the only one to do this, but I've seen some pages of the scripts Groucho worked on. Just small changes, but they made a big difference.
Must've been a 'Crickets Only' poker party that night. 😂😂😂
I’m so glad the interviewer didn’t reward that shit with a fake laugh.
@@spenser9908 Yeah, I'm glad Graham stood his ground and not please that hack's fragile ego. Well done.
Great interview. Jerry is a great interview. Lot of wisdom and comedy too. Why is he aging more slowly than me??
Diet, genetics, and possibly lower stress than you.
He's a very wealthy man.
I have a bit I've been working on for thirty years, and it's not ready yet.
Your desperate attempt at comedy has failed yet again--now that's funny!
do share it...maybe we can help you with a tag or something :)
Heard it.
Gold Jerry gold !!!
Those hair plugs are looking good
Jerry is in the same zone as Heart Surgeons and Seal Team 6. I know he's a comedian but this statement is hard to digest with all the sarcasm in the hemisphere
Comedians dont risk their lives in nearly the same way as emergency room doctors and Navy Seals do. It's a gross comparison , I mean, hes a rich aloof out of touch celebrity. His opinions mean very little to those of us out here forced to live in reality.
It's crazy he's being serious, it definitely wasn't a joke or sarcasm at all. What a pompous douche
Thanks!
Love the George Burns callback
I noticed a Parkinson's wobble immediately. Did a search... apparently many others did too. Hope Jerry takes it to a specialist. -godspeed
he "appartement" deco is exactly the way I though a man like him would live
Graham is a good one. He’s good at what he does and you can tell that his guests respect him.
It took ten years to develop the recipe for Pringles potato chips. That took ten years.
Looking good for 69 years old Jerry :-)
All that children's blood
This is a clip from 93
@@klobberdude - most certainly is not. He discusses a heckler from a show in 1993, though.
@@MrJayehawk My mistake. Wasn't just the title though. I think I've seen him before this where he looked older. Appologies.
Remember when Chosen Jerry was 40yo dating a minor openly? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
So on point. The mood in a poker room SUCKS and it's laughable how serious people are in there
I believe the comedian he was referring to on the tonight show, was Freddy Prince.
Potentially yeah
But didn’t his appearances lead to a successful sitcom which is hardly a fail. 🤷🏻