Andy Kaufman on SNL (1975) vs. Jim Carrey as Andy in Man on the Moon (1999)

[@davidsingh6944]

Jimmy does it kinda silly and exaggerated. Andy plays it like a 1930’s movie star.

[@daytripperhd]

yes. he was lauded for this portayel. not by me tho

[@peivandryks5217]

Maybe he looked for this a bit over the top interpretation purposely.

[@davidsingh6944]

@@peivandryks5217 many actors today are handicapped because they interpret characters as a reflection of themselves.

[@Ebert-Pincus]

I was struck how awful it was from the first time I saw it. If that's the best from one of the greatest physical comedy geniuses' we've had, it shows how brilliant Kaufman was!

[@gart9680]

Jim hams it up. Doesn't need it. It's the subtle approach that makes it killer.

[@grawakendream8980]

yes

[@ililililil8385]

@@grawakendream8980 i don't understand why they cast Jim to play Andy Kaufman. They're nothing alike.

[@grawakendream8980]

@@ililililil8385 i think politics, his star power, his interest in andy. but, i agree with you

[@williampardlow5988]

He was a box office star back then.

[@siberwolf33]

Kaufman's subdued delivery and lack of mannerisms builds the tension better. Carey can't sit still. Of all the hilarious crap that Andy did, still what I find most hilarious is that he worked as a busboy remaining in character and refusing to confirm to people who recognized him that he was actually Andy Kaufman.

[@StickItUpYrBumGugle]

To be fair to Jim Carey, perhaps he was considering that it'd be primarily intended for the big screen.

[@ReaA-nn2jx]

Yeah I recognize that too, Andy's swaying of his left leg during his 'part' was so much smoother and organic, making it all more natural to the audience, when it first appeared in the 70s, you didn't know if he was for real or not 😅

[@MarkSiosal]

Jim looks more like he's nervous. Andy's face is showing less if you get what i'm saying lol. The dead pan is part of what I found funny at least. I know he's not everyone's cup of tea but he made me laugh and that's all that matters to me. It's a gift.

[@grawakendream8980]

the kaufman routine is something different, and superior, imo

[@MarkSiosal]

The woman in the crowd looking at the guy cracking up with a "wtf are you finding funny here" look is chef's kiss.

[@Samuel-li9nk]

It's was Andy's mother

[@DjangoFreeman-t9h]

Surprised that Carrey didnt do the same fidgety hand movements as Andy did

[@Soldmysoulforablurayplayer]

Kaufman was a pre internet troll.

[@ascenciopictures]

Can't believe I'm gonna say this but Nicholas Braun did it better in the Saturday Night movie that just came out.

[@janehollander3843]

Agreed. I really believed he was Andy.

[@forgetfulstranger]

Nah he wasn't good either, a bit better than Jim but still not good. It's as if both actors don't get why that bit is funny.

[@brandon9899]

@@forgetfulstranger Huh? Just stop. Not to be negative but Braun absolutely killed it. Honestly, he did it better than Carrey and I love Jim.

[@lordtyrus1]

@@forgetfulstranger I don't blame them. It's not funny

[@MissterX]

Jim Carrey's portrayal of Andy Kaufman was like Latka doing a parody of Andy.

[@zoegiselle]

The Saturday Night movie that just came out had a small version of this and it was great. I need to see more of the guy that played Andy as he was phenomenal

[@donbailey6600]

I remember seeing this as a kid live and waiting for the funny part... having said that. Jim certainly doesnt do Andy justice here.

[@grawakendream8980]

seeing the movie live or andy on snl?

[@jackodriscoll3817]

Love Jim, but this is about as funny as a funeral.

[@farter12]

probably because this isn't a comedy movie and he's an actor

[@ultrathagawd]

You do realize he's just replicating what Andy did right? This is from a movie not a stand up bit.

[@Voiusea]

They're different, it's natural. Love both❤

[@mitusoa6959]

I first saw Andy as Latka on Taxi. It was a while before I learned he didn't really speak that way.

[@grawakendream8980]

me too. actually, when you say that, i remember talking to my mom and she said that wasn't his real voice

[@pettterrr]

Andy tries to present a shy insecure loser who still gives a shot and its superfunny.... Jim presents a guy who's mental. ITS NOT THE SAME!

[@grawakendream8980]

good insight

[@cvekris8177]

So funny, I never laughed so much in my whole life.

[@wendypatton1932]

I totally get this type of performance..I love difficult avant- guard music, art and theater. For example the sounds of the performance group Throbbing Gristle and the surrealist theater works of Antonin Artaud in his Theater of Cruelty. This type of unconventional and uncomfortable art can reset our thoughts.

[@grawakendream8980]

cool, i'll have to check those out

[@PaulWoods-s4p]

Love them both❤

[@grawakendream8980]

lol

[@devo1977s]

Every Saturday morning I would get up early to watch cartoons and mighty mouse was one of them, brings back some memories

[@romanlouche3702]

I saw the original when it aired. Mildly amusing, but the pause intrigued me. If you like pauses on stage, check out Harold Pinter

[@grawakendream8980]

cool, i will

[@jstmarton]

Nicholas Braun did better interpretation in the SNL movie

[@samb8744]

Both weren’t good tbh

[@deankidd1743]

Comic Genius only another Genius could portray him on film. ❤

[@dejanve]

Exactly.

[@jeffsanders663]

I remember watching this SNL episode. I was in my early teens and thought it was hilarious!

[@samb8744]

Jim Carey’s performance is crazy. To be that “committed” and “method” only to result in a mediocre performance that completely misses the mark is bonkers

[@CHOPPA78]

Jim was good but too twitchy and expressed his face more where as Andy was quite still and his face almost motionless

[@grawakendream8980]

kaufman had a level of self control carrey couldn't hope to match, few could

[@justinalbertgrimaldo]

I just finished reading bob’s book about Andy. Absolutely amazing. I wish Carrey’s movie pulled inspiration from it because Bob was such a HUGE part of Andy’s life and the movie just felt like it a bunch of bullet points. Carrey hammed it up too much.

[@adamweger40]

Jim Carry didn’t understand how crazy Kauffman really was for example Jim would walk around set all pissed off at Jerry lawler cause he thought Andy actually hated him when in reality they became good buddies while doing the wrestling stuff

[@gmenezesdea]

Isn't there a scene in the movie where we see it was all staged and they were good buddies?

[@adamweger40]

@@gmenezesdea there’s a infamous story that lawler tells that while they were filming Carey wouldn’t talk to him and once threw a orange juice at him cause he thought they hated each other

[@grawakendream8980]

buddies is pushing it, but they were at least respectful of each other as artists for sure. kaufman revered lawler for letting him participate in the wrestling

[@grawakendream8980]

@@adamweger40 he misunderstood the character completely imo

[@haroldjanser8361]

To Greats. Brave Jim Carey did his interpretation. And did the Job. No one else could do or should have done better.

[@grawakendream8980]

to greats is right. there definitely aren't two here

[@shuacliff_7029]

One thing that made Kaufman so effective is that he plays it so serious and that creates the subversive humor. Carrey is just plays a clown in everything he does. Good for the 3 stooges I guess but Carrey's portrayal made it seem like he didn't really understand the humor beyond basic silliness

[@JustinPiedra-v7y]

Wait so there is another snl movie 🤨🤩

[@morningsidedriverock]

Some don’t understand… it’s not suppose to be funny to us. It’s only for HIS amusement.

[@Ultimatespooderdude3583]

Godbless ❤

[@RPMac]

Good acting lesson...for real, less is more...attention to detail helps....this is why I hate biopics....acting gets in the way.

[@grawakendream8980]

he misinterpreted the material imo

[@YesOkayButWhy]

Biopics are pointless

[@dejanve]

Jim, perfect. Perfectly brought.

[@eddiek8179]

No. Not even close.

[@williamthorstad8848]

Whatever you think of Kaufman, this was genius... saw it on SNL back in the day and was rolling. I was 15 and it was the day I realized its not the joke, its how its delivered. 😂

[@danehlers9989]

Jimmy gets his facial expressions near perfect for thos movie.😅

[@grawakendream8980]

lol

[@peivandryks5217]

Maybe Rowan Atkinson got some inspiration from this performance by Andy Kauffman when in the curch anthem skit. Maybe.

[@rafpac6]

I actually understand Kaufman's comedy. He had an insight of people's behavior which he found comical and then used his intellect to create complex comedy in simple things. Not sure if he understood the inability of other people figuring out his pov though.

[@grawakendream8980]

he said in an interview he wasn't doing it for everyone. he was doing it for the small percentage of people who got it

[@johntedesco9834]

2 people who should of been on snl

[@daytripperhd]

J C is very talented and did his best, but he did not pull off A K. Only a serious character actor could pull it off, and then. maybe.

[@grawakendream8980]

well said!

[@eduardoarancibia169]

Whats the point of this?

[@ellietobe]

Andy was one in a million.

[@thamojster]

but according to jim thats not him, its literally andy inhabiting his body! theres no way classic overactor jim carrey was doing that twitchy over exaggerated face and movement

[@stuartwax1633]

Great movie

[@XennialTV]

I don't get it.

[@berenonehand]

You have to be a nihilistic urban white person to be able to.

[@dshotz97]

Watch Man on the Moon you’ll understand

[@chriskarley384]

Exactly! And nobody "Got" the pet rock but it made the creator a millionaire.

[@berenonehand]

@@chriskarley384 Nihilistic irony is lost on literally everyone else. It's a hint.

[@berenonehand]

@@dshotz97 We understand it's stupid.

[@jazznutz]

Jim isn't doing the hand fidgets

[@grawakendream8980]

he sorta blew on a number of levels imo

[@YesOkayButWhy]

Regardless of back then, the internet allows even more for exposing of glaring inaccuracies

[@daviddelaney363]

Carey missed mark. Kaufman shows wasting time is fun.

[@grawakendream8980]

i love this comment

[@NBM3]

Surprised he did'nt pick up the glass with his left .

[@geicothirtynine]

Jim Carrey's imitation seemed more like he was mocking Andy Kaufman (with his " *exaggerated* swagger " and facial expressions); rather than *honoring* his performance years ago. (In my opinion.✋🏿(which was not asked of me..✋🏿)).

[@spaceghost9440]

Carrey kills this

[@MiguelAngel-f5u5w]

😢

[@thefullsp]

Comedy is subjective I guess

[@Orangetension]

Yeah, this is stupid.

[@sentinelav]

It's worth looking for other examples of Kaufman's work. I'm a big fan of his and Jim Carrey, but not of this movie. There's an incredible Kaufman bit where he comes out on stage to do standup, does terribly, walks off and then comes back crying, only to integrate the rhythm of his crying into a drum beat, revealing that the entire thing, including the initial failed jokes, and getting upset with the audience, were all part of the act. He's one of the greatest experimentalist comedians to ever live, it's worth checking out his other work if you're interested in seeing a phenomenally unique mind essentially living in his own playground.

[@SometimesOriginal]

Tbh I dont think Jim gets the joke

[@grawakendream8980]

yes

[@MattBeattie-p6m]

Andy’s schtick was playing a socially awkward creature. I get that, but I’m surrounded by socially awkward creatures and they annoy the shit out of me.

[@grawakendream8980]

someone like you would have to probably attempt to perform, to get an appreciation for what he does, i would guess

[@MattBeattie-p6m]

@@grawakendream8980 cool man 🤣

[@Dan53196]

It’s nothing like him.

[@sonnyleelove79]

😂😂😂

[@grawakendream8980]

carrey missed a key part of the routine, where he almost mouths it at the wrong time and puts his head down. that's the biggest spot in the routine. good try, but that sort of says something that he didn't pick up on that imo

[@jazznutz]

I get it's quirky but genius? I must be missing something.

[@WrathofArminius]

I’ve been seeing this since I was little. Why or how… I don’t get it either.

[@SarahNGeti]

​​​​That's the point! It's supposed to be absurd and boring. The point is he is playing an awkwardly shy character that has a useless talent but in his mind thinks that it is a real talent and special. ​@@WrathofArminius

[@SarahNGeti]

Not every joke has a punchline. That is the point of it👉 it's a weird character .

[@WrathofArminius]

@@SarahNGeti every joke should be funny. Otherwise it’s just a bad joke.

[@SarahNGeti]

@@WrathofArminius the joke is on you!

[@jabbadac]

He was just ok

[@jankocurny516]

Andy was so not funny.

[@grawakendream8980]

you just don't have a broad enough perspective to get it

[@jankocurny516]

@@grawakendream8980 There was nothing to get. Everyone pretends to enjoy it because they are afraid of opinions about themselves as shallow as yours.

[@grawakendream8980]

@@jankocurny516 your hostility towards it is just a reflection of what you lack in your own imagination imo

[@jankocurny516]

@@grawakendream8980 If you need imagination to laugh at somebodys joke it's just not funny. Your stubborn defense of unfunny jokes shows your snobbery and need of acceptation.

[@grawakendream8980]

@@jankocurny516 yes, the audience does some of the work, that's where curiosity and imagination comes in. kaufman said he was doing it for people who understood what he was doing, not the masses which you're apparently on of. and he performed publicly hundreds of times and many times in television. you sound like comic book guy on the simpsons

[@richardnita8176]

Using a good comedian to portray one of the worst comedians... A waste of everyone's time.

[@grawakendream8980]

you sound like you have a miserable personality tbh

[@samuelstalcup2645]

Andy was great. Jim did his best

[@grawakendream8980]

fair enough

[@ivanrousseau5066]

none could have played andy better than jim ..

[@umey3445]

I guess that means no one could have played a good Andy

[@pettterrr]

He did a horrible job, he made Andy look psychotic

[@mrjamesgrimes]

Jim’s overacting is distracting

[@grawakendream8980]

yes

[@madArt1981]

I don’t see the “Genius” angle. Didn’t enjoy his Persona, his “Comedy” or his I guess U can call it “Sketches”?

[@jimmyrun4eva885]

I assume we're talking about Kaufman? Never bought into it either!

[@mgsalmon79]

Comedy is subjective. One man’s meat is another man’s poison. He wasn’t my cup of tea either, but a lot of people I do find funny seem to have enjoyed his “humour”.

[@Jimmy_carters_ghost]

It's too smart for you

[@Rizzputin-Z]

It's troll humor

[@Ben_Gunner]

Jim over done it when side by side. Andy proved less is more ❤

[@grawakendream8980]

this^

[@robertlaube574]

Neither is funny.

[@michaeljohnson5237]

Just like Seinfeld and curb your enthusiasm.

[@BigToe1000]

Couldn't agree more

[@vincecalvarese6386]

Agreed

[@janpaulvanderhoeven]

It’s not for everyone.

[@grawakendream8980]

it affected you enough to feel compelled to comment on it here.

[@ChazGarland]

As great as jim is he does oversel it.

[@somekindareason]

Eh not a good read of what he did. Bad copy

[@safenders]

Agree

[@grawakendream8980]

yess

[@justincavinder5504]

This was one the few things Jim Carrey actually stunk at. Which sucks cause I’m sure he was a huge fan of Andy. But yeah he did not do it justice. The whole thing was off.

[@NatalieGovorko]

It's an obvious tribute

[@fabbourdage1356]

This movies was so boring...

[@zart]

Weird is good

[@wilibanez3313]

I dont undertand what he tried to accomplish there

[@anthonysmith778]

Jim is great. Never thought kauffman was funny in anybway

[@grawakendream8980]

you're too dumb to understand probably

[@golden-63]

*The vast majority of us who watched Kaufman on SNL in the 70's did NOT find Kaufman funny...at all. The whole "he's a genius" thing started in large part after his early tragic death. He wasn't a genius, he was merely unfunny.*

[@eddiegalon3714]

Thought JC was horrible as Andy.

[@gusmartinez4518]

Jim Carrey

[@MsMartinSvendsen]

I dont understand what is funny about Andy Kaufman. Seen a couple of vids, i just dont get it...

[@davidmathis-xd6nf]

Bizarre humor

[@captainsensiblejr.]

Jim Carrey deserved an Oscar for playing Kaufman, but comedians aren't considered actors.

[@fleadoggreen9062]

Never funny

[@NukinFutz-mf4dm]

Picked up the glass with the wrong hand

[@williamshafer1996]

You have to be really high, i guess. I never found Andy really funny. I guess i was more of a Chevy Chase fan.

[@jackodriscoll3817]

I'm high and can confirm that this is indeed not funny.

[@thegamingrhino5864]

i still dont understand how this is funny. every comment seems to understand every little thing that makes it so funny but i guess im just stupid. probably the least funniest thing ive ever seen from SNL

[@ivanminchenkov7223]

Well... Andy Kaufman is better Andy Kaufman than Jim Carrey

[@valvenator]

One of the dumbest moments on snl and jim managed to make it even less funny.

[@Seren2010kinder]

When sheep are sold a joke as funny but really it’s not.

[@grawakendream8980]

you sound depressed. but something you would not admit

[@TommyKing-m3f]

You’ll never convince me that Andy didn’t do coke

[@showbizhistory]

1970s. comedy circuit. checks out. The only argument AGAINST this was he was a notoriously clean person. Clean eating. Didn't smoke. Even sought out alternative therapy for his cancer. He was big on the 'all natural' lifestyle.

[@grawakendream8980]

because you're stupid

[@robertmoore7789]

I never knew of andy before this movie, i thought he would be hilarious, but that was just jim carrey i guess, because andy kaufman was boring.

[@jonathanjennings1835]

Yeah andy kaufman was a strange one

[@jonathanjennings1835]

he had a wonderful opportunity and just through down the drain

[@grawakendream8980]

if you understood what he was doing, it wouldn't be boring. you don't, so it's not for you

[@grawakendream8980]

@@jonathanjennings1835 lol

[@BeatlesFan1975]

Carrey > Kaufmann

[@johnmannix8237]

Not funny....like modern art is not really art...but we all have to agree it is like we were to.

[@grawakendream8980]

you don't understand what art is then

[@Byrdznyst]

Remember Seeing This & Thinking WTF *

[@AIGCS5803]

Jim played it brilliantly in the movie.

[@Jerry-v6e1m]

Once again proof Jim sucks and trying to hard and going overboard

[@jackodriscoll3817]

You can only work with what you are given,and let's be honest, hes not given alot seeing as Andy Is the opposite of funny.

[@salamander554]

Looks like Jim's overacting

[@Swedishchef99]

Too exaggerated.

[@jaymtl79]

Andy Kauffmanwas NOT funny .

[@grawakendream8980]

he's not doing it for you. he's doing it about people like you. your trigger response is part of the performance

[@BeatlesFan1975]

Andy kaufman is the most overrated comedian of all time. He literally is only famous because he died 😮

[@sg-vp2qg]

I found him hilarious when he was alive.

[@nik1547]

Overacting by carrey

[@Don0311]

Andy Kaufman wasn’t a comedian , he was a joke.

[@grawakendream8980]

you're definitely voting for trump

[@Don0311]

@@grawakendream8980 Nope. Thats the dumbest response I’ve ever heard. I’m concerned about your intelligence level.