Jerry Seinfeld and Steve Martin on What Makes a Good Comedian | The New Yorker Festival

The legendary standup comedians, Jerry Seinfeld and Steve Martin, talk about what’s needed for success in comedy.
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Jerry Seinfeld and Steve Martin on What Makes a Good Comedian | The New Yorker Festival

[@shakespearouac]

a good moderator is a great pleasure but an uncommon experience. i found this woman exceptional.

[@lgerback34]

I agree. She did a tremendous job with two talented comedians infamous for being tough interviewees.

[@cadenrolland5250]

It seems a lot was edited out for a shorter time.

[@AntoinetteSarpong]

Totally agree! Props to her. She is clearly well researched. You can see Steve and Jerry are truly engaged in the conversation and the questions flow, without being forced. Jerry and Steve are not easy interview subjects. They've heard every single question that can be asked about comedy, so the mod did a great job.

[@Xxxxxrrr6464]

Would like the full edit

[@CDNChaoZ]

This has been edited down so much that it has lost coherence. Please post the full conversation.

[@boppob1343]

Its not that bad, I enjoyed this a lot myself

[@heughhove3138]

I just want a solid 45 minutes of these two talking

[@sm-oh8ef]

Exactly

[@gafanhotoking]

totally agree.I get that they might have technical difficulties, but this is insufferable

[@100canadianmaplestirup8]

my thoughts exactly

[@Total.Autonomy]

I have seen many comedians, big and small. I saw George Carlin twice, who was fantastic, but the ultimate was Steve Martin, whom I saw in 1976 for $4.00 in Dubuque, IA. I laughed so hard that my abdominal muscles hurt. I wanted him to go away, simply because I needed to give them a rest. He walked off stage and I breathed a sigh of relief, he came back out to thank each and every one of us, which he did, pointing to everyone in the audience. Even today, the thought of it makes me laugh. Thanks Steve.

[@joe-vz6hx]

what a gem, to hear two of the all-timers talk simply and directly about the "craft." I could listen to these two talk for hours. thanks for this.

[@corinnewinterrousset]

Yes! I agree with Steve Martin. Jerry’s cadence or the rhythm of his jokes are like Haiku candy, sweet and with a pattern. It’s his unique skill.

[@Kain5th]

just wanna put it out there that Steve Martin is 75 years old.... just wowww

[@Historian212]

I love that Jerry has the album of "An Evening With Groucho" on a shelf in the background. We had that album when I was a kid. No one like Groucho. And Alan Sherman's "My Son the Nut." Classic.

[@mikewhite4560]

My 1st ALBUM: Let's Get Small. Thank you Steve for saving my 70s...

[@zapkvr]

To be fair Groucho had very good writers. And I loved the guy. You know he always said he wanted to be remembered as a writer. It's a great shame he was a terribly unhappy man.

[@mullarky]

The irony of talking about how important rhythm and cadence is in comedy.. AND THEN ALTERING THE VIDEO'S RHYTHM WITH COPIOUS EDITS. comedy is like music, you can't just take out 20 seconds here, 5 seconds there. people listen to comedy because it is real and pure. not filtered. upload the unedited version.

[@bohall]

Thats right

[@ronbe169]

Thank you Bill. Absolutely right

[@zapkvr]

The irony of using the word irony when you don't know what it means. Oh wait, your probably american. Not ironic at all.

[@raymond06]

@@zapkvr You mean, "Oh wait, you're probably American."

[@dorseytv]

It’s really awkwardly edited.

[@Kruppt808]

Love Jerry Seinfeld, I watch Comedians in Cars whenever i need to cheer up :) Steve Martin 80s and 90s movies including BowFinger were great as well

[@carolargentina]

Thanks ! That was a great reunion : Jerry, Steve and this wonderful woman who remembers everything ! Just great :)

[@jeffreyhope8651]

Two of my absolute favorite people to listen to, thanks so VERY much for this interview. Joyous.

[@blackbird5634]

Jerry once said that one reason he got into comedy was because he had seen other comics get on stage and tell jokes and then come off and talk together about comedy, about jokes and he KNEW he wanted to be 'one of those guys, over there.' And this simple desire, has been a large part of my inspiration as well.

[@comedybytescast]

Jerry said he would have done standup even if he had to live "hand to mouth".

[@drewshippy5051]

Tremendous respect for the artistry of these two legends.

[@romanhed]

Those Roland V-drums in the background though.

[@daflotsam]

Ha…saw that,too. Thinking either there’s a kid in the house, or it’s how she blows off steam.

[@michaelrafales2782]

I love Steve's description of Jerry's comedy. So well stated

[@andergrindstudios7546]

Jokes are poetry that explodes.. -Steve Anderson

[@petrinasmith6853]

wonderful interview! I love hearing comedians talk about their craft, it's always fascinating to me.

[@MsBertha38]

A serious discussion of comedy. Interesting.

[@dianabahena114]

My two favorite comedians!

[@petergiaschi6697]

Two legends.. Necessary Legends...

[@ravi.shah.]

As someone who uses “I have a quick question..” very often - this is professional epiphany. LOL

[@twilde3754]

Saw Steve Martin years and years and years ago at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Thought he was great!

[@roseannes2967]

Years and years and years and years and years and years and years?

[@twilde3754]

@@roseannes2967 and years :)

[@markworth7167]

Over-edited. Let these geniuses talk.

[@italiancapo7]

Steve Martin never ages. He looks the same he did in the 70s, grey hair and all!

[@Maxid1]

He is one of Jim Hensons greatest creations.

[@collybeans586]

I like Jerry Seinfeld but I freakin love Steve Martin!!!! Funny a f

[@susanschroeder3512]

Thank you so much!~ This is great! Wonderful human beings here too!

[@bennettlitwin1671]

Fantastic interview and guests. Thank you. :)

[@pronemanoldbutyoung5548]

Love these two, made my day

[@crusader7991]

Hard to believe Steve Martin is 75.

[@T.E.P..]

This is perfect .... superb ... The New Yorker does this best

[@pacificbase]

Always nice to see these wonderful people. More comedians in cars please.

[@elbosterix]

The best moderator, paired with the worst editing, what a shame.

[@ThomasBrownART]

Must agree... totally lost the potential of getting to know these (great) guys....

[@susanschroeder3512]

stfu asswipe

[@Otherfolker]

Why on earth wouldn't you not post the long form for this New Yorker. I'm completely baffled by this decision 🤣

[@howardkoor2796]

Great Interview

[@kevinogracia1615]

All comedians understand one thing... Dying on the stage makes us stronger. Peace on earth.

[@robbiecasablanco2562]

As a professional editor, it’s so embarrassing to see the chaos of how this is cut. It’s also incredibly disrespectful too two men , where pace, timing and rhythm is everything... “ why pay a professional to cut it when I can save a few bucks and do it myself “ insulting!

[@taydrabrookshire347]

Whoever saw the whole unedited conversation in its entirety is so lucky.

[@robbiecasablanco2562]

@@taydrabrookshire347 it’s really heart breaking when excellent content is butchered ... I’m all for editing but this is a mess

[@susanschroeder3512]

Cry me a river you loser..........

[@calvinnigh5489]

I completely see this and am subsequently bummed

[@JazGalaxy]

Seinfeld looks exactly like Matt Laur in this.

[@dontbehavewithstevemarshal7352]

Wonderful

[@petewangen-groovedrummer8083]

Nice interview, cool drum kit.

[@josephkelley8641]

Steve makes an unbelievable point re: the standup of Jerry Seinfeld. at 6:00 - myself I can't do it justice - so it's at 6:00 (and before). It speaks to Jerry making words dance, change shape - I'm often just in awe of any Jerry performance. Jerry brings you to the end of the world and back - it's a privilege being able to watch/hear Jerry.

[@josephkelley8641]

of course Steve too (whose Master Class I wanna take). .

[@josephkelley8641]

it's the difference between Jim Carrey and Jay Leno - i.e. the diff between Steve and Jerry. Different crafts almost - unique roads both Jim and Steve chose to take. Johny once said that Jim had no chance of going forward (allegedly). That Jim wasn't ABOUT true stand-up. Then Jim got white-hot - was back on The Tonight Show - but this time Jim's ruling-the-comedy-world.

[@josephkelley8641]

Steve the quintessential "Movie/television comedian." -who also plays Banjo and Blue Grass - cuz climbing ONE mountain? Does not MEAN you can't climb a second (mountain). Steve goes up 20,000 feet mountains with no oxygen, that's how brave Steve Martin is. .

[@MikeLenczewski]

I want this woman to be my mom

[@markostendorf1122]

Nice preparation for the interview.... I noticed

[@anthonysilva5312]

Jerry: interesting to hear you discuss your return to comedy. I actually saw you in Montreal Bell centre one night and Orny Adams the next night (200 people max.) You both were so funny. I even brought my “Comedian” DVD hoping to get it signed !

[@oceanic16]

the secret to good comedy is having a sense of humor.

[@TheWesternunionman]

Boom,

[@royrowland5763]

There are a LOT of people who have a sense of humor but just aren't funny no matter how hard they try. It's one thing to appreciate a joke; another thing to tell one.

[@bboooobbyy]

Post it unedited!!

[@trenis]

the moderator was exceptional!

[@tidalkingv]

We want the real conversation, true clash of two smart minds.

[@rnelton71]

A quick question is one that doesn't anticipate a long answer.

[@ytugtbk]

No, it's a short question. Few words. Sneak it in.

[@fishhookism]

To me Martin Short is the greatest comedian ever.

[@markjones7423]

He's the least funny comedian I know. My dead cat is funnier that Martin Short, and he cleans up after himself!

[@fishhookism]

@@markjones7423 Your dead cat must have been hysterical if he was funnier than Martin Short.

[@markjones7423]

@@fishhookism Not at all.

[@ihatespam2]

Is that you Marty?

[@mikewhite4560]

Great Interview 👍 2 of my COMEDY HERO LEGENDS.. Where's Letterman?

[@SoWhat.BigDeal.]

Love these guys. They are both brilliant. HOWEVER: Hey Jerry (bona fide car gu y) Sure, it's not a Porsche, but that Mustang has a 289 , not a 298! Very jarring, for those of us of your certain age! 😄 Many thanks to both these guys for adding so much to our lives. ❤🏎

[@lindysmith13]

art is hard

[@ohmyblindman]

a lot like life....

[@TheSmurfboard]

If I had Art’s wife I would be too.

[@Gtrdxvgyfvbhhfc]

Steve’s voice is classic, I guess you just get to a point where everything you say sounds good.

[@mikemasiello5965]

Jerry Seinfeld is a surgeon of comedy

[@larmoran4885]

Steve Martin hasn't performed stand up in decades and is still one of the best

[@zapkvr]

You really need to get out more

[@ianselman5033]

Interesting Mr. Brown.

[@patyeaman]

A great inteviewer! Editing is too intrusive though.

[@rebekahcuriel-alessi2239]

Thank you, this is delicious...

[@mikcall54]

Seinfeld has the most genius gift of writing a joke but Chris Rock has the most genius gift of delivering a joke.

[@brianm9085]

Steve & Jerry are far better people than I am, not just comedically. Sounded like a rough interview. Could be the editing for KZbin or more likely the actual interview itself.

[@alextakacs768]

These two are so right about swearings and other Comedians who do nothing else but swearing, each sentence starts and ends with an F word. I hate it!! Jerry Seinfeld is the Master of Comedy with good taste and Steve Martin is close second plus Billy Crystal and a few others.

[@dannyburleigh1]

like I say to fellow Comics.= "It's best to start out with at least 4 real winner jokes!" If they can pull that off great then the Audience most likely will never boo /shoot you down.

[@dannyburleigh1]

Me!= I just tell the Audience the scene and then I get right to the back and forth joke! Like he says to her and then she says to him or vise versa or 2 guys or 3 Ladies or whomever! The crazier the situation is the better. Often it's me making my female voice that gets people laughing good. But once they hear each joke and add them up they know that I'm a very gifted comedy Writer and then Comedian.

[@rmartin7558]

Hey lady, Alex Van Halen wants his Van Hagar era drum kit back!

[@mehakverma7043]

When he said you need to have somewhat of an irritable view to make fun of something, it all clicked for me! I have a funny friend, and he is the only person that can make me laugh till I cry. And I finally realized how. He becomes irritated at something random, he spreads hate to it and criticizes it, sometimes even sarcastically. Like one day he called me and told me “you know what I absolutely hate? LITTLE CAESARS. I hate how you can get a whole pizza for just 5 dollars fresh out of the oven. And why? So we can submit to this little man who looks nothing like julius ceasar!” And he says it so frantically as if it is a matter of great importance. Thats a funny joke! The absurdness mixed with the irritation is just perfect

[@nikolazunic6482]

...telling the truth

[@XX-we6vg]

Jerry... Hmmm the ease and TM : )

[@at-last]

5:06

[@TheMotiveDJ]

The heavy editing of this interview kills any flow.

[@vilmaimperial4807]

I agreed to steve martin i wont judge sienfeld is observational comedian. As i seen few his jokes on his episode. Its more like about how life we live and how we lernt and not changed and don't learn at all

[@steve7015]

Steve looks better than he did 30yrs ago...healthy

[@paulmetesh7981]

It's so easy for the greats cause they all have that natural sense of humor & family / friends / TV / politics to feed of of. It's start a when your young making fun of uncle fred & his prostate, 400lb friend, LIFE IS Funny if you have a good sense of humor are in good health & money.

[@zapkvr]

I agree. I do like to laugh. Expressing gratitude is important too

[@swjackson917]

A good comedian is a good story teller. Bill Burr is the best out there right now.

[@JoeZaarour]

Jerry kind of does that (as if you're sitting in a comfortable easy chair) to you!

[@nicholasjanke3476]

Both very funny with both very different comedy. 1. Steve Martin: HE himself is the joke on stage. He jumps around all zany and tells vulgar funny stories. 2. Jerry Seinfeld: With Seinfeld the audience laughs at his material. Unlike Martin Seinfeld doesn't get dirty or vulgar.

[@EF-fc4du]

Seinfeld says funny things. Steve did funny things.

[@TM-ss1ly]

The Editing of this video gets on my nerves. It cuts of jokes and laughs. It has no rhythm

YEAH!

[@xp50player]

Get yourself some new V-Drums. Those TD-10s are ancient.🤓

[@skellvarnsen23]

rad x2

[@magistrumartium]

Who's the interviewer?

[@stephanleo]

Are they messing with the interviewer ? ;)))

[@bohall]

Right Seinfeld

[@randoshus3762]

How would they know?

[@nickmorton2354]

F..Y. I the other comedian she referencing about Jerry and chris rock seeing was Bill Cosby

[@simplenough]

Jerry should’ve had Wonderfulness or Revenge on the shelf

[@nickmorton2354]

@@simplenough great reference! I was really interested what both of them had on them.

[@kewltony]

I saw this right as it came up in the video.

[@AsteriscoPixel]

No, she's talking about Jerry's book, he said that he went to see Chris Rock...and other comic she's referring to is Mario Joyner. This is in the book.

[@nickmorton2354]

@@AsteriscoPixel you’re not actually wrong, I haven’t read the book but it’s in Jerry’s documentary Comedian . Jerry goes to watch Mario Joyner, Chris rock and the documentary ends with him watching Bill Cosby.

[@GreenEnvy.]

Steve looks like he's tired of being the funniest person in the room.

[@zapkvr]

You know he's the only person in the room right?

[@howardkoor2796]

And I became an accountant

[@DomRivers67]

Two men that have never made me so much as smile, one, a 70's style goof, the other an 80's style smartass.

[@Certified_Man]

Cheer up mate

[@davidgreenberg4761]

And yet here you are

[@justgivemethetruth]

Who is the lady?

[@briantlougan810]

Both of these guys have evolved noticeably more appealing stage personas and humor with age. When they were younger I didn't think either one was particularly funny. But now even their interviews have me laughing out loud.

[@mikewhite4560]

DISAGREE, they always we're...Hard Workers, so says a Dude who has dabbled in the CRAFT...

[@joannabrinkley8266]

I thought I was being interesting/making the observation that His Book’s format had comedic beats...Iambic pentameter...and for the dear readers-you could write in the margins! I dig your Book!

[@nononouh]

5 8 10

[@vl8962]

How do you make 13 minutes of two of the funniest comedians, not funny? Thx New Yorker

[@patrickcarpenter4524]

all this talk about beat and cadence and rhythm... and she never gets on the drum set??

[@natevm7888]

Such a shame Jerry didn't get paid for his comedy.

[@brianwestervelt4919]

crappy editiing.. wtf. ikts the internet post the whole thing. we have a new thing now called broadband.. we can watch more than 15 minutes

[@thepsychedelicantiquarian1273]

Why do Americans always say “yellow legal pad” in any story that involves them having to write something down? Are yellow legal pads the only thing available to write on in the US? Why is the colour of the paper relevant to a story? (Asking for a friend) 😂

[@josh_yep.]

9:21.."Chris Rock and another comic."...Who's the other comic? Artie Lang? (Nope, probably not. So Norm is out too.) Patrice or Mullaney? (No. That timing seems off) Oh, maybe he saw Bill C#@!y (comment edited buy KZbin)

[@AsteriscoPixel]

No, she's referring to Mario Joyner. She's talking about Jerry's book, and this is in there.

[@steveuible5915]

These two men are hilarious. This interview was boring.

[@umair111]

Making comedy can be tedious, it's when you get on stage that it comes alive

[@boppob1343]

Disagree

[@us-Bahn]

This interview is like a song played backward that sounds jerky and angular.

[@amimakingsense2165]

The only thing loose and lumpy on my yellow legal pad came out of my dogs bum.

[@Maxid1]

Come on! cutting Steves' hair had to be a little funny. At least when she had to trim the sides around the arrow.