Richard Jeni-Jaws (1988 Tonight Show Debut)

[@steveguitarist57]

Many great things about Jeni. Amoung them; No gratuitous profanity. No asinine political opinion insertions as with many comedic dolts today.

[@xandercrews2854]

he's good at finding loopholes. like that kiss your ass goodbye airplane joke.

[@1970borntorun]

Or immature and lame screaming and dumb comments like the HUGELY overrated Sam Kinison and Andrew Dice Clay.

[@LuisEduardo-sh2nu]

I didnt even know he killed himself. I saw one of his old sets back in the 90s and I saw the Mask, I always thought to myself; What happened to this comic ?

[@joycer732]

Actually Jeni did a very funny bit about the differences between Democrats and Republicans. He made fun of everyone, so it was funny.

[@ryandalbey77]

@@joycer732 "If you're on the far left or far right, you know what you've done now? You've gone too far." Hilarious bit!

[@jasondownsnet]

When I was a kid, I was a huge Richard Jeni fan. When I was around 11/12, Richard Jeni came to my small town of a Monterey, CA to perform at our tiny convention center. Of course my mother brought me. The whole family went. Richard did this Jaws bit. Then Richard saw me at his show and he stopped the whole show to ask me what I was doing there. Then he riffed a whole five minute bit about me being at his show. He made a whole bit out of the name of the school I was attending. It was great. All these later, I will remover that night and how great it was to my little 11 year old self.

[@kennethfisher7861]

That's really awesome. No one like him.

[@kabukiarmadillo]

I have never seen Jaws IV, but now I have to see it.

[@Alzrad]

THAT’s a professional comedian! Cheers to you Richard Jeni 🍻

[@flagal519]

My God, this guy was brilliant ! His looks, voice, style, and the material was priceless !..... obviously a comic genius. Joe Rogan was talking about him, the other night and I had to check it out. RIP, Richard.

[@miketalley7021]

Can't believe he has been gone since 2007. He was so funny.

[@JustinLodes]

Wow I didn’t even know he was dead. And by suicide no less. Sad. He was very unique. I think comedians are more sentient in a lot of ways than average people and it makes them question their reality more. I could be wrong but just seems that way to me

[@DestineMarie]

I miss him. He was truly great.

[@Threedog1963]

He died? I didn't even know he was sick.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

@@Threedog1963 Same thing happened to me with Hitler.

[@drstrange1503]

Yea, I miss his Comedy too! He was so Funny! RIP RICH! 😥😥😥

[@StephenWillcock]

"Start the boat, I'll get a burger at the dock." Poetry.

[@chalklounge]

Jesus. He absolutely killed this crowd.

[@deannaturnbaugh9549]

I had the best time back in the day meeting and talking with richard real funny guy

[@michaelfishman8784]

@Freedom's Speculum what an interesting way to say damn gurl u were a babe

[@reneekerner8404]

So sad about him.

[@stephaniebenjamin4883]

So cool! I would have loved to have met him! We had his HBO special recorded onto VHS and the second one on dvd. We’ve watched them both dozens of times.

[@CountlessPWNZ]

absolute baddie

[@RumbleFish69]

I remember watching this when it first aired. I remember laughing so hard! Man, I really miss man and his comedy. Today, there is no doubt that this man would still be a comedic giant.

[@davidh7126]

This just makes me want to watch it

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

Amazing comic, and so underrated. In a workplace where sooo many comedians mail it in and do the same material for years, Jeni had the talent and balls to pump out hours upon hours of material and keep it fresh. Thats not only someone who strives to be their best at what he does, but its also a guy that doesnt take his audience for granted. I dont know why he left, but hes one of the best of all time, and is respected by every comic ive ever heard talk about him. I wish he felt that about himself more. And thanks for uploading.

[@tonymp]

There certainly seems to be a relation between "comedic genius" and severe depression. We've seen it time and time again with greats like Jeni, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Woody Allen and more

[@3dprinterjam263]

This guy was one of the three or four greatest comics I've ever seen (that includes Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, and George Carlin, the three I can think of offhand who were consistently on his level or better). He had it all: great looks, whip-smart, awesome with voices, bust-your-stitches funny, and married to a woman he loved--what I read later was that it was because HMO didn't grant him his own show. So sad. His death was a huge loss to the world.

[@autocrow]

He was hilarious!! He seemed nervous at first, then had everyone roaring in laughter and that got him going.

[@darrencarter]

Fantastic set. Way to do Richard! Miss seeing you around...

[@timearl7186]

Here after Joe Rogan.

[@wetfart1387able]

Tim Earl what did he say about him?

[@YoWhoDat]

@@wetfart1387able he said when he started doing comedy he caught himself "doing jeni" I'm not sure but I think he meant he was trying too hard to be like him.

[@pedrodutra4088]

why

[@i12roksaggio41]

yep....here after Joe Rogan with Saget

[@Sun.powder]

Yeah just watched him talking to mark Normand.

[@marinegrunt6633]

when I watch one of these, I can't stop laughing, he was the funniest of all time.

[@Dylan-pd9ps]

all time?

[@heavnnnsent]

Yes. My favorite comedian of all time that's Richard.

[@GrayNeko]

RIP, Richard Jeni! You will never be forgotten!

[@markshilobrit9756]

Brilliant Comic! i'm sorry that he didn't think more of himself to share his gifts with the world.

[@michaelsix9684]

brilliant comic, missed so much, wish he was still around

[@jamalselesi182]

R.I.P. Johnny Carson and Richard Jeni

[@jasLBJ23]

This honestly aged well, unlike a lot of older comedy this is still funny. Such a shame, comedy genius RIP

[@johnpeasant7859]

I remember going to a Sybase user group conference in Emeryville, CA (just across the Bay from San Francisco) around 1991 and I remember them announcing 'Richard Jeni' as the post-dinner entertainment and I thought they were joking - and out he comes walking among the tables, telling jokes for about 45 minutes and me laughing so hard I could hardly breathe

[@mjrydsfast]

I lived in Emeryville, 2002-2003. I remember that Sybase building in years past. That was a great location and had tons of potential. I lived in those Emery Bay Apartments on Shellmound right across from the confluence of all those railroad tracks. I saw Richard right before he took his life. He performed at the Improv, Tempe Arizona. He seemed.... ...miffed. I think tiring caught up with him, John Pinette, Mitch Hedberg and others.

[@heavnnnsent]

He was the most amazing comedian I ever saw in person or on TV. I always play his videos and his spirit will always live on and he's definitely making everyone laugh in heaven

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

A great man and comedian. I wish he had not been so troubled and stayed with us much longer than he did.

[@petetheneighbor8132]

Thanks Louis. I remember this.

[@LaZanyarr]

Dave attell brought my millenial mug here

[@SirHatchporch]

Wow, thank you so much for uploading this, and in such high quality! This was the first time I saw Richard, back when it first aired, and I was a lifelong fan after that. I had an audio recording on cassette but I haven't actually seen this segment since it aired and have been looking for it ever since. I got to meet Richard after a gig about a year before he died and got to tell him I'd been a fan since his first Carson appearance. He is so missed.

[@heavnnnsent]

He was the best

[@debbieburns3848]

I has the cassette too but was able to download if off Napster back in the day

[@kennethfisher7861]

There was an actual recording called Richard Jeni's greatest bits. I can see it's been searched for on here but can't find the actual recording. Love watching the show's over and over. Very witty and sarcastic as well

[@cthulufunk]

One of the greats, a comic’s comic, his suicide was such a loss to the world.

[@hansjuker8296]

I mean....he was funny but it wasn't really that big of a loss in the scheme of things.

[@hadassah179]

this was so good. the face slapping takes me back to the joke Robin Williams made on Broadway about the fake stomach vibrating tool that's supposed to help you "loose weight" and to strap that to your head and say "I WILL NOT BUY STUPID CRAP FOR NO REASON" ! lol

[@gretagarbolini8721]

That was really funny. I wish he was still with us but I am grateful he is still making us laugh. RIP.

[@EclecticCleric]

He was the first comedian I recall seeing live. I took my parents (or made them take me).

[@paulogaviola5522]

What a strong debut man

[@NxDoyle]

Really assured, smooth and quite brave, to do a run as opposed to a few killer bits. But he nailed it.

[@aisforapple2494]

🎶"It's OK to eat fish 'cause they don't have any feelings"🎶 - Kurt Cobain

[@comedy_moments]

Now I have to see that movie

[@nunyabizness6376]

Richard jenni wrote for chris rock until he died. Let that sink in...

[@michaelmythology]

"Oh, Jeni. Jeni. Oh, Yeah, Jeni, don't stop. Oh, Richard Jeni, your H.B.O. comedy specials have brought pleasure to millions. And what a sweet ass." - Peter Griffin

[@pulancheck]

Acceptable (also here from J.Rogan)

[@jbramblett]

Richard Jeni was hilarious... I loved his HBO specials... He was taken way too soon

[@capricornk9033]

Oh, man. Richard Jeni was a genuinely funny person. RIP

[@Goodniteruben]

wow! almost perfect.

[@damnyankeefl]

back in the day i used to travel home by car every year. 20 hour drive. and I 'd grab comedy cassette tapes to kill the time . picked up richard's 'greatest bits' and busted a gut for an hour. saw him twice live after that. he really was great.

[@pts5217]

Jeni was great. Pure comic.

[@steveretiredandcranky]

If you can drive there in 9 hours or less, you will be faster than the airlines. The fish wins.

[@jackievegas6987]

Cut off before you could see guest Richard Pryor and Johnny lauding Rich Jeni for an incredible first spot!

[@renejustice886]

I saw some of his stand up. I don’t mind a little foul language…..I love his easy-style New York-attitude. He makes it so effortless. Richard, Bill Engvall, Tim Hawkins and Jim Breuer are all awesome comedians 😎

[@oscarmike9589]

Miss you Richard. RIP

[@drumsport]

Iconic! RIP.

[@williamknell864]

He has some nerve, doing this set wearing a shark skin suit!!!

[@steveguitarist57]

Irony. ALWAYS funny.

[@uncomfortablecat]

This is so good

[@aw4724]

All the best comedians die too young. Richard Jeni, Greg Giraldo, Mitch Hedberg.... it physically hurts me.

[@Mr_Snowclouds]

R.I.P. 🥀🥀🥀 Richard Jeni

[@aisforapple2494]

*knock knock* "Who is it?" "Land Shark."

[@TheNecessaryEvil]

And here we are, 35 years later with movies like “Santa Jaws” being released. Seriously, the level of horrid shark horror movies now available and in production is staggering.

[@steveguitarist57]

Let's not forget who gave license to produce classic greats like "sharknados" 1,2,3,4,5 and 'finally' 6. Sharks on land. Jeni; Funny AND prophetic!

[@John-ct9cn]

RIP Great comedian .

[@johnnyt.sollitto512]

R.I.P. RICH - We all could've used you around a lot longer

[@johnstriker480]

Why hadn't the nostalgia critic mention this in his Jaws 4 review??

[@ralexander9495]

RIP legend

[@steveguitarist57]

A few have asked whether Johnny Carson called Richard over to the desk. I own the Carson DVD set. I don't remember. But now that my interest has been piqued I will check and post it he did.

[@FutureAbe]

I lose it every time he starts slapping his face

[@NotableSavage]

So many of these commenters didn’t grow up in the 80s when Jaws IV was on endless playback on HBO.

[@JimBrosephx7x5]

Here after Opie and Anthony

[@michaelsix9684]

love his suit

[@euripidesmuse]

Jeni, oh, Jeni, don't stop.

[@kmacadaeg7]

Here after an old O&A video lol

[@peopleunite3605]

Brilliant. Sorry, we lost him so soon. Some kind of trauma no doubt from childhood.

[@michaelsix9684]

he was having severe depression, burned out doing the road for twenty yrs, -- so sad

[@elmo_eman2867]

@@michaelsix9684 He was stressed out about his Career ?

[@michaelsix9684]

@@elmo_eman2867 he developed mental health issues in his final years, he wanted to quit touring and TV work and it didn't happen

[@elmo_eman2867]

@@michaelsix9684 so it was his work ?

[@michaelsix9684]

@@elmo_eman2867 two things happened - he had a show on Fox, lasted 6 episodes and ended, his touring was tiring 40 weeks a yr., did that for 20 plus yrs. then mental health issues began -- finally he took his life, very sad

[@kenvelickoff4275]

Just a great comedian

[@buckwild-k9g]

Maybe the shark at Amity phoned a shark at the Bahamas and informed him that the Brody family was there, with this movie I wouldn't be a bit surprised if that's actually what happened.

[@Right_Said_Brett]

* sheepishly raises hand * I actually... well, kinda... sorta... like Jaws: The Revenge. It is a stupid, stupid premise for a movie though and this stand-up is every bit as on-point as it is hilarious.

[@warbound91]

I wish comedy went back to this its so quick and doesn't drag on like most comedians style now. It's straight to the point and funny

[@jerrytaliercio9087]

Funny as heck….I really liked Rich…RIP

[@debbieburns3848]

Most comedian appearances ever on the tonight show

[@steveyoung9664]

Dreesen

[@omarcantu6915]

When doves cry...

[@thewilliam8342]

Genius !

[@GizmoRob176]

Jeni nailed it.

[@michaelchristopher8541]

Jaws The Revenge is hilarious though. Listen, if you're going to make not only a sequel, but a third sequel to a great movie like Jaws... what else can you do, but make it ridiculously stupid? Jaws 2 is okay, Jaws 3 is bad and pretty boring... Jaws 4 is hysterically funny.

[@ginacantabene8629]

I wonder if Carson called him over. I hope so, that was a brilliant set.

[@Bertorama]

I vaguely remember this guy.

[@hulkjelly6876]

He was in "The Mask" with Jim Carry.

[@ChurchOfVenus]

this makes me want to watch Jaws 4

[@reneekerner8404]

Charlie Burns really really bad movie

[@steveguitarist57]

Does anyone have a link to Richard Jeni's bit on The Edmund Fitzgerald song? I've searched a long time wanting to see it again. It's been 40+ years. I can barely remember it except that it was typical Jeni genius. Just a curious note that may be considered synchronous, coincident or just weird. Yesterday, May 1st, was the celebration of Great Lakes Day. Yesterday, May 1st, Gordon Lightfoot, the author of "The Wake Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" passed.

[@ScottThrill]

it's from the Boy from NYC standup special if you can find it.

[@debbieburns3848]

Richard jeni has a website still run by the family that has all his specials on DVD

[@kennethfisher7861]

Thanks for the info.

[@kennethfisher7861]

I see that Boy From New York City is a comedy special listed on IMDB. Perhaps not on YT bit could be on a streaming channel

[@daneshj4013]

Here after Dave Attell.

[@TheLepke2011]

Richard Jeni. I loved this guy. He was my favorite comedian. I had tickets to a show of his when he died in 2007. You wouldn't believe the hassle the venue gave me about getting the money back. $75 a piece for 2 tickets and they tried to pull some BS about how they have a clause regarding cancelation.

[@highheadjester]

I so miss you Jeni.. But you wouldn't miss this shit show.. They even came out with MULTIPLE "Sharknado" movies..

[@great567]

Who else is because Louis Ck recommended this bit?

[@ArthurTwoshedsJackson]

Six minutes and 15 seconds I'll never get back. Hopefully, his later material improved. I didn't even smirk at anything he said.

[@petetheneighbor8132]

Saw Jaws 3 with my Dad at 10 and realized how bad it was.

[@JeffreyGillespie]

Imagine going on Carson and killing like this. It’s a total career maker.

[@mrbigglesworth_Official]

Here before Joe Rogan

[@SSS.1984]

Platypus Man ❤

[@TheLadsBandLive]

Did the band cut the set short? Seemed like an odd spot to end it.

[@eadams1057]

Was this one of his final performances? I never knew of his death but probably wondered on and off why I wasnt seeing him. So tragic. This was a brilliant routine. I remember seeing it when it first aired.

[@GhastlyCretin]

This is almost 20 years before he died.

[@jsauce22]

Here after Rogan and Louie

[@MoltenPlastic]

Famous thanks to Carson, famous again thanks to Rogan

[@slowdevil]

Did Johnny call him over? Had to have, right?

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Did Johnny invite him to the couch after his stand up?

[@steveguitarist57]

No he didn't. I have the DVD.

[@KeepOnTruckingPodcast]

I think he went over his time because the band started playing while he was still talking

[@NoName-qv8ko]

Ever seen a comedian thar's so ordinary they slap you in the face with how ordinary they are Richard Jeni is that comedian.

[@benjohnson5552]

What does he say in Spanish ?

[@OntarioAndrews415]

LOL, I've been a fan of his for a long time (too bad he killed himself). This act was hilarious.

[@OnePieceWonPeace]

Here after Joe Rogan & Louis CK.

[@noahrodrigueziii143]

Rogan brought me here

[@marshallheadchief8744]

Murdered it