“The cameras and the stage, two things: they give purpose to the words, and audiences—like cameras—can always see the truth. Your existence is a lie until you state the truth. The camera is magical. It’s a miracle to me.”
-Jerrod Carmichael, episode 368 of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
In just under a decade, Jerrod Carmichael has had a remarkably varied career. On the heels of his latest HBO special, we return to our conversation with Emmy-winning comedian.
At the top, we unpack the origin of his deeply personal series Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show (6:30), his early days making his NBC sitcom (10:57), and why he decided to broadcast a deeply intimate conversation on the reality show (13:00). Then, he unpacks his view of the camera as a vessel for honesty (17:10), the response from audiences witnessing Jerrod ‘Truman Show’ himself (21:30), and his three-decade history of storytelling (34:15).
On the back-half, Carmichael describes the artists who inspired his work (43:00), a formative performance in his first HBO special Love at the Store (50:50), and the evolution of his comedy (57:37). To close, he reflects on the central truth he explores in this new series (59:30) and how he hopes this art will at long last set himself—and his family—free (1:08:30).
Thoughts or future guest ideas? Email us at mail@talkeasypod.com. This talk was recorded at Spotify Studios in Los Angeles.
Watch this conversation on YouTube:
Show-notes:
- Watch Jerrod Carmichael’s new HBO special Don’t Be Gay.
- Stream Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show.
- See Jerrod’s previous work and specials: Rothaniel, Sermon on the Mount, Home Videos, 8, and Jerrod Carmichael: Love at the Store.
- Watch his sitcom The Carmichael Show.
- Stream his film work in Poor Things, On the Count of Three, and Neighbors.
- For more talks, hear our conversations with Seth Meyers, Ramy Youssef, and Quinta Brunson.
- Order your Talk Easy mug in cream and navy or our vinyl record with Fran Lebowitz.
Illustrations by Krishna Shenoi. Reference image by Julius Chiu.
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