This week’s pick: "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" -- a hilarious talk show-esque program created, directed and hosted by the one and only, puffy-pirate-shirt wearing comic legend: Jerry Seinfeld!
What's it about, you ask?
First off, if you like Jerry Seinfeld, you’ll like "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee." Hell, if you like comedy, comedians, cars or coffee like, at all, you’ll love "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee." In all honesty, we’d be lying if we said we’re hard pressed to find any reason not to like CICGC.
But let's get down to brass tacks. The show itself is pretty self-explanatory. It's comedians, in cars -- yup, you guessed it -- getting coffee! At the same time, it's so much more than that. It's a little trite, yes, but it's also pleasurably addictive, full of childish joy and glee. Every episode is like getting a new toy! (Or a new car). No joke.
Furthermore, most episodes have an introspective aspect, when Jerry and his guest talk about something real, like family, failure and life in general. It prompts the audience to entertain the same dialogue in their own mind, but unlike some other Netflix shows (see "Dark" or "Maniac"), you don't have to use 110% of your brain understand what's going on.
Then, there are the comedians. Jim Carrey, Ellen Degeneres, Tina Fey, Chris Rock, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tracy Morgan, Jerry Lewis, Barack Obama. The depth of guests, not all of whom are "comedians," is impressive, to say the least -- and it doesn't stop there (but you'll just have to watch for yourself to find out who else is featured).
CICGC is equal parts silly, engaging, fun and down-to-earth, and we can't get enough of it.
But what makes it <i>different</i>?<div><sup>And why should I care?</sup></div>
Well, first off -- the format. There's no other talk show streaming or on television in which a host literally picks up a guest, in a car, and has real, actual one-on-one time with them. There's no live audience, no moderator or earpiece or back-up DJ. Just Jerry and his fellow comedian. It makes for a pretty organic experience that even occasionally borders on uncomfortable. Sometimes they just don't vibe, and you can tell. But that's life! And hey -- everyday life is what made Seinfeld the star he is today.
On average (as mentioned in the promo above), each episode only lasts 14 minutes. You know what that means?! Peak binge-ability. You could crush eight episodes of CICGC before you notice you missed the kid's soccer practice, a visit with your in-laws and the plumber who was supposed to fix your sink that's been broken for months.
Now, I know what you're thinking: why would I want to watch some rich bozos driving around in expensive cars...talking? If it appeases your apprehension, not all of Seinfeld's cars are exotic, exquisite machines. He drives Aziz Ansari around in a literal Winnebago and takes Zach Galifianakis on a ride in a VW Thing, which is basically the love-child of a tank and a dune buggy. But if cars are your thing, fear not. There are plenty of "sick whips" in Seinfeld's garage that he loves to show off.
And then, there's Kramer.
If you're still on the fence...
Watch an episode of "Seinfeld." Watch one of the comics featured in CICGC perform stand-up. Drink some coffee! Whatever you do, we highly recommend you give it a chance. After all, the episodes are just 14 minutes long.
"Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" is perfect for your morning commute, winding down after work or a hungover Sunday morning when you just need something to watch, that doesn't require you to flex your brain too much.
