Critic Reviews

It is a remarkable piece of conceit, craft, performance, and vision, and it’s a truly astonishing way to probe so many ideas that have been bubbling up over the past several years about the role of comedy and how we value authenticity.

Jerrod Carmichael’s new HBO comedy special, “Rothaniel,” is a vulnerable offering wrapped inside a virtuoso performance. ... Deft visuals mesh with Carmichael’s opening lines, which situate his audience as confidants, or even something more.

Rothaniel a startling work of confidence and bravery, and so far the best comedy special of the year.

In his honesty and tenderness, Carmichael has created a special that blurs the line between comedy and confession, exposing how humor can relieve incredible tension while obscuring so much truth.

Pointed, quiet, hilarious, and heartbreaking all at once. ... ["Rothaniel"] actually achieves an intimacy that makes watching it feel like eavesdropping.

For all of the seriousness of his revelations, Carmichael does manage to keep things from getting too dark.