Seinfeld's 'Comedian' just for die-hard fans

Jerry Seinfeld stars in a documentary that has just hit DVD, but it may be strictly for his die-hard fans.

— "Comedian" (Miramax, 2002; R for language; $29.99). Those who rent or buy this documentary expecting to see Seinfeld in concert will be disappointed. Although there are snippets of the new routines he was developing for his post-sitcom stand-up comedy tour (which recently played here in Abravanel Hall), most of the film chronicles the angst of Seinfeld intercut with the angst of an up-and-coming comic named Orny Adams.

There is some fun to be had, as Seinfeld shows up unannounced at Manhattan comedy clubs to do his onstage thing, much to the delight of audiences (except when he's still working out some routines), and when he casually chats up fellow comics Jay Leno, Bill Cosby, Chris Rock and his pal Colin Quinn.

But most of the film is pretty annoying, as first-time director Christian Charles shows off his cinema-verite, Robert Altman-borrowed style — his camera bounces around, time shifts back and forth, and the background music drowns out the dialogue.

Mostly, we see repeated shots of Jerry cussing and Orny cussing, Jerry complaining and Orny complaining, Jerry suffering from flop sweat and Orny suffering from flop sweat, Jerry getting big laughs and Orny getting big laughs, and, eventually, Jerry and Orny deciding theirs is a great job after all. Ho-hum.

The extras include deleted scenes, most of them with Seinfeld, and the complete stand-up routines that Seinfeld and Adams each did on "Late Night With David Letterman." There are also separate faux interviews with Seinfeld and Adams conducted by Martin Short in his JIminy Glick fat suit . . . which, while amusing, is strictly a matter of taste.

Extras: Full frame, two audio commentaries, deleted scenes, "Late Night with David Letterman" stand-up performances, interviews with Comedy Central's Jiminy Glick (Martin Short), advertising, stand-up notes, etc.

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