Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (2012– ) User Reviews

gives me hope about the future of (not) television

[grnhair2001 · 9/10 · 1 October 2012]

I loved this show. I despise the unreality of "reality TV" but this belongs, I suppose, at the edges of that genre. It also belongs at the edges of the late night talk show genre, but with a host who engages rather than quizzes and allows guests to shill their current project...and the content here is often deeper and more interesting than the typical talk show's. The "story" is simply: Jerry picks up a comedian (or two) he is friends with, driving an amazing classic car, and they go for coffee, sometimes a meal, and they talk.

Though of course there must be a crew of sound and camera people, you don't feel as if there are; you feel as if you're a fly on the door handle of the car or on the diner table (some of the diners where they got coffee no doubt had those), eavesdropping on comic geniuses reminiscing and riffing what seems to be spontaneously on various ideas. For instance, Joel Hodgson and Jerry fall into a routine about advertising the upside-down ketchup bottle, Jerry playing the junior executive with some bad news to impart, and Joel being the impatient CEO with opera tickets who wants to get going, and they are very funny. They make each other laugh, too, and there is no sit-com reason to avoid breaking character and not laugh. So the viewer's sense is that we're sitting at a table with two or three funny friends and watching them go at it, and it's really enjoyable.

The final episode isn't entirely funny--it's damned moving. It's not only deeply philosophical at points, but shows some of the dark sides of comedy, and it moved me to tears.

It strikes me that the episodes were a perfect length for what they were--you wanted more. And there's something else you can't do on TV, eh? 22 minutes or 44, and nothing else, but a web show can be any length, providing different opportunities for creativity. I'm usually depressed by watching network TV shows, but this show made me feel optimistic about the future of entertainment and anxious to see what else is coming.

Terrific job, an idea that may sound odd at first blush but that worked perfectly.

Genre-defining and brilliant break out series

[eniveld · 9/10 · 25 May 2014]

Seinfeld boldly defined a new genre with this series, defying convention and putting fans first. So much is different about this series: It's distributed only on Crackle and his own dedicated web site, the episodes are an usual 14-18 minutes long, the format itself is unique, and the sole sponsor Acura created customized advertising content that they integrated into the show.

Each show follows this same formula: Jerry Seinfeld invites a legendary comedian out for coffee. He picks them up at their house or mansion in a different and rare classic car. You could watch this series just for the classic cars. In fact if you check IMDb you will find that people who watch this show also watch Top Gear. You might find a bit of Top Gear here, especially when it comes to simultaneous admiring and poking fun at the cars.

The famous comedians you meet are the top comedians of our time and Jerry has known many of them personally for decades, so anyone who's particularly into comedy will especially appreciate this series. He ranges from Jay Leno to Sara Silverman and Louis CK, and Chris Rock, to name a few.

And although you'll see GoPro's all over the inside of each car, along with a chase car or two, you are still there eavesdropping on an intimate conversation between two friends. They're not trying to create an illusion with the production crew staying out of the way, nor are they in your face either. This isn't an interview, and it's not a reality show either. It's something else, something new. Something happens to friends when they go for a drive in a classic car and just hang out.

This format works extra-ordinarily well in the unusual 14-18 minute time length Jerry makes each episode. Each episode features a different classic car, with Jerry describing the characteristics of the car that make it special for him. One wonders whether the cars are somehow matched to the personalities of the comedians. Then Jerry calls them up, and Jerry says something like, "So I'll pick you up in 15 minutes for coffee." He drives to their house / mansion, picks them up, and off they go to a unique coffee shop. Sometimes they have other impromptu adventures along the way.

Jerry and Acura obviously collaborated closely on this, as the customized advertising content from Acura is integrated into each show. The commercials match the retro/classic era of the cars they drive, and are downright funny themselves. Each episode features comical Acura product placements, so that after watching a few episodes you begin to play a game of "Where is the Acura product placement going to be in this one?" This is advertising genius.

Jerry thinks he's better than the President

[popzeus78 · 8/10 · 12 January 2016]

Possible Spoil Alert--This is a general overview of Jerry Seinfeld himself. The comedians on the show make the show. Jerry is just the inventor of it. I would give a better rating if Jerry Seinfeld didn't have such airs about himself. At first he seems very personable but later he makes comments to his guests that makes you wonder if he likes his fans or just 'regular' people at all. As time goes by I find myself liking Jerry Seinfeld less and less. However, the guests do their best and I find myself interested in the person whether they are funny or not. The cars are somewhat interesting to someone who really doesn't care about cars but not as interesting as the comedians themselves. Jerry does a good job doing nothing, just not great at being humble or very interesting himself.

Little nugget of somewhat indulgent gold.

[Claire99 · 10/10 · 19 September 2012]

It's a novel concept and rolls stand-up comedy, reality TV and our fascination with celebrities into one little bite-sized but right-sized segment.

The show is not constant laugh-out-loud humour and initially may appear not to live up to the high expectations which inevitably attach to a Jerry Seinfeld venture. You might even feel torn between the desire to watch, and the unwillingness to admit that you're interested in watching a celebrity get a cup of coffee.

But drop your guard, watch a few episodes, and you will realise that the creators do not intend to suggest that you have nothing better to do than watch their mediocre moments. Rather, this show is the loving little side-project of someone who just wants to share their passion for cars, comedy and the subtleties of human relations.

As down to earth as it gets

[gothickittty · 10/10 · 11 January 2019]

I'm only mildly surprised that people downrating this show find it unfunny and find Jerry to be aloof and arrogant. I think it's quite the opposite. Jerry is so down to earth and real with his guests, that regardless of who they are, they end up being their real selves with him! Why? Because he talks to them in all in the same fashion. He pulls no punches, doesn't sugar coat things or kiss their ass - instead he talks to them like you'd talk to your brother or a life-long friend. The result is a slew of guests whose true personalities shine through. That also means there's going to be guests that YOU thought would be funny who aren't funny at all - Even Jerry seems surprised. But other times you have guests that surprise. Jimmy Fallon lets loose and relaxes, he even admits he has had anger issues. Ellen becomes the controlling and judgemental b*tch that confirm rumors about her. Dave Chappell is entirely different than anyone could have predicted - introverted, germaphobic, and shy until he smokes up. All of them purely themselves in an unadulterated, unfiltered show. Spending almost an entire day with someone, driving with them at close proximity, eating, and shopping in public will expose anyone's true nature, eventually. I think it works brilliantly in favor of Jerry and if you disagree perhaps you should watch more filtered and calculated shows that lack spontaneity and realness.

Real interaction, great content.

[imdbpronoun · 10/10 · 4 October 2012]

First off, I love how the car is intuitively matched to the subject. It's hilarious because an inanimate object is worth a thousand words.

Jerry has phenomenal access to these guys and can relate as a professional peer. How often do you get to listen in on that type of conversation? These guys are giants and might have been around the block a few times. I think that's incredible. I especially enjoyed Bob Einstein's episode and Larry David's incognito moves in the diner.

Something that came to mind for me was how nice it is to see someone stay true to who they are and what they think is funny. It's also good to see comedians sussing out what exactly is funny about something, finding the funny or following the game as kids say nowadays.

I wouldn't mind seeing expanded versions, or repeat visits to some of these people.

Overall it's some of the best webseries content I've ever seen. I enjoy real talk (Dinner For Five with Jon Favreau would be another show) and can't wait to see more episodes of this online.

I super love this show!

[jlomb52261 · 10/10 · 19 July 2013]

As an earlier reviewer stated, I had very high expectations for Jerry Seinfeld. Afterall, I built my Thursday night around him for 9 years! When I watched the first episode, I thought, "meh". Then I gave it another try, then another, and another, and then consumed every single one of them and they got better and better as they went along. I watched them in no particular order either. I want more. I have to say, it is just totally enjoyable and I feel like a student watching the masters at work. They know that a camera is on them and I am quite certain that there are amazing conversations that never make it to the precious few minutes we get, but what comes across is genuine and warm and as with the last one I watched with Michael Richards, totally moving. I choked up and teared a bit on the last minute or so. I was not expecting that and this is what's best about this show. Please Jerry, make more!

Review of seasons 1-6

[sierrakilobravo · 6/10 · 27 October 2019]

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is a show that has been around for a while, but has only recently arrived on Netflix here in Australia. I've never been a huge fan of Jerry Seinfeld so it wasn't high on my list of shows to watch, but a scan down the guest list revealed a number of familiar names: Jim Carrey, Christoph Waltz, Tina Fey, Barack Obama, Will Ferrell, Alec Baldwin, Ellen Degeneres, Eddie Murphy, Sarah Silverman, Seth Rogen, and Ricky Gervais, to name just a few.

There is also a lot of people that I have never heard of, and those episodes became more background TV to me, but the episodes with the familiar faces were quite interesting.

The setup is that Seinfeld, each time in a different kind of vintage or rare car, picks up the guest, and they drive somewhere for coffee. We get to hear their conversation on the drive and at the coffee spot, and the relaxed nature of it all make it quite engaging. They talk about life, comedy, reminisce about old times, it's great. It was nice to see some of these big names chilled out and shooting the breeze with their friend Jerry.

If you haven't watched any episodes, I reckon its worth having a look. Its good rainy afternoon viewing.

a lot of something about nothing

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 17 July 2014]

It's one of the best web series around. On every episode, Jerry Seinfeld drives a fellow comedian in a car and gets coffee. Of course, the cars and the coffee are secondary. It's Jerry and friends. Most of time, it is hilarious or at least very funny. It's comedians shooting the breeze. It's very rare when the show falls completely flat. The only one that comes to mind is Todd Barry. He's so mellow that the show almost stops dead. Every show has some old story, funny bits, recalling old times, or theories on comedy. The names of the guests are a compelling list of who's who in comedy. It's one of the very few web series that can truly be called must-see.

Good show but not funny

[atargiderlibidosu · 7/10 · 31 December 2015]

It is a good show but not funny. It is a casual conversation with famous people, so even though there are lots of comedians in some episodes I do not even smile. It is not like other shows which usually are like interviews but a normal and sometimes boring conversations with once a while nice surprises. I think it is best to chose an episode which involves your favorite famous person and watch that episode to recognize that person like regular person not like a celebrity. I am also not a fan of cars so I just skip that part. Also I do not understand that weird cuts to filling coffee to cups lots of times. OK, I saw it! So in conclusion it is a fine but boring work with rare brilliant moments.

Only the tires of his cars are inflated

[koen-994-292304 · 10/10 · 11 May 2020]

This is truly a great show. It gives you a look into the minds of the best comedians on the planet. And no, Seinfeld's ego is not inflated, only the tires of his cars. It's a show people. If you listen carefully you can learn a lot about comedy. Love it!

Surprisingly entertaining

[mkhobson-15509 · 7/10 · 19 July 2018]

Some episodes are better than others (obviously), but I really like the short, light-hearted episodes.

Sometimes Ok, Often Cringe-Worthy

[jakep3 · 5/10 · 18 August 2019]

My wife and I cherrypicked about 10 episodes, I feel like we got a pretty good cross section. Quickly realized that the funniness of the show depends entirely on the guest and their ability to tolerate Jerry.

He often asks pointless and awkward questions which even the guests visibly cringe at. Jerry doesn't really seem interested in talking about substantive things with the comedians, he has rather low regard for people he considers less funny than himself, and treats his comedy career as if he's Jonas Salk.

I went into this show somewhat indifferent toward Jerry Seinfeld and came out quite put off by him. The show deserves some credit for the array of guests. The cars are cool too, despite how mind-numbingly self indulgent that aspect is. It really speaks to Jerry's personality that he combined his favourite things into a show, but the part that the audience might care about (asking the guests questions) often feels like an afterthought.

Comedians telling anecdotes

[utku_kamil_ozen · 9/10 · 1 June 2015]

First of all this show is all about two comedians(rarely accompanied by a third guest) telling each others anecdotes mostly regarding comedy biz and having conversations that remind us the ones Jerry and George were having in the Seinfeld. The concept of driving to get a coffee and the coffee place are simply the stage of the show where the comedians have their conversations. The cars and the coffee places are not really the subjects of the show. So do not expect great deal of information about the cars. Jerry tells about the cars so little as to make a mere introduction of the machines they are going to enjoy as part of the day. As a Turkish person who lives in Turkey where the comedy is made by few people and mostly with poor taste, i really admire American comedy which is very rich with its many comedians and concepts and i still discover this great comedy culture. This shows brings a lot of young comedians and legends to screen(of the internet) and they tell amazing stories in the tone of a friendly, casual get- together. A great example of one of these moments in the show, was when Jimmy Fallon told an anecdote about Jack Nicholson and Cracker Jacks. The concept of the show is very smart for revealing these moments. In this sense, it is similar to a late night talk show only it is more relaxed and the guests are exclusively comedians. Very entertaining and original. i hope to see many seasons of this show, with comedians like Larry David, Louis CK, Ricky Gervais and Jimmy Fallon reappearing along with legends.

Smart, funny, mature

[dzimarek · 9/10 · 21 February 2014]

Seinfeld has always been classy and thoughtful and this show echoes the originality of his TV series "Seinfeld." It's a thinking-person's style of humor with great stories, unique personalities, and down-to-earth situations that make viewers feel like we are a part of these comedians' lives, at least for a moment. The combination of a car, a guest, and a coffee shop is a very Seinfeld-esque quirky that has that "wish I'd thought of it" feel to it. I've been able to introduce several family members and friends by hooking them from different angles. My car-loving brother-in-law likes the car selections, my sister likes the human behavior angle, and my friend just likes to see some favorite comedians. I enjoy all of the above, plus the artfully selected filming angles. The whole show is a pleasure. My wife and I have re-watched several of the episodes. Even the commercials seem to blend elegantly with both the theme of the show and the delivery style. Arriving in a world flooded with entertainment, CCC is a fresh and invigorating show. I hope Seinfeld continues to expand the series, as I want to meet more people and hear more conversation!

Watched all of them. Twice!

[vpck100-15-672657 · 9/10 · 22 April 2020]

Even the painful Barack Obama one. YEESH! All in all Jerry is unflappable. Even when the cars break and guests suck. No matter how bad or boring the guest, Jerry picks them up, dusts them off and makes them look good. Admittedly, I have a soft spot for the cars. For me it's the best part. The other really amazing part is that no matter the guest, the entire show is worth watching for anyone. No on should be politically offended. No one will be worn out by the toilet humor, as there is none. No one will be put off by the subject matter. Like Jerry, it's all clean, unoffensive and universal. Hilarious at times. Boring at times. Mostly just interesting, informative and enlightening. YES! Jerry is a bit arrogant at times. But, If I had come to be worth over a billion dollars, had amassed the best collection of Porsche cars in the world outside of the museum in Stuttgart, had a 22 million dollar jet, a beautiful wife, three great kids and had accomplished more then most humans by a factor of about ten, I guess he deserves to be a bit cocky.. I would be too. He's earned the right to not be incredibly humble. Great show.

Great interviews, great personalities...

[imdb-00259 · 8/10 · 10 May 2020]

The chemistry between Seinfeld and each of the interviewees is just magic. The episodes should be longer though, you just don't get enough time for the subjects to become completely natural. OK, so this type of thing will never be 100% authentic, but watching these are still a beautiful experience. The cars are awesome, would love to drive some of these beautiful vehicles.

More like a series of awkward moments

[jwpicton · 7/10 · 19 April 2020]

In the spirit of "A show about nothing" it looks like Seinfeld has actually tried to do that and ended up with a series of lacklustre meets. There are one or two interesting and engaging episodes BUT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE GUEST - NOT THE HOST! The continual references to this bygone or that bygone have become a get out for a boring, often depressed guest and Seinfelds attempts at impromptu laughs mostly bomb and are often awkward revealing a very poorly grounded and uneven rightish wing stance which he clumsily covers up with a "but everything is humor" philosophy. So much so that It's nauseating at times. The whole thing is basically one giant rich man's mid life crises. Its a shame because the "Seinfeld" series is still pretty fresh and relevant to today's world. But as in life - you're only as good as your last gig.

Love It!

[sanecatlady · 10/10 · 13 July 2018]

I Love the unscripted, honest aspect of the show. I just read a few bad reviews from The Washington Post and realize that whoever hires those writers suck and make crap up,based on their sad, pathetic lives. For example, and this is not an exact quote, but they said Seinfeld is" out of touch with real people and the expensive cars on the show are an example of how out of touch he is with real people, displaying the gap between the wealthy and non wealthy". Really??? I am far from wealthy and gee, I never noticed that, because it doesn't exist on this show. I LOVE the show. Who cares if they have more $ and can afford the nice cars..(Seinfeld doesn't own them...just props for his show), but even if he did, so what? He worked exceedingly hard as do the celebs on his show and deserve those cars, Washington Post. I have and always will be a Jerry Seinfeld fan. I will watch this show as long as it is on and hope for it's continued success.It's real, shows the genuiness of Jerry and other fave actors and celebrities and is a terrific show.I would add, however, that I think it would be just as fun to do a "Comedians in Cars Getting a Beer"!! Terrific show!!

Relaxed, intelligent and fun

[jwpicton · 7/10 · 9 June 2020]

S11E07 is THE ONE episode every episode should be like. Ok, obviously if EVERY episode were similar to THAT one the show would lack variety, become stale, predictable, yada yada yada, but, if every episode was as relaxed, fluent, spontaneous, serendipitous, unassuming, intelligent and sapio-logically funny then I'd rate a 10 through and through, but then again, who am I.

This show is like a comfort food

[acukurin · 10/10 · 31 October 2020]

This is a show that I rewatch whenever I need some "comfort watching". It funny, sometimes silly, always smart and interesting conversations, very relaxing. The concept of the show is genius, just doing what you want to do: drive, enjoy the weather, good food and coffee and just exchange ideas and laughs between friends.

Some good some terrible

[benjamin-varas-a · 7/10 · 16 July 2019]

Some of these are just sad (f.i. Steve Martin, Bill Maher, Oswalt, Gaffigan). Some are funny, interesting and cool (Silverman, Brennan, Ballinger). The whole is worth a watch if get into the mood, and like tips and anecdotes about comedy etc. But some episodes are so pathetic, and Jerry either enjoys it o mr just swing it. Peculiar watching.

Watchable but...

[Jmom1970 · 5/10 · 9 March 2019]

I think the concept is ok. Nice cars and comedy legends make it interesting. The Jazz gives it a nice urban feel. The problem with the series is Jerry. He's just so arrogant and full of himself and, insofar as comedy goes, he's not that funny. Too many shots of coffee too. It gets old fast. The segment with Mel Brooks made it worth it for me though.

Where's Conan

[ho-sd · 8/10 · 3 July 2019]

I really like how comfortable and easy the show is . It's just still missing the great comedian Conan O'brien .

Fascinating and Entertaining

[bowie-5 · 8/10 · 1 September 2013]

Jerry Seinfeld has always been a top entertainer and he does not disappoint in this little gem of a show. Jerry and his guests are all in top form being both interesting and entertaining. The banter Jerry and guest have is obviously spontaneous.

My only misgiving is that this is such an obvious rip-off of the UK series 'Carpool' created and staring Robert LLewellyn. In a direct comparison - Jerry Seinfeld is probably the better of the two hosts and the addition of a different car each episode of 'Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee' is a nice, if unnecessary, touch.

All in all a 'reality' show well worth watching.