Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show

I have such mixed feelings about this show. On the one hand, I really appreciate Jarrod's transparency and openness. It's refreshing to see a gay person share their life so unabashedly. On the other hand, I really do not like how he seems to keep making such bad decisions and then simply laughs them off. Coming out later in life is hard, but it doesn't give one permission to treat others like crap. I hope as the show goes on that his outlook matures a bit. It seems like he's trying, but whatever he's doing isn't working. I want to just reach through the TV and say "get yourself together!" He seems very stuck in his own head so far, and I just keep cringing!

With only one episode out I am already fascinated and exited for the journey this shown will explore. Recognizing the bias and issues with being a reality show while trying to show the audience his truth. Jerrod Carmichael is seeking something with this and I for one am glad to be along for what I can only assume will be a hilarious, uncomfortable, and one hope fulfilling sojourn in the world of reality television. Family issues that are all too familiar to black queer people are front and center. His friend taking a stark stance against the entire endeavor of Jerrod participating in this reality show. A soundtrack that is delightfully whimsical. And I did not even get to the Emmys thing. I am excited for what this program will be and is.

But the brilliance of this show is not to necessarily hyper-fixate on Jerrod in any self-aggrandizing way. Carmichael uses this meta-styled documentary to address universal conflicts that come with being gay and colored in America.

Simply put - I don't even like Jerrod or care about his life - but to get this unique of a perspective into gay black culture has not been executed anywhere else on this level. Even if this was 100% fictional, it's still an incredible experience.

Other topics such as infidelity and religious intolerance are brought up as well, but it doesn't always resolve itself as Carmichael acknowledges that he doesn't have the solutions.

Carmichael knew that he could use his public image to therapeutically extend and relate to many viewers. I can certainly see this show helping people struggling with addiction, family issues, identity issues, etc. (Personally, having left the Pentecostal church due to its homophobia, the episodes of Jerrod with religion hit very close to home.)

And massive props to the editing and production team linking all of these episodes so richly. Even if scenes from this are staged, it's still incredibly impressive.

Highly recommend to watch if you're a minority or wanting to see something so original come out of the Black/LGBTQ+ community.

Raw, Real, Heartbreaking, Brave, Unique, Different, Loving, Hopeful. I want to see more. I was happy to see tape of Jerrod and family from years ago. It seemed to show a lot of love between Jerrod and his Mom. It appears his Mom was naive when she was young and found the help she needed by giving her life to Christ and believing all that is in or at least, interpreted by some, as to what the Bible says. This seemed to help her deal with the difficulties in her marriage. Jerrod realized, at some point, he was not living his truth. When he told his truth, that really put a strain on the relationship between he and his Mom. I think the only thing that is coming between the love that his Mom, Cynthia has for Jerrod is, what SHE BELIEVES is the interpretation of the Bible regarding homosexuality.

HBO has gone out on the limb recently introducing several "unique" shows: Painting with John, The Rehearsal and now Jerrod Carmichael's Reality Show. Of the three, Carmichael's 2024 Gotham TV Award for Breakthrough Nonfiction Series deserves some attention.

Comedian Jerrod Carmichael (2022 Emmy-wining comedy special "Rothaniel") was given an eight-episode series from HBO following his coming out and desire to speak personally about his family relations. Why an individual needs/desires a public format in which to throw their family/friends/lovers under the bus, and why HBO was willing to green light the idea, is baffling.

I don't know Carmichael's comedy, so maybe his self-deprecating, Me, Me, Me style is his thing? If it is, I don't find it funny or interesting.

Throughout the series, he uses the camera to hide behind how poorly he treats himself, his family and his boyfriend. So embarrassed to be part of Carmichael's series, a "friend" will only appear in a mask and altered voice.

Trying to wrap his comedy into the series, he occasionally drops in and out of his stand-up (sit-down) comedy routine. Why his audience would sit through his self-absorbed rambling doesn't make sense. If he wants a therapy session, why invite an audience. Get a therapist and get a room! Supporting his lack of self-respect for himself and his audience, he appears on stage wearing crocks and socks and demonstrates a total lack in taste for his appearance.

Carmichael managed to get his 15-minutes of fame and some. Unfortunately, he took many people down with him.