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It’s been three years since Jerrod Carmichael came out publicly in his Emmy-winning comedy special “Rothaniel.” Following the special’s debut, the 38-year-old comedian, who obviously loves the spotlight, allowed the cameras to follow him in the eight-episode unscripted series, “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show.” In his latest HBO comedy special, “Jerrod Carmichael’s Don’t Be Gay,” he reflects on what happened after allowing cameras to witness some of the most intricate details of his life, his long-time boyfriend Michael and his current relationship with his family – to hilarious effect. Witty, brash, guttingly honest and slightly heartbreaking, in “Don’t Be Gay,” Carmichael is reconciling how much the fear of being outed made him forget about the one other thing that affects his everyday life: racism.
Filmed this past February at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater in New York City, “Don’t Be Gay” opens with Carmichael standing on stage, a simple, velvet beige curtain acting as the backdrop behind him. He immediately begins chatting about the reality series and his struggles with internalized homophobia and rampant infidelity. However, these issues weren’t enough to drive him to therapy. Instead, Carmichael recalls that he went down a mental spiral after reading the online response to his romantic relationship. Comments like, “Why this n—- Jerrod got a white boyfriend?” forced him to question whether he was transforming into Clarence Thomas.
Despite his professional and financial success, Carmichael admits rather sheepishly that he still seeks the approval of Black people, which likely has to do with his upbringing. The backlash to his white lover – or specifically, the moment he sucked the toes of a hookup on-screen pushed him to finally see mental health professional. Edited by James Atkinson, who alternates between shots of the “Poor Things” actor in extreme close-ups and more distant in-crowd shots, the audience is taken on a hysterical, sometimes deeply uncomfortable, but beautifully blunt journey.
Dressed in jeans, a simple white tank top and some Birkenstocks, Carmichael appears more self-assured than ever. He talks about his waffle obsession, using Grindr when he was hiding his sexuality, his family — particularly his hyper-religious mother, and how challenging it is to return to his childhood home in North Carolina, where his parents still live. As he puts it, “I’m gay, and n—-s don’t read.” He remembers how difficult it was to “be straight,” especially in early 2000 when D’Angelo’s extremely horny “How Does It Feel” music video premiered. Though it seems unlikely Carmichael will ever have a close bond with his mother again, he seems to be at a point of acceptance. However, he is now more certain than ever that the institution of the church is actually a pyramid scheme. He also seems resigned to be the official breadwinner for his entire family – a dichotomy that makes him feel pride and a bit like a scroogey Reagan-era Republican.
The 53-minute special directed by Ari Katcher is full of laugh-out-loud punchlines, but the comedian also doesn’t shy away from darker themes. He reflects on child funerals, very graphic and specific sexual acts that get him off and also how he’s hurt and continually devastated his partner because of his inability to be truthful and express his feelings. Even amid these deeply uncomfortable and sometimes cringy moments, Carmichael’s self-awareness is always palpable.
In this “Rothaniel” follow-up, Carmichael has never seemed more confident. A master storyteller, he leans into the relief he feels about no longer being closeted while considering his remaining discomfort over PDA. Despite their open relationship, he hates that his beau can also sleep with other people, but his own sexual appetite prevents him from being monogamous. Carmichael is content to share his personal shame while exposing the social ills that have also tried to stop him from being his true self. “Don’t Be Gay” has more levity than “Rothaniel”– Carmichael has a sense of liberation that only comes after facing your worst fears. Once again, the comedian has mastered the beauty of standing directly in his truth.
“Jerrod Carmichael’s Don’t Be Gay” will air on HBO on May 24 at 10pm ET/PT and will be available to stream on Max.
English (US) ·