Directed by:
Paul ProvenzaComposer:
Gary StockdaleCast:
Lewis Black, George Carlin, Andy Dick, Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg, Jason Alexander, Hank Azaria, Billy Connolly, Carrie Fisher, Eric Idle, Paul Reiser (more)Plots(1)
"A man walks into a talent agent's office with his family and says, Have I got an act for you! The talent agent replies, So what do you do?" So begins "The Aristocrats," a joke that has been handed down from comedian to comedian for decades but is rarely told on stage. The next part of the joke varies, allowing for improvisation, and the only requirement in telling the joke is that it be as offensive as possible. Paul Provenza and Penn Jillette spent two years documenting as many versions of this infamous joke as possible, cornering comedians like Drew Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Susie Essman, and Paul Reiser whenever and wherever possible. The results are surprising, and often take their humor to places that may make sensitive viewers uncomfortable. While comic legends such as Don Rickles, The Smothers Brothers, and Phyllis Diller admit their familiarity with the joke, they shy away from telling their own versions. Some may be surprised, however, to see performers who are normally associated with family-friendly material, including Bob Saget and Jason Alexander, describing scatological and incestuous acts with deadpan glee. Ultimately, though, THE ARISTOCRATS is more than just many versions of the same dirty joke--it is an exploration of the workings of the unrestricted comic mind. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Lewis Black
USA
Best movies:
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Inside Out (2015)
Inside Out 2 (2024)
George Carlin
USA
Best movies:
George Carlin... It's Bad for Ya! (2008) (TV movie)
George Carlin: George's Best Stuff (1996)
George Carlin: Life Is Worth Losing (2005) (TV movie)
Andy Dick
USA
Best movies:
Sense8 (2015) (series)
The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride (1998)
Old School (2003)
Chris Rock
USA
Best movies:
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour Live (2015) (concert)
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Whoopi Goldberg
USA
Best movies:
Michael Jackson: HIStory on Film - Volume II (1997) (video compilation)
The Lion King (1994)
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Jason Alexander
USA
Best movies:
Hachiko: A Dog's Story (2009)
Pretty Woman (1990)
Jacob's Ladder (1990)
Hank Azaria
USA
Best movies:
Bart Wars: The Simpsons Strike Back (1999) (video compilation)
The Simpsons: Heaven and Hell (2002) (video compilation)
The Simpsons: Too Hot For TV (1998) (video compilation)
Billy Connolly
UK
Best movies:
The Last Samurai (2003)
The Secret Policeman's Ball (1979) (theatrical recording)
The Boondock Saints (1999)
Carrie Fisher
USA
Best movies:
Eric Idle
UK
Best movies:
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982) (theatrical recording)
Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
Not the Messiah: He's a Very Naughty Boy (2010) (theatrical recording)
Paul Reiser
USA
Best movies:
Stranger Things (2016) (series)
The Boys (2019) (series)
Aliens (1986)
Kevin Pollak
USA
Best movies:
Casino (1995)
The Usual Suspects (1995)
The Lost Room (2006) (series)
Harry Shearer
USA
Best movies:
The Simpsons: Heaven and Hell (2002) (video compilation)
The Simpsons: Too Hot For TV (1998) (video compilation)
The Simpsons: Dark Secrets (1998) (video compilation)
Fred Willard
USA
Best movies:
The Simpsons: Gone Wild (2004) (video compilation)
Wall-E (2008)
The Magic of Belle Isle (2012)
Robin Williams
USA
Best movies:
Le Destin de Will Hunting (1997)
Awakenings (1990)
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Sarah Silverman
USA
Best movies:
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Futurama: Bender's Big Score (2007) (video compilation)
Don't Look Up (2021)
Hugh Hefner
USA
Best movies:
Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
History of the World: Part I (1981)
Comic Book: The Movie (2004)
Andy Richter
USA
Best movies:
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2013)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Madagascar (2005)
Don Rickles
USA
Best movies:
Casino (1995)
Toy Story (1995)
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Bill Maher
USA
Best movies:
Bill Maher: I'm Swiss (2005) (TV movie)
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Bill Maher: Be More Cynical (2001) (TV movie)