You may not instantly recognize the name, but David Steinberg was once one of the world’s best known stand-up comedians. The son of a Winnipeg rabbi, Steinberg abandoned his yeshiva studies to join Chicago’s legendary Second City improvisational comedy troupe and never looked back. Aptly described as a cross between Woody Allen and Lenny Bruce, Steinberg’s comedy is satiric, literate, and brazenly Jewish.

 

During the course of his career, Steinberg appeared on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JOHNNY CARSON more than 100 times (second only to Bob Hope) and his standup shows put him in the ranks of George Carlin and Richard Pryor, but his shtick was often too controversial for American television. His religious “sermonettes” generated more hate mail for CBS than any network ever received, and led to the cancellation of THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR. Also a sought-after director, Steinberg worked on SEINFELD, MAD ABOUT YOU, and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM.

 

This hilarious documentary features priceless performance clips and backstage stories from Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Martin Short, and other comedy greats who’ve worked with and been inspired by this legendary satirist and provocateur.