Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall
Andy Kaufman's legendary sold-out Carnegie Hall performance, featuring all of Kaufman's classic routines, including Foreign Man, Elvis, conga drums, plus Andy wrestling women and even taking on a real male wrestler! Also appearing is a menagerie of Kaufman's collection of human oddities, including the infamous Tony Clifton, The Love Family (a sub-Partridge Family singing group who do a bang-up version of "The Age of Aquarius" complete with synchronized dance movements), Grant Bowman the "Happy New Year Man" (straight from Times Square, where Andy found him), "cowgirl" Eleanor Cody Gould and an uncredited, surprise big name guest as Andy’s grandmother. Bob Zmuda appears as Andy's referee, and at the end of the show, Andy takes the entire audience out for milk and cookies.
Insights
Plot Summary
This performance film captures comedian Andy Kaufman's unique and controversial 1979 concert at New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall. Blurring the lines between reality and performance, Kaufman delivers a bizarre and unpredictable show that includes lip-syncing to Elvis Presley, wrestling a woman, and an extended, surreal musical interlude. The event cemented Kaufman's reputation for pushing comedic boundaries and challenging audience expectations.
Critical Reception
As a special event rather than a traditional film, 'Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall' received a cult following among fans of his unconventional comedy. Critics and audiences were divided, with some appreciating his fearless deconstruction of performance art and others finding the material self-indulgent or nonsensical. Its release as a home video feature allowed his unique brand of anti-comedy to be appreciated by a wider, albeit niche, audience.
What Reviewers Say
- A bizarre and unforgettable display of Andy Kaufman's unique comedic genius.
- Challenges traditional notions of performance and entertainment.
- Polarizing, but undeniably original and thought-provoking.
Google audience: Audience reception for this performance special is varied, with many appreciating Kaufman's daring and surreal approach to comedy, while others find it overly strange or lacking in conventional humor. It's seen as a definitive example of his boundary-pushing style.
Fun Fact
During the Carnegie Hall performance, Andy Kaufman famously performed an extended, operatic rendition of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" while dressed in a bizarre, elaborate costume.
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