“It was Bob’s world; we’re only living in it.” That’s the overall sentiment of “The Super Bob Einstein” movie. Who? Well, you should probably remember the Sahara dry comedian Super Dave Osborne, right? He was the alter-ego of comedian Bob Einstein, playing a naïve but optimistic stuntman who was frequently gravely injured when his stunts went spectacularly wrong. Comedy always ensued. From the 7’0s to the ’90s, Super Dave appeared everywhere, Johnny Carson, his own show, and was always a recurring guest on David Letterman. Before that, he worked on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” and later in life, his career was revived with a recurring role on Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
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Einstein passed away in 2017 at the age of 76, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, and in the new doc “The Super Bob Einstein,” a veritable whos who of living comedy legends give tribute to his talent and curiously deadpan comedic kills. The doc features Larry David, David Letterman, many of the cast and crew of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Sarah Silverman, Jerry Seinfeld, Patton Oswalt, and more.
Here’s the official synopsis:
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From the team behind HBO Documentary Films’ “If You’re Not In The Obit, Eat Breakfast” and “The Bronx, USA” HBO’s THE SUPER BOB EINSTEIN MOVIE, debuting TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28 (9:00–10:18 pm ET/PT), celebrates the life and legacy of the late actor, writer, and producer Bob Einstein. Written, produced, and directed by Danny Gold and produced by George Shapiro and Aimee Hyatt, THE SUPER BOB EINSTEIN MOVIE features some of Einstein’s greatest comedic contributions, including his iconic alter-ego Super Dave Osborne, his work both behind and in front of the camera on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” and his defining role as the unforgettable Marty Funkhouser on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” The documentary explores Einstein’s unlikely discovery and enduring career, sharing the many evolving layers of his comedy from the people that knew him best.
THE SUPER BOB EINSTEIN MOVIE will air on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. Punctuated with a treasure trove of archival clips, Einstein’s unique sensibility is remembered by family, friends, and fellow comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Susie Essman, David Letterman, Sarah Silverman, Norman Lear, Cheryl Hines, Jimmy Kimmel, Steve Martin, Patton Oswalt, Rob Reiner, JB Smoove, brothers Albert Brooks and Cliff Einstein, wife Berta and daughter Erin. A pillar of the comedy community for nearly 50 years, Einstein’s singular sense of humor had a lasting impact on generations of legendary comedians.
In keeping with Einstein’s propensity for wry joke-telling and daring physical comedy, “The Super Bob Einstein Movie” is a celebration of Einstein’s uncanny commitment to his work and a moving, fittingly funny tribute to a beloved comedian. The HBO original documentary premieres on December 28 at 9 pm on HBO Max. Watch the first trailer below.