Comedians are often depicted in movies and TV as very depressed, unhappy people. In the trailer for the documentary “It’s Not That Funny,” Sarah Silverman is one of several comedians to share their own experience with anxiety and depression and reveal that this is a very real problem for all comics.
“All of us learn a skill set inherently as children that get us through childhood,” Silverman says in the clip. “100% of comedians become comedians because somewhere in their childhood, they needed to be funny in order to survive.”
“It’s Not That Funny” is a documentary short from Funny or Die and SoulPancake.com that presents conversations with comedians about the relationship between comedy and depression and the cost of bringing others joy. Among the famous and funny names featured in the film are Rainn Wilson, Neal Brennan, Wayne Brady, Rachel Bloom, Baron Vaughn, Chris Gethard, Rikki Lindholm and more, each with their own story to share.
“It’s a pill I take in the morning that stops me from jumping off a f—ing bridge,” comedian Chris Gethard says. “Comedy is not going to save you. And if you are thinking of doing comedy as a substitute for therapy, it doesn’t work. I tried. I tried for a long time. It doesn’t work.”
Mike Bernstein directed the short film that will release on SoulPancake.com later this summer, and SoulPancake is currently in touch with other comedians who are hoping to share their own experiences with anxiety.
“Everyone performs,” Wayne Brady explains. “I cannot complain, because if I complain, strike me down.”
Watch the first trailer for “It’s Not That Funny” above.