I’ve watched a few episodes on Netflix. “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” sees host Jerry Seinfeld in vintage cars (he provides a history of the make and models at the start of the show) interviewing some of the most famous comedians as well as actors and a former Commander-in-Chief by the name of Barack Obama. I happened to catch the ones with Eddie Murphy, Jamie Foxx, Seth Rogen, and Tracy Morgan.

Nominated for a PGA Award for the “Outstanding Shortform Program,” I like the concept because of one particular element— Conversation. Sure, Seinfeld hasn’t created anything new under the sun, except for the fact he does away with mobile devices for the most part and talks to his subjects, who’s sitting next to him. Huh, how’s that for a way to communicate? I didn’t see anyone patting their pant pockets or searching if they dropped their lifeline, I mean cell phone underneath the seat of the car. 

In a time where “Clapback” and every facial expression a celebrity makes becomes headline news, it’s original to see a veteran comic like Murphy leave his home, jump into Seinfeld’s car and start a dialogue. How else do we indubitably find out what goes on in people’s lives?  

I’ve long loved the art of journalism— where it’s more important to hear and tell a story directly from the source versus running with too much of an assumption so that a person becomes first to report x,y, and z. Without Murphy having said so, who could accurately name his influences? Like when he tells Seinfeld, Elvis was one of his inspirations? Few knew? Including me. 

One thing’s for sure, I love to laugh, and I’m usually asking questions without realizing it, says a few people I know Lol. I’ve already thought of fun ways to get us talking more in 2020, but in the meantime, converse well sans your wireless companion, if only for sometime throughout the day.

By La Tasha Taylor

Feature photo: Netflix