Steve Carell behind new documentary

America’s top comic stars are to appear in a new documentary charting the evolution of stand-up over the past 60 years.

Steve Carell and comic-turned director David Steinberg have teamed up to make the movie, which is in production but has yet to be titled.

Hollywood trade website Deadline reports that they have interviewed stars including Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Lily Tomlin, Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Judd Apatow, Robin Williams, Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock and Tina Fey.

‘We're honoured that so many legendary comedic performers have chosen to be part of this,’ Carell said.

When asked how he came to be working with the star of the American Office, Steinberg joked: ‘Short story: Carell's career floundering.  I throw him a bone.  End of story.’

Canadian-born Steinberg was one of America’s best known comedians of the Sixties and Seventies who went on to work behind the camera on the likes of Mad About You and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

The film follows the success of Paul Provenza and Penn Jillette’s 2005 documentary The Aristorcrats, in which a similar line-up of comedy royalty illustrated the nature of stand-up by delivering different versions of the same filthy joke.

Meanwhile, the NBC network has picked up a half-hour sitcom written by Carell, based on his early days working as a postman in Massachusetts. The show is provisionally titled The Post-Graduate Project.

Published: 3 Dec 2010