Jerrod Carmichael’s new HBO special, ‘Don’t Be Gay,’ is surprisingly free of high-concept artfulness. Without it, what’s left?

Jerrod Carmichael on Love, Sex, Honesty and His Special “Don’t Be Gay” Clip: 6/12/2025 | 18m 21s Video has Closed Captions | CC. Having won an Emmy Award for his 2022 stand-up special ...

Jerrod Carmichael discusses his stand-up special “Don’t Be Gay. ... how I talk and how I’m holding my hands. Like all these things I’m like, I’m hyper aware of.

Jerrod Carmichael has been pushing boundaries for years, but the most striking thing about his new HBO special ‘Don't Be Gay’ may be how straightforward it is.

The Gist: Jerrod Carmichael won an Emmy for his 2022 stand-up special, Rothaniel. Critics were decidedly more split over the success of his follow-up project, Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show.