The Aristocrats is a documentary film that explores the history of a dirty joke that has been told in the comedy world for over a century, known as "The Aristocrats". The joke is extremely vulgar and offensive, often involving incest, bestiality, and other taboo subjects. However, what makes the joke so unique is that it is completely improvised and customizable, with each teller adding their own unique spin to the punchline.
The documentary features interviews with over 100 comedians, including Robin Williams, George Carlin, Sarah Silverman, and Chris Rock, as they give their own take on the joke and share their own personal experiences with it. The film also delves into the evolution of comedy and the boundaries that comedians push to create material that is both shockingly offensive and hilariously funny.
The Aristocrats premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005 and was directed by Paul Provenza and produced by Penn Jillette. The film received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its in-depth exploration of the joke while others found it to be too vulgar and offensive. However, it has since become a cult classic among comedy fans and is considered a must-see for anyone interested in the art of stand-up comedy.