In season 10 of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Jerry Seinfeld has a star-studded lineup of guests (including Ellen DeGeneres, Dave Chappelle, Tracy Morgan and Zach Galifianakis), but perhaps none more noteworthy than the "King of Comedy" himself, the late Jerry Lewis.
As part of the digital series’ new 12-episode season, which bows July 6 on Netflix, Lewis guest-stars on one of Seinfeld's infamous car chats. The episode was taped ahead of the iconic comedian’s passing in August 2017.
In a preview of the 20-minute episode, Seinfeld and Lewis make a trip to Omelet House in Las Vegas for some specific brunch orders and coffee. (Hold the coffee for Lewis, though. He’s apparently not a fan of java.)
“I’m gonna have three fried eggs up,” says the comedian, "and a large order of very, very, very stiff bacon.”
After Seinfeld places an order of his own, the waitress goes on to ask him if he wants anything else, listing off options of potatoes, fresh tomatoes and assortments of homemade bread. The scene is reminiscent of Lewis' 1983 film Cracking Up, as Seinfeld’s response is the same following each suggestion from the waitress: “I don’t want it.” Yet, at the confirmation of his initial order, Seinfeld jokingly retorts with: “I wasn’t done.” (Seinfeld then said it was a "Jerry Lewis-kind of joke.")
The so-called King of Comedy takes a cue to deliver one of his own. “What’s your name?” Lewis asks the waitress. When she answers him, Lewis dryly responds with “Valerie? That was my father’s name!”
The remainder of the episode features Seinfeld and Lewis looking back at the late comedian's iconic career, in which they discuss Lewis' multifaceted role in the 1960s film The Bellboy. (Along with starring in the film, Lewis was credited as director, writer, producer and composer.) The two also spend their time discussing comedy and its changing culture, as well as its unwavering ability to "make everyone feel weightless."
Lewis died from heart disease on Aug. 20, 2017 at the age of 91. He was best known for his slapstick comedy in film, television and on stage. Following his passing, Seinfeld posted a tribute on Instagram to his friend with a photo of their ride-along interview. "As I've said many times, if you don't get Jerry Lewis, you don't understand comedy," he wrote. "Spending an afternoon with him a couple months ago in Vegas for Comedians in Cars was a comedy life moment for me."
The 10th edition of Seinfeld’s digital series also features guest appearances by Ellen DeGeneres, Dave Chappelle, Kate McKinnon, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Dana Carvey, John Mulaney, Hasan Minhaj, Zach Galifianakis, Neal Brennan and Brian Regan. Comedians in Cars is now streaming on Netflix.
Netflix