Who's the Caboose?

In 1997, eight years before her Jesus Is Magic feature spotlight, Sarah Silverman starred in this low-budget spoof involving a fictional documentary crew making a film about New York's homeless population. After the filmmakers end up in a club where Susan Underman (Silverman) is performing, they abandon their project in order to document Underman's trip to Los Angeles for “pilot season” (when actors vie for parts on new shows). Her performance artist boyfriend Max (director Sam Seder) joins her shortly afterward, and while their relationship quickly disintegrates, Susan goes to auditions and client dinners, mingling with managers like Jason (Andy Dick) and fellow thespians such as “Katty” (Kathy Griffin). Left to his own devices, Max tangles with showbiz types himself, including entertainment lawyer Ken Fold (Jon Benjamin), who offers to represent him. Soon Max ditches the glasses, straightens his hair, and waits for the paychecks to roll in. From big stars to struggling performers, everyone shares a sense of self-delusion, and Susan also meets with her share of veiled anti-Semitism (a studio suit describes her as “sort of an Ashkenazi … she's got that New York thing”). Who's the Caboose? anticipates the improvised, insider humor Larry David would later employ on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm. As Silverman fans are sure to recognize, the comedienne actually did follow up with the TV miniseries Pilot Season. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)