The Aristocrats is a 2005 documentary film about a famous, notoriously dirty joke that has been a long-running staple among comedians. The film was directed by Paul Provenza and produced by Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller). It features over 100 comedians, including George Carlin, Robin Williams, Sarah Silverman, Gilbert Gottfried, and Bob Saget, each offering their own version of the joke.
The joke typically begins with a family pitching a talent agent their outrageous, obscene act and ends with the punchline: “The Aristocrats!“ The humor comes from the wildly offensive and improvisational middle section, which varies with each comedian’s interpretation.
The film explores the nature of comedy, freedom of speech, and the boundaries of good taste. Despite its crude content, it was praised for its insight into the creative process of comedians.