This October, stream four documentaries that each celebrate some of comedy’s most influential voices and institutions. Dive into the storied histories of fan-favorite comedic actor Martin Mull (who you may know best as Gene Parmesan); legendary Saturday Night Live “Weekend Update” anchor Norm Macdonald; stand-up slash actor slash woman of many voices Maria Bamford; and the stacked-with-talent landmark sketch comedy series SCTV.

The documentaries offer a look at a range of modern comedy: Martin Mull’s understated versatility; Norm Macdonald’s subversive run on SNL; Maria Bamford’s boundary-pushing candor; and SCTV’s sketch comedy legacy, which launched a generation of talent — including John Candy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, and Joe Flaherty. Read on to find out more about each film. 

 

Who Is Martin Mull?

Musician, cult comedian, unlikely TV fixture, acclaimed painter — Martin Mull spent his life becoming someone new all the time, and no version was ever what anyone expected. This candid, star-studded documentary, directed by the late Bob Saget along with Neil Berkeley (SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night), traces Mull’s restless reinvention, which took him from smoky folk clubs to prime-time sitcoms to gallery walls. Told in his own words and by the friends who watched it happen, including Steve Martin, Tom Waits, David Alan Grier, and more, it’s the story of a comedy icon who, as he put it, “had a hell of a ride.” The documentary was executive produced by Saget, Kevin S. Bright, Morgan Neville, and Caitrin Rogers. 

Martin Mull

Bob Saget, Neil Berkeley

Sean Bradley, Tara Billik, Neil Berkeley

Norm: The Tale of Norm Macdonald

From director Judd Apatow comes an intimate portrait of one of comedy’s most singular and influential voices. Norm: The Tale of Norm Macdonald traces the life and career of the stand-up and Saturday Night Live legend, from his rise as the deadpan anchor of “Weekend Update” to his enduring legacy as a comedian’s comedian — a master of absurd, dry, and unexpected humor. Built from archival footage, personal photos, and rare home videos contributed by fans and friends, the documentary lets Norm tell his own story in his own voice.

Norm Macdonald

Judd Apatow

Judd Apatow, Amanda Rohlke, Ross M. Dinerstein

Josh Church, Marc Gurvitz, Jon Liebman, Zoe Rogovin, Mark McCune, Ross Girard

Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story

Since the 1990s, stand-up comedian and actor Maria Bamford has built a career on turning radical honesty into radical comedy. In this documentary, co-directors Apatow and Berkeley trace the comedian’s path — and pathos — from her childhood in Duluth, Minnesota, to her hard-won fame in Los Angeles and her present-day life, showing how Bamford’s mental health journey and family relationships shaped her art and career. The documentary was executive produced by Josh Church, Wayne Federman, and Olivia Rosenbloom. 

Maria Bamford

Judd Apatow, Neil Berkeley

Judd Apatow, Neil Berkeley, Amanda Rohlke, David Heiman

SCTV: The Greatest Show You've Never Heard Of

This documentary chronicles the rise, fall, and enduring legacy of one of the most influential sketch comedy series in television history. Through intimate interviews with members of its legendary cast and an emotional reunion in Toronto, the film explores the creative partnership that transformed a small Canadian production into a cultural phenomenon that launched some of comedy’s most celebrated icons. Featuring never-before-shared stories and rare archival material, the documentary examines the artistic innovation that made SCTV a trailblazer and reveals the extraordinary decades-long friendships it fostered. Can’t wait to dive into SCTV? Stream all episodes of the series on Netflix now. 

Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Rick Moranis, Martin Short, Joe Flaherty

Jason Hehir

Chapman Downes, Whitney Johnson, Andrew Hafnor, Molly Montgomery, Kelly Meinhardt

Jimmy Kimmel, Scott Lonker, Jason Hehir