Goofing on Elvis: The Ultimate Andy Kaufman Streaming Guide

Premiering today on Netflix, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond gives audiences a peek behind the insanity of Man on the Moon with never before seen clips of Jim Carrey’s transformative, immersive portrayal of his comedy idol. For nearly 20 years, the behind-the-scenes footage was withheld from Universal to protect Carrey’s image.

“When the movie was over, I couldn’t remember who I was anymore. So you step through the door not knowing what’s on the other side. What’s on the other side is everything.”

Stream Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond on Netflix

To watch Andy Kaufman on SNL is to watch a performer who is wholly confident in his comedic abilities.

This particular appearance, which took place during the fourth episode of the historic sketch institution, is such a joy to revisit. Andy didn’t portray a character so much as he subsumed a role with unmitigated alacrity.

This six-minute sketch is a real rollercoaster as he takes the audience on a true emotional voyage. Laughter, sorrow, confusion, sympathy, and everything in between, Kaufman’s SNL career remains unrivaled.

Bonus Kaufman! His classic Mighty Mouse bit:

Thank you very much.

Where to stream Saturday Night Live

Don’t you dare watch Jim & Andy before streaming Milos Forman’s Man on the Moon.

Despite mixed reviews, Carrey unquestionably delivers an unworldly performance, even earning a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Kaufman. The film is available to rent in a variety of places, but it’s currently streaming for free if you subscribe to the Cinemax channel on Prime Video.

Where to stream Man on the Moon

Even if you’re unfamiliar with Kaufman’s oeuvre, you’ve heard of the now-infamous scuffle between Kaufman and Jerry Lawler on an episode of Late Night with David Letterman. 

This verbal (and later physical) altercation between the two is peak performance art. Watch the way Kaufman and Lawler heighten their confrontation, which was later revealed to be staged, until it finally reaches its explosive crescendo.

For more of Andy’s legendary appearances on Late Night, check out this compilation video featuring over 140 glorious minutes of Kaufman and Letterman (as well as his appearance on The Jerry Lawler Show).

Comedy nerds marvel at Kaufman’s stand-up and flare for the unconventional, but mainstream audiences knew the comedian for his cozy portrayal of affable mechanic Latka Gravas. If you’ve never had the pleasure of watching this classic sitcom, it’s currently streaming on Hulu.

Unlike other sitcoms of the ’70s and ’80s, Taxi still holds up and is the perfect television nightcap (aka a series you watch as you prepare to go to sleep).

Where to stream Taxi

Andy breaking the fourth wall on an episode of Fridays is obviously a memorable moment, but his appearance on the show the following week is riveting. His apology is such a work of art. Kaufman is obviously known for his comedy, but watch his performance in the second half of the video. The guy was a terrific actor.

His theatrical prowess was also on full display when he memorably stopped by David Letterman’s morning show to beg the audience for money.

Kaufman excelled at manipulating audience expectations. His deft puppetry was never more evident than his transformation from Foreign Man to Elvis Presley. The idea to have this meek, nervous performer morph into the King of Rock and Roll is brilliant from a cerebral perspective, but could fall flat without a comedian willing to 100% commit to both roles. Andy’s unwavering confidence in his ability to execute the idea is what makes this performance such an all-time classic.

That and his brief transformation back to Foreign Man after his spot-on Elvis impersonation.

Where to stream The Tonight Show

To say that Andy Kaufman’s comedy was divisive would be an understatement.

During SNL’s eighth season, then-executive producer Dick Ebersol was growing tired of Andy’s antics, so the comedian proposed an audience vote to determine his fate on the show. Fans had the opportunity to call one of two 900-numbers, one to “keep” Andy and one to “dump” Andy.

The final tally?

169,186 votes to “Keep Andy”
195,544 votes to “Dump Andy”

Kaufman would make another appearance via a pre-taped segment (aka “bought commercial time”) later in the season. Highlights from the episode can be found here and here.

Kaufman had an innate gift for making the ordinary extraordinary. On paper, a spoken word performance of “MacArthur Park” isn’t humorous, but Kaufman toggling between an emotional and emotionless rendition of the song is oddly mesmerizing.

And we’ll never have that recipe for such greatness again.

Inspired by the film My Dinner with Andre, Kaufman’s My Breakfast with Blassie is a 1983 comedy in which Andy and professional wrestler Classy Freddie Blassie eat breakfast and talk about life.

Fun fact: Andy met his future girlfriend Lynne Margulies for the first time, on camera no less, during filming.

Where to stream My Breakfast with Blassie

Andy was truly one of the greatest wrestling heels of all time. His stint wrestling women and proclaiming himself the “Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion of the World” elicited genuine vitriol from audiences.

Kaufman spoke about his approach to the character in the above video.

“Whenever I play a role, no matter if it’s good, bad, evil person, or a nice person, I believe in being a purist and going all the way with the role. If I’m gonna be a villainous wrestler, I believe in going all the way with it and not breaking character and not giving away to the audience that I’m playing a role.”

If you’re looking for a deep dive into Andy’s wrestling exploits, I suggest renting Andy Kaufman: I’m From Hollywood.

Since Taxi wasn’t creatively fulfilling for Andy, his contract with ABC also included a provision for his own TV special, Andy’s Funhouse. Taped in 1977 but airing in 1979, the 90-minute special is an assortment of Kaufman’s greatest hits (including Howdy Doody).

Similar to the above special, The Andy Kaufman Show aired in 1983. The whole thing is worth a watch, but definitely check out the intro. The show begins with Kaufman mid-interview, laughing hysterically. He then proceeds to thank the audience as the credits begin to roll… before the show even begins.

Andy’s now legendary Carnegie Hall performance is known for Kaufman taking the entire audience out for milk and cookies after the show, but there are two additional tidbits you might not remember:

1. The show didn’t end with milk and cookies. Andy invited anyone interested to join him the following day on the Staten Island Ferry, where he continued the show.

2. In the beginning of the show, Andy introduces the audience to his grandmother. At the end of his performance, it’s revealed that Andy’s “grandmother” is Robin Williams in disguise.

Now Andy did you hear about this one?
Tell me, are you locked in the punch?
Andy, are you goofing on Elvis, hey, baby?
Are we losing touch?