Jerrod Carmichael is a once-in-a-generation kind of comedian. He’s someone who can take an art form that seems to have exhausted its possibilities and give it new life. His style, his presentation, his jokes, him. That’s what it all comes down to. Not every comedian has to bare their soul on stage, but the ones that do it best seem to have no other choice. Comedy that personal can take many forms. For Carmichael, it manifested in his new special Rothaniel, which he discussed on the newest episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Carmichael is calm and personable when talking to Meyers. Like his special, you can feel him tapping into who he is. Being yourself on stage can be one of the hardest things for a comedian to achieve. It is also key to a successful career. Carmichael is so comfortable as himself that he doesn’t try to hide his discomfort. There are moments when he seems nervous or contemplative. He doesn’t throw on a fake voice or try to joke his way out of those moments. He accepts them. He stays so firmly in the moment that you feel connected to him.

It’s not just Jerrod’s stage presence. He’s open with his material, whether it’s funny or not. It’s a delicate balance, but he strikes it beautifully. He is an artist who wears himself on his sleeve but in a way that feels accessible to everyone. His openness about his life, and his willingness to let his guard down, allow audiences to do the same. It is a beautiful comedy marriage that only comes along so often, and I’m just thrilled to witness it.

Andrew lives in NYC. You can follow him on Twitter.