Shazia Mirza, a British stand-up comedian, was raised in strict Muslim household. She uses that as content while she wear a hijab, takes the stage and makes people laugh. Excerpts from an email interview, where she was asked to show off her sense of humor:
What's so funny about you?
That's like asking, 'Why is your mother a pain in the ass?' It’s not a question I understand, and it’s not a question I have ever been asked before. God help me when I come to India; I hope we understand each other.
Is it still stand-up comedy if you make jokes sitting down?
I feel you are taking this stand up comedy business quite literally. It doesn't matter where, or what position you do it in, comedy is comedy, not The Kama Sutra.
What do you when your audiences don't laugh on cue?
I kill them.
Harith Iskander, popularly known as the Godfather of Malaysian stand-up comedy, is a serious man. When he’s one stage, however, he becomes seriously funny. Excerpts from an email interview:
What's so funny about you?
Truthfully? Nothing. It's unbelievable that I have been getting away with being a comedian for 23 years now. I really can't work it out. I feel that one morning, I'm going to wake up and find out that I've been living in an alternate reality and that I am, in fact, an accountant in a very small bank — who collects stamps as a hobby.
Is it still stand-up comedy if you make jokes sitting down?
There is a distinct possibility that after a few drinks one might find one self doing stand up comedy sitting down, or even lying down. So, in essence, I guess it's still stand up comedy. Or, at least, comedy by a stand up comedian sitting down.
What do you when your audiences don't laugh on cue?
I pretend that wasn't the punch line and they weren't supposed to laugh anyway. Hopefully, no one notices.
MRT1 Stand Up Comedy Night is on April 4 at 7.30 p.m. in Taj Coromandel. For tickets, check eventjini.come or call 9566028833
