‘I should not be allowed to do interviews’: Nish Kumar on courting controversy and clashing with comics
The former Mash Report star’s latest show takes aim at his manosphere-courting, Saudi comedy festival-attending peers. Could he be the angry progressive standup we need right now?
TL;DR
- Nish Kumar criticizes comedians such as Jimmy Carr, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, and Jack Whitehall for performing at the Riyadh comedy festival and on Jordan Peterson's podcast, labeling it 'cultural-washing of a repressive regime'.
- Kumar expresses relief at no longer being at the forefront of media storms and 'culture wars', feeling his involvement did not benefit the causes he supported.
- His upcoming tour, 'Angry Humour from a Really Nice Guy,' addresses the ethics of comedy, the normalization of 'unthinkable horrors,' and his own financial success in a potentially collapsing society.
- Kumar turned down an offer to appear on Amazon Prime Video's 'Last One Laughing UK' because Jimmy Carr was hosting, given his public criticism of Carr.
- He references his influences, including The Simpsons, Chris Rock, and the sketch show 'Goodness Gracious Me,' which inspired him as an Indian growing up in London.
- Kumar's career gained significant traction after appearing on 'The Mash Report,' which led to him becoming a target for right-wing criticism.