logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2022
22m 58s

Omid Djalili: Can jokes be funny without...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Comedy challenges taste and convention, and it can arouse strong reactions, as we saw at this year’s Oscars when a joke earned Chris Rock a slap in the face from Will Smith. Stephen Sackur speaks to Omid Djalili, who has spent more than 25 years finding laughs in sometimes unlikely places. He was born in London to Iranian parents, and has thrived as a cross-cultural comedic chameleon. Is it possible to be funny without being mean?

Up next
Aug 26
Conductor Gustavo Dudamel: Music has the power to unite
Music has the power to uniteMark Savage speaks to Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel about his life and career. Born in the city of Barquisimeto, he’s famous for conducting orchestras all over the world, as well as film credits that include conducting the opening and end titles ... Show More
22m 59s
Aug 25
Pete Townshend from The Who: Farewell tour doesn’t mean the end
John Wilson speaks to Pete Townshend, songwriter and guitarist of British rock band The Who about the band’s farewell tour of the US.Through his powerful stage presence and pioneering use of technology, Townshend transformed The Who from a hobby wedding band to one of the biggest ... Show More
47m 28s
Aug 19
Eliot Higgins: Algorithms don’t drive the truth
Algorithms don’t drive the truthAmol Rajan speaks to Eliot Higgins, founder of the open-source investigative organisation Bellingcat, as the world grapples with the growing threat posed by misinformation and conspiracy theories being deliberately spread online. Founded in 2014, B ... Show More
22m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2022
Jo Koy
Kevin sits down with comedian and star of the newly released film Easter Sunday, Jo Koy. The two discuss coming up on Chelsea Lately together, proving to his mother that comedy was a real career, and how he gained his confidence as a Filipino comic in America today. Like Comedy G ... Show More
55m 26s
Mar 2022
Comedian SUED Over Jokes: Vir Das
0:00 -start 9:00 - Marvel is just Bollywood movies for Americans 13:30 - When Vir started doing stand up in India 19:30 - Why comics are going to JAIL for jokes 56:30 - where does comedy go in India in the future? 1:09:16 - on a flight where someone has died 1:30:00 - American Ca ... Show More
1h 45m
Mar 2022
¿Estás de acuerdo con el actuar de Will Smith en los Oscars?
¡Este fin de semana pasó de todo! Muchos de ustedes ya saben sobre el bofetón del actor y recién ganador del Oscar contra el comediante y presentador de la gala Chris Rock. ¿Rock se pasó con su chiste? ¿Smith debe pedirle disculpas a él también?Además: México le ganó por la mínim ... Show More
1h 1m
Jun 2019
Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell (Anchorman, Saturday Night Live, Step Brothers) is an American actor, comedian, producer and writer. Will sits down with the Armchair Expert to discuss the impetus for Anchorman, his reverence for being on a team and his love for Sweden. Will gives the backstory of w ... Show More
1h 23m
Feb 2023
Wanda Sykes
This week Kevin Hart is joined by comedian, actress, and writer Wanda Sykes. They discuss how she started writing for Chris Rock, why she thinks there’s no such thing as cancel culture, knowing her audience and what they enjoy, and why she’s excited for the future of comedy. Like ... Show More
49m 45s