Nish Kumar, the former star of ‘The Mash Report,’ is preparing to tackle his peers who engage with the manosphere and perform at events like the Saudi comedy festival in his latest show. This raises the question: could he be the outspoken progressive comedian audiences are seeking?
In a meeting room in central London, Kumar, recognizable by his curly hair and Jimi Hendrix t-shirt, is present, but another comedian, Jimmy Carr, commands attention from a large poster for Prime Video’s ‘Last One Laughing UK.’ This juxtaposition is particularly striking given Kumar’s previous public confrontation with Carr. Kumar had expressed his strong disapproval to Carr about his decision to appear on Jordan Peterson’s podcast, describing it as a “radicalisation event on an unprecedented scale.”
Furthermore, the description for Kumar’s upcoming tour, ‘Angry Humour from a Really Nice Guy,’ highlights his concern that comedy is being “co-opted by charlatans in service of autocrats.” This sentiment is partly a jab at performances like Carr’s at the Riyadh comedy festival last autumn.
Nish Kumar on Controversy, Comedy Peers, and the Manosphere
Nish Kumar, a comedian previously known for ‘The Mash Report,’ is set to critique colleagues who engage with the manosphere and participate in events like the Saudi comedy festival in his latest stand-up routine. This positioning prompts consideration of whether he represents the vocal progressive comedic voice that is currently needed.
During an interview in a London publicity office, Kumar is observed. However, the presence of a prominent poster for Prime Video’s ‘Last One Laughing UK,’ featuring host Jimmy Carr, adds a layer of irony. Kumar had previously voiced strong objections to Carr’s appearance on the manosphere influencer Jordan Peterson’s podcast, labeling it a “radicalisation event of unprecedented scale.”
The promotional material for Kumar’s forthcoming tour, titled ‘Angry Humour from a Really Nice Guy,’ further underscores his anxieties. He expresses concern that comedy has been “co-opted by charlatans in service of autocrats,” a sentiment that appears to be, in part, a response to Carr’s performance at the Riyadh comedy festival last autumn.