Kareem Matthews
Stretches minor everyday frustrations into long, exasperated act-outs.
1 special · 2002
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Kareem Matthews builds bits out of minor exasperation. He acts out both sides of a broken retail transaction, playing himself as a guy just trying to place an order and the cashier as someone who refuses to help. He rarely yells when the situation escalates. Instead, he slows his speaking pace, widening his eyes and staring into the middle distance as the interaction gets weirder. He leaves a long pause before repeating the exact phrase that ended the conversation.
Specials
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Premium Blend: Wanda Sykes (S6E5) with Wanda Sykes, Patrick Borelli & 2 more
Wanda Sykes hosts a 2002 showcase for four up-and-coming comedians.
Comedy Central · 25 min
On stage
He plays the Los Angeles club circuit, dropping into spots like the Improv and the Comedy and Magic Club. He brings a calm energy to a long showcase, taking a quiet crowd and loosening them up without rushing his delivery.
Away from the stage, he co-hosts a podcast dedicated largely to basketball debates.
His material covers familiar everyday friction, built around fast food errors and relationship arguments. He gets past the standard premises by committing to the characters. He has an ear for the vocal rhythms of bad customer service, mimicking the heavy sighs and dismissive teeth-sucking of an unbothered employee. He will adopt the slumped posture of someone who refuses to look up from a register, holding the physical stance in silence before he delivers the punchline.
He started his standup career in San Diego at the La Jolla Comedy Store before moving to Los Angeles. His early television spots include BET’s Comic View and a set on the Wanda Sykes-hosted season of Premium Blend.
At a glance
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