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Immigrant

Maz Jobrani

Netflix · 2017

An energetic stand-up set addressing immigrant life in the Trump era.

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Maz Jobrani spends much of this hour proving that the immigrant experience in America is bound by a shared, highly specific set of rules that transcend country of origin, finding common ground in a politically hostile climate. Whether it is grandmas keeping cash stuffed in their bras, tough parenting styles, or the collective dread of a newly enacted travel ban, the performance centers on relatable cultural quirks and even features some unexpected Arab dancing to Public Enemy. Taped at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in April 2017, the show serves as a direct, energetic reaction to the early months of the Trump administration. Jobrani frames the political reality with disbelief, comparing the presidency to a late-night television sketch that refuses to end and arguing that the job should at least require the managerial credentials of a fast-food joint. At the time of filming, the comic was balancing his stand-up with a regular role on the CBS sitcom Superior Donuts and a recent commencement speech at UC Berkeley. Throughout the set, he relies on spontaneous crowd work, asking front-row attendees about their heritage to highlight the crowd’s international makeup.

The set list

7 bits

  1. Entering to Public Enemy's 'Fight the Power'

    Comically pairs a revolutionary hip-hop anthem with traditional Persian dancing.

  2. Donald Trump's presidency

    Describes Trump as a Saturday Night Live sketch that never ends, lamenting how hard it is for comedians to keep up with his daily antics and asserting that being president is not an entry-level managerial post at Carl's Jr.

  3. Audience crowdwork and translation

    Surveys the diversity of immigrants in attendance and has attendees translate words into Arabic, Urdu, Chinese, Ukrainian, and sign language.

  4. Running callbacks with audience member Ed and cousin Majid

    Dispenses Arabic gibberish advice to a white audience member named Ed and jokes that his cousin Majid has to be deported due to Trump's policies.

  5. Attending protests as an immigrant

    Frames political protests as enjoyable exercise while noting immigrants cannot afford to behave with the same brazenness as white protesters when riot police arrive.

  6. Racing Usain Bolt and middle-aged delusions

    Riffs on how men in their 40s still delusionally believe they could train for four years and compete in the Olympics.

  7. Modern parenting versus immigrant upbringing

    Contrasts his own careful parenting with how his immigrant parents raised him, noting how kids disrupt marital sex lives.

How it plays

Tone
Irreverent, feel-good, satirical, and socially commentary-driven.
On stage
Brimming with positive energy, charismatic, and diplomatic; enters bouncing like a boxer in a sleek suit and engages in Persian dancing.
Pace
High-energy, physically vibrant, hyping up the audience with dance and spontaneous singing.
About
Immigrant life in America during the Trump era, Donald Trump and political absurdity, Modern parenting vs. immigrant parenting, Racial and ethnic stereotypes, Aging and middle-aged athletic fantasies

What the critics said

Decider highlighted Jobrani's infectious positive energy, noting his deft handling of polarizing political subjects with warmth and inclusive humor that brings the room together.

In the room: Enthusiastic and engaged Kennedy Center audience that met political jabs with sustained applause breaks.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: nbcwashington.com, decider.com, vulture.com, thecomicscomic.com, en.wikipedia.org, vox.com, deadline.com, mazjobrani.com.

Backstory

Performed in early 2017 amid the backdrop of Donald Trump's presidency, travel bans, and heightened anti-immigrant rhetoric, drawing upon Jobrani's personal story of emigrating from Iran to California at age six in 1978.

Details

Released
Taped
Eisenhower Theater, The Kennedy Center, Washington
Where
Netflix
Director
Maz Jobrani
Topics
Before
I'm Not a Terrorist, But I've Played One on TV (2015)
After
The Birds & The Bees (2023)

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