Immigrant

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.