There's No Business Like Show Business

Fahim Anwar kicks off his debut hour by explaining why pigeons are the hipsters of the avian world, choosing to walk down a flight of stairs rather than fly. It is a showcase for his physical, highly expressive style of stand-up, which leans heavily into precise act-outs and observational premises. He is a former Boeing aerospace engineer who traded stable aircraft design for the Hollywood grind, and he uses this hour to justify that career pivot to his traditional Afghan parents.

Filmed in Los Angeles, the special was released on NBC’s short-lived streaming platform Seeso on March 9, 2017, with a companion album released by Comedy Dynamics. The set is directed by Aristotle Athiras, Anwar’s collaborator from the sketch group Goatface. His material covers vintage video games like NBA Jam and a disastrous Disney Channel audition, alongside an extended physical bit analyzing the frantic logistics of rushing home for an emergency bathroom visit.

The release was a critical success, earning Anwar a spot on The New York Times list of promising future stars.