A SPECIAL CALLING
Comedian Russell Peters discusses the rules of comedy, political correctness and plans for an upcoming Bangkok show
Russell Peters can pack an arena and make it rumble with laughter. The Canadian-born stand-up humorist, whose jibes, send-ups and sharp wit belong to the tradition of observational and insult comedy, will return to Bangkok for the third time on March 4 at Impact Exhibition Hall 1.
Some people say Peters is good at “racial comedy” — he jokes about race in a straight-faced fashion — though in an interview with the Bangkok Post three years ago, he said he did “culture comedy”. Some, too, will frown at his disregard of what we call “political correctness”; others celebrate the way he uses humour to free discourse from conventional mindset.
Based in Los Angeles, Peters has been building the new act in clubs across the United States. He was the first comedian to get a Netflix stand-up special, in 2013, and his comedy-drama series The Indian Detective was recently released by the streaming service.
He has roles in as-yet unreleased films The Clapper with Ed Helms, Amanda Seyfried and Tracy Morgan; Supercon with Ryan Kwanten and John Malkovich; and Public Schooled with Judy Greer. Joining Russell on the “Deported World Tour”, which will be visiting the US, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore before Bangkok, will be one of David Letterman’s favourite comics, American comedian Jake Johannsen, a legendary raconteur of weird stories.
Prior to his show, Peters answers our questions via email.
This is your third gig in Bangkok, what new jokes and gags can we expect from you?
It’s been three years since I’ve been to Bangkok. Since then I’ve done a bunch of movies and my Netflix series, The Indian Detective. I’ve also got a whole new act with all new material, and even though I’m my worst critic, I’m pretty happy with it.
What do you think about political correctness? It is a hindrance to the art of comedy?
I don’t think that political correctness has any place in comedy. Comedians are the truth tellers. We have to be able to express ourselves without worrying about people’s sensitivities. We don’t set out to offend, but there’s always going to be someone who processes what you’re saying through their own filters — we can’t control that. Comedy isn’t for the sensitive.
In the US and in Thailand (as well as in many other places) comedians have played an increasingly bigger role in social commentary. Our job is to pay attention and comment on the world the way we see it. We’re not politicians or corporate executives, we don’t have to censor ourselves. We’re not looking for you to vote for us or give us a job. We can and should speak freely.
At the time when the world is said to be in a dire situation, what is the role of humour — including satire and black comedy? Comedians are pretty dark when they get together. We make the darkest jokes about the darkest things happening in the world — too dark for the stage in most cases.
What are the best advice and the worst advice you have ever received about being a good stand-up comedian?
The best advice that I ever got was right from George Carlin back in 1992. He told me to get on stage as much as possible. It doesn’t matter where, just get up there and do it.
You’ve been in comedy for so long. How do you keep yourself inspired?
Being a comedian is a calling. It’s what I have to do. I have to get on stage the same way that someone ‘has’ to be a doctor or a teacher. I can’t not do it.
The hardest part is coming up with new material. But I took a lot of time off after the recording of my last special, Almost Famous. I spent time working on The Indian Detective, but as soon as it was done, I started hitting up clubs around LA and gradually built my new act over the past year.
We make the darkest jokes about the darkest things happening