One night, two comedians! October 11 is proving to be a day of choices. For those ditching Sandance in favour for some lighthearted relief, they will find they have two options: Jason Byrne’s The Special Eye Tour and Omid Djalili’s Stand Up Show. Which do you choose?
With both comedians receiving worldwide success for their sidesplitting performances, we’re struggling to pick one too. In order to help you decide we devised the Joke Off. Both comedians were asked the same questions. See them below, read them and let them help you pick the theme of your evening…
Jason Byrne
The Special Eye Tour, Almas Tower, JLT. Tickets available at McGettigans’s www.mcgettigans.ie
Who is he? Award-winning Irish comedian.
A past review: “The first half of Jason Byrne’s show had the audience barely drawing breathe, his introduction immediately got the vast McEwan Hall on side with Byrne and five blokes down the front bouncing around on space-hoppers” – irishpost.co.uk
When did you realise you wanted to be a comedian?
When I was born with clown hair and long feet. I’m afraid there was no looking back then, it was either be a clown or a hobbit hairdresser.
What does you family think about your profession?
My family are in the business anyway, my dad built sets for Hairspray and Jersey Boys and has been for years. Patrice Byrne is his name. My mum was a professional trampolinist, so they fully supported me. When I see them they are so busy building and bouncing.
Most annoying assumption about being a comedian?
That people think we’re funny cooks. I get it all the time: “Hey Jason why don’t you come to our house and do some funny cooking?” And I’m like: “Hey, whatever, just cause I use sausages as smiles.”
What’s been the hardest part in your journey to becoming a successful comedian?
I was sent to Tibet by a TV station once. I had to hike for two days to get to a monastery where the monks had started the first ever monk stand up club. It was amazing but far to travel to, and the crowd where silent monks, so they just smiled instead of laughed.
What’s your favourite comedy and why?
Grey’s Anatomy. It’s nonstop laughs. My favourite bit is when they’re all joking while operating. Comedy genius.
What’s your all-time favourite one liner?
From Ardal O’Hanlon on Father Ted. Man to a large lady at a bus stop: “When are you due?” Lady: “I’m not pregnant.” Man: “No, I mean your next meal.”
Most embarrassing experience you’ve had on stage?
I was in Spain when a member of the audience was heckling me’ I said to him: “Shut up ye donkey.” But the laugh was on me when the lights went up and he was actually sitting on a donkey at the back of the room.
If you weren’t a comedian, what would do for a living?
A banana bender.
The best and worst thing about being a comedian?
The best, getting free bras in the post, and the worst, being asked to do funny cooking.
Funniest picture on your phone?
No comment.
Omid Djalili
Omid Djalli Live Stand Up Show, Sheikh Zayed Road, World Trade Centre. Tickets available at dubai.platinumlist.net
Who is he? An award-winning British-Iranian actor/comedian.
A past review: “Omid Djalili starts his new set by butting in, unseen, over the standard pre-recorded Assembly Rooms safety warning, suggesting that the room is a death trap and in the event of a fire we’re all doomed anyway.
It’s a great little opening, and one that establishes a thread of characteristically good-natured subversiveness that runs through the entire show. For if Djalili is by now a Fringe veteran, and enjoys the unshakable ability to control a room that that epithet suggests, his appetite for mischief is thankfully as keen as ever” – telegraph.co.uk
When did you realise you wanted to be a comedian?
Is that what people think I am? A comedian? I’m really a motivational speaker. The jokes are just there to enhance the points I’m trying to raise.
What does your family think about your profession?
They are inspired and have all signed up for my Life Coaching The Omid Way seminars.
Most annoying assumption about being a comedian?
People don’t realise I’m actually very serious.
What has been the hardest part in your journey to becoming a successful comedian?
People thinking I’m a comedian and not a motivational speaker.
What’s your favourite comedy and why?
Anything with Anthony Robbins. He’s 87 years old but looks 30.
What’s your all-time favourite one liner?
“Velcro. What a rip off” by Nelson Mandela.
Most embarrassing experience you’ve had on stage?
Someone shouting: “Tell us a joke!” when I’m in the middle of curing a lady from early menopause through quiet hypnosis.
If you weren’t a comedian, what would do for a living?
Ha! You’re funny! If you mean if I wasn’t a motivational speaker what would I do for a living? Well I’d probably go into public relations or publicity and marketing. I’m very good at selling myself.
The best and worst thing about being a comedian?
Well, you’d probably have to ask a comedian that question. But as I’m a naturally empathetic person I would assume the best thing would be bringing joy and laughter into people’s lives and in doing so heal the wounds of your own childhood. As for the worst thing, that would be people leaving in droves when you’re trying to heal a woman of premature menopause through quiet hypnosis.
Funniest picture on your phone?
See below.
