Stavvy's World #161 - Kumail Nanjiani
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Dec 29, 2025 Kumail Nanjiani, a Pakistani-American comedian and actor known for his work in The Big Sick and Silicon Valley, chats about his new stand-up special, Night Thoughts. He discusses returning to comedy after a ten-year hiatus, his unexpected Marvel experience, and the challenges of being a jacked guy without the typical vibe. Kumail shares insights on his early career, the influence of the Chicago alt scene, and the evolving landscape of Hollywood, as well as offering advice to callers navigating friendship fallout and family boundaries.
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Early Stand‑Up Breakthrough
- Kumail remembers discovering stand-up early and obsessively following alt-comics while working odd jobs in college.
- He describes opening for Zach Galifianakis and touring, which launched his move into the alt scene.
Why He Left And Came Back
- Kumail stopped doing stand-up for a decade because acting and other work satisfied him creatively.
- He returned during the actor-writer strike to reconnect with the raw, gritty essence of stand-up.
Write For Laugh Density
- Write jokes with dense laugh‑economy: short setups, many punchlines and tags to work all room types.
- Train to perform well in both alt and club rooms by tightening setups and increasing laugh density.