Powerful and provocative British stand-up comedian, Nish Kumar, talks about his creative process for his debut special, dealing with a bread roll incident that caused a media frenzy, and re-evaluating mental health. They also discuss making serious things funny, the rise of The Mash Report, and comedic writing challenges. They touch on structuring comedy shows, the perception of comedians, and memorable moments from past shows. The podcast wraps up with gratitude and reflections on the festival experience.
Nish emphasizes the importance of delivering a great show to his audience and feeling a sense of responsibility in comedy.
Nish discusses his journey in incorporating political comedy into his routine and its resonance with the audience.
The Mash Report brought online engagement and controversy, reflecting its impact and ability to provoke discussions.
Nish finds cathartic release and connection with the audience during his shows as their anger aligns with his own.
Nish maintains authenticity in addressing serious subjects while balancing his political views, being a buzzkill, and his persona as a big child.
Deep dives
The Comedy Special and Responsibility
Nish discusses the release of his comedy special and the responsibility he feels to deliver a great show to his audience.
The Power of Political Comedy
Nish recalls his journey in incorporating political comedy into his stand-up routine and how it resonates with the audience.
The Mash Report and Online Engagement
Nish talks about his experience with The Mash Report and how the show generated online engagement and controversy.
Connecting with the Audience and Catharsis
Nish reflects on the connection and cathartic release that occurs during his shows, where the audience's anger aligns with his own.
Nish Kumar discusses his career and latest show
Nish Kumar reflects on how he has developed his comedic style, emphasizing that he can address serious subjects while maintaining his authentic self. He discusses the interplay between his political views, the concept of being a buzzkill, and his persona as a big child. Nish also shares insights into crafting his latest show, which delves into a traumatic experience and touches on his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. He talks about the process of refining the show and the challenges of balancing emotional truth with comedy.
Nish Kumar's admiration for other comedians
Nish Kumar shares his admiration for various comedians, including Daniel Kitson, Mike Birbiglia, Garth Marenghi, and Chris Morris. He discusses the importance of observing different comedic styles and highlights the impact that some comedians have had on his own work. Nish also reflects on the decline of certain comedians whose comedic craft has suffered due to an increase in cruelty and surface-level engagement with their material.
Nish Kumar's love for comedy clubs and tours
Nish Kumar discusses his enjoyment of performing at comedy clubs and touring. He reminisces about the social aspect of comedy clubs and the excitement of being a stand-up comedian. Nish highlights that, despite his success in television and tours, he still values and appreciates the experience of performing in comedy clubs and connecting with other comedians.
Highlights of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Stuart Goldsmith shares his highlights of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, including performances by Ruben Kay, Nabil Abdul Rashid, Huge Davies, and many more. He expresses his enthusiasm for the talent and quality of the shows he witnessed and mentions his intention to invite some of these performers to appear on his podcast in the future.
Nish Kumar's reflection on the trying nature of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Stuart Goldsmith shares his brother's observation that the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a trying festival, highlighting the collective striving and effort put forth by performers to express themselves and make an impact. He appreciates the festival as a space where artists can try new material, challenge themselves, and ultimately grow as performers.
Conclusion
Nish Kumar's podcast episode touches on various topics, including his comedic style, admiration for other comedians, love for comedy clubs and touring, highlights of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the trying nature of the festival itself. He provides insights into his latest show and navigating the delicate balance between emotional truth and comedy.
Nish Kumar is one of the most powerful and provocative voices in British stand-up comedy, and his debut special “Your Power, Your Control” is streaming now on Sky On Demand & Now TV, for those in the UK & Ireland. He returns to the podcast to talk in depth about the creative process behind the writing of that show, the inciting incident in which a bread roll was thrown at him at a charity gig, and how that led to a media frenzy, terrifying death threats, and ultimately a total re-evaluation of his mental health.
We talk about making serious things funny, and the phenomenal rise of The Mash report, as well as “Birbiglifying”, “Frankensteining”, and phantom pooping…
23mins of extras exclusively available to members of the Insiders Club include Nish on his therapy journey, writing topical stuff for The Mash Report, and the rollercoaster of creating a stand-up show, from first scribblings to the marathon of the Fringe.
Catch up with Nish:
Nish’s first stand up special is streaming NOW on Sky On Demand & Now TV for those in the UK & Ireland.
Find live dates as well as podcast community links, social media handles and comedy clips, and Stu’s official YouTube channel, all at linktr.ee/stuartgoldsmith
Or join the mailing list for unspecified freebies at:
Stu offers remote and in-person talks to business, distilling insights from over 400 comics on cultivating resilience and the ability to bounce back, to all levels from C-suite to team members.
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