Names are very important...

From his BBC One show

More Omid Djalili videos

CV

Original Review:

A brilliantly barnstorming act, Djalili cheerfully subverts stereotypes in a dazzling, high-octane performance.

This Anglo-Iranian comic initially plays up to the image of the scary, manic, Westerner-hating Middle Easterner but with more phlegm - and more gags.

But then he'll flip things around, toying with audience expectations, parodying English middle classes as cleverly as the Middle Eastern stereotype. And there are plenty of self-referential asides about the easy laugh of a zany Middle Eastern accent to defuse any cynicism.

Sometimes the gags don't match this tremendous natural energy, but his knowing shtick of 'a laugh, a song, a fundamentalist diatribe against Western imperialism' is generally a triumph - and you get to see a fat man disco dance or belly dance, depending on his mood.

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Omid's back on tour, hoorah! He's in a class of his own, been making me laugh and think for years now. Lovely bloke and lovely material.

Michael Monkhouse, March 2013

I have seen his stuff on the tv and thought that he is definitely one of the greatest comedians of our time, though i have not seen him live, it is my hope that i may do so in the near future.

Matthew Sharp, August 2010

My last comment I was still on a rush from his Montreal appearance! Since then my passion's dwindled somewhat. Omid has some superb lines, it's just a shame he repeats them in a way that'd make Jack Dee blush. And his telly stuff's quite up to standard, but as Jo Brand demonstrated sketches ain't always the forté of the stand-up, even though they fill up the show... Still a class act though.

Michael Monkhouse, July 2008

Adore this guy. Fast, funny, witty... One minute he's prancing around, the next he's making intelligent comments on important political issues. Brilliant stuff.

Michael Monkhouse, January 2008

Recently attended a recording of Omid's new show and was left rather unimpressed. I fail to see why Mister Djalili was so keen for his own BBC show when he appears to be using it solely as a platform for stand-up material which he's already aired several times on the same channel. The sketches were often self-indulgent and repetitive, and almost all the material was stuff he's been using for years now. You could tell he didn't enjoy the recording, and he told us, straight facedly, we'd been a crap audience - which left a bad taste. Saw Omid live last year and loved him, but can't say as I'm looking forward to the series.

Charles Thomson, August 2007

Don't knock what you can't beat. Omid is not only a lovely guy, but an ever-growing and recognised talent. His live comedy is awesome. Watch him when he improvises. Truly a master. Next year's plans are exciting. He is always drawn back to his first love, stand-up, but his talent means that now everyone wants a piece of him. And why box in a genius?

A Friend, August 2006

Was at Omid's TV recording at the BBC the other night and though the sketch and stand up genre is beneath him he breathed new life into it in a way that the likes of Ben Elton and Lenny Henry killed it. Let's hope the BBC give him a series so we can be saved from the useless fare they have at the moment.

James Douglas, June 2006

Exceptionally funny and moving. This show is an attitude changer - wow.

Caron, March 2006

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