'Most stand-ups do their best work when they're young'

Mamoun Elagab shares his comedy favourites

Mamoun Elagab brings his debut stand-up show to the Edinburgh Fringe next week, performing Why I Love White People at Pleasance Courtyard at 6.10pm from Wednesday. Here he shares some of his comedy favourites.

Everybody Hates Chris

It’s just a story about a black kid who was the black sheep of his family and whose teenage years are just a car crash. I was also quite inspired by Chris Rock, because the series shows how he discovers his passion for stand-up, so it gave me a lot of hope and excitement. Go Chris Rock! And I hope he’s recovered from that slap...

Dave Chappelle: Killin' Em Softly

Dave Chappelle at 27 years of age, before his recent controversies.

I think most stand-up comics do their best work when they are young and on the come-up. They’re hungry for success.

I don't like many stand-up comedians as they don’t make me laugh out loud, and if you don’t make me laugh out loud then I don’t consider you funny.

I also again think Dave Chappelle’s background feels kind of similar to mine and gave him mass appeal that I hope to emulate.

Seinfeld

I like the nihilist side of it. I prefer it to Friends which seems more fake.

I feel the need to compare these two because of their similar structures. Seinfeld just seems to show the miserable reality of life and in my opinion is much funnier as a result! Friends and its obsession with true love and friendship is just ridiculous.

Boondocks

Some readers may not have heard of this. It's a satirical African-American adult cartoon. It is unique to have that kind of black satire, and is definitely enjoyable for us in the black community who have our own subculture in society. Not for everyone but those who like it, love it.

George Carlin, any special

I’m very impressed by this guy, both as a comic and as a thinker. His stuff really had an influence on me, by not just being funny but also highlighting his ideas. It’s the hardest kind of stand to do if you ask me.

Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor and the all the greats

They created this for us and if it wasn’t for them, stand-up comedians would all just be annoying funny people working in offices, with no hope of a comedy career and no opportunities to perform to strangers and offer them an escape from their miserable lives…