More Feelingsis out March 23 on HBO.
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Ramy Youssefhas been writing comedy about Israel and Palestine for years.
Im horny, so Im trying to justify it, he says.
This is the Star of David.
Its just Jewish … Big.
Yo, bro, where you at with … Hamas?
Youssef is defiant: Where Im at?
… Are we fucking?
His tone turns serious.
You think any of us like what happened?
We hate seeing people die.
It made me cry.
The audience interrupts him, breaking into applause.
Youssef returns to the conversation with his friend: You know me.
You think Im Hamas?
Bro, Im a Taliban guy.
I would start by saying, Im not sure were supposed to be here.
This has been really hard.
Theres so much generational trauma.
Were all sorting through a lot of feelings.
Its why my stand-up has always been calledFeelings,because this is a space to do that.
And then Id talk about this phone call I had with a friend and get into that joke.
At a certain point, it became clear that I could just get into the joke part of it.
Then very quickly I would get into the joke.
Its a few people who were close to me and people who werent.
Whats going on over there?And then they asked these questions that were shocking.
I fully understand that point of view.
But I had that little extra thing in me thats probably from my parents, who are really gracious.
My dad was a hotel manager, and his whole thing was You got to make people feel good.
You have to take care of people.
So I just say, Okay, Im feeling upset.
Im feeling wild that I even have to explain this to you.
But also, I have the space to talk about it.
And with the hope that that could be an offering.
The bottom of the question is You think I might like this?
You think theres a chance I think terrorisms cool?
The joke is set up that way and then takes the other turn, which is just classic comedy.
How did you approach the non-joke part of the joke, when you allow yourself to get claps?
Did you think,This is worth it because then it really sets up the joke?
Or,This is worth it because I want to say this?Its both.
Its funny because its sincere in my mind.
I have room for all these feelings, and I want to talk to you about it.
But also,Fuck you,you know?
There is nothing on earth that isnt sitting in some crazy duality.
And thats my relationship with my friends.
Its my relationship with my audience.
Its what makes it funny.
Was the punch line always Taliban?We piloted other groups.
Wait, really?No, no, no.
It was always Taliban.
The joke in and of itself creates the problem youre trying to avoid.
And Jon did that so well.
Im also not going to do that.
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