Photo by Bahareh Ritter
Yemeni-American comedian Ahmed Al-kadri begins his debut comedy special, Special Not Special, with a sketch poking fun at the idea that somehow his new recorded hour is not a comedy special because it is self-funded and will be available on YouTube. This lo-fi bit serves as the perfect introduction for viewers as it highlights Al-kadri’s affable charm and modest self-deprecation both of which are on display throughout the 45-minute set.
Much of the show, which was recorded in Washington, D.C., finds Al-kadri balancing his knack for creating light-hearted, silly jokes about taboo topics with personal storytelling about growing-up in an immigrant household in Dallas, TX. Whether he’s joking about his first time celebrating Christmas with his roommate’s family or brainstorming ideas for the brown man equivalent to “once you go black you never go back,” the comedian creates a space where everyone can feel comfortable to laugh about cultural differences and similarities.
Experiencing a glorious Lizzo concert while high on copious amounts of mushrooms and losing weight on what he refers to as the “Ramadan diet” are other topics that inspire laughter. Al-kadri also finds hilarity in his own duality as a former drug dealer who was also a cat foster.
In a statement about the special, Al-kadri explained, “The motivation behind this special stems from a desire to bridge cultural gaps through laughter. Comedy has a remarkable ability to transcend boundaries and connect people on a human level. Writing this material involved mining my own life for humorous anecdotes, embracing vulnerability, and finding the universal truths in the specifics of my experiences.”
Al-kadri, who is based in L.A. where he has been doing stand-up comedy since 2018, certainly succeeds in his quest to bridge cultural gaps. Not only does he inspire laughter at every turn, he also sets the stage for an opportunity to connect through the power of comedy.
Special Not Special will be available via YouTube on Feb. 24. More information about Ahmed Al-kadri can be found at Ahmedlovesbread.com and be sure to follow him on Instagram at @ahmedlovesbread.