Omid Djalili: Namaste
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What stereotypes does Omid Djalili challenge about being the son of a kebab‑shop owner?
I'm Amit Jalili and this is Namas Day. There's a lot going on in the world right now. And so much of the so called discourse and dialogue that we hear is getting angrier and more intense and more divided. But anger itself isn't necessarily a bad thing. It all depends on how we use it. In this series, we'll be looking at everything from identity, war, online outrage. And how a sense of community might save us all.
This week I'm looking at stereotypes in an episode that for completely unrelated reasons I'm calling short fat kebab shop owner son. In the uh interests of peaceful beginnings, I'd like to start with the traditional Iranian way. Okay, so are you well? Uh yeah, happy. Are you up for some joy and laughter? And that is why the West must be destroyed! I love scaring white people. I love just walking into a random building going, Alock You should have seen the surgeon's face. He nearly dropped the kidney. It was amazing. But I also want to thank my producer, said to I said, Look, Sasha, I've never done a radio show. And you know what? I'm really worried because all I've ever done in my career, I've been around for thirty years now.
Thirty years, ladies and gentlemen, isn't that That she is. And Sometimes when I look back I think I all I've done is really perpetuate Middle Eastern stereotypes and I really don't want to do it for a radio full crowd, so how should I be? And she put her hand on my shoulder 'cause omid Seriously, just be yourself. So I sold her a carpet. And two kilograms of Afghan heroin. Uh which is Something she really appreciated, so
The planet is in a real state. Right now we see war, confusion, raging breaking heat, anger, violence, death and desolation, and that's just my Pilates for Fattis class. Now, anger, anger is in itself not a bad thing. It's the emotion we feel when we see injustice, that feeling that we want things to be better, to change things, to improve the quality of our lives. And it's really about how you use it. How do I filter my anger? I put it into my namaste catalytic converter. Where the anger goes through a process of analysis, ultimately see if it sprouts thoughts and ideas that are either useful, timely, or of service to the world. And if what comes out the other end is something funny or interesting or beautiful, I'll share it.
Now I'd like to hear from some of my audience. I asked you guys some questions on the way in. The question here is, what do you think of when you hear the name Ami Jalili? Uh one answer here is chicken tikka masala. You do understand I'm not Pakistani or Indian What do you think of when you hear the name Amidjalili? An expensive rug. Now I don't know how they know, but yes, I am hairy. So someone else said what do you think of Major Lily? I love that woman. What happened to her? Last one is uh what do you think of when you hear the name Amy Jalili? Fat, balding git like me.
Ha ha ha ha.
Madam, please don't don't talk yourself down.
How does Omid turn his anger into a “Namaste catalytic converter” for comedy?
That's not right. Now you're gonna hear some very big opinions tonight and uh we should really talk about Where where do our opinions come from? First of all, you your your faith. Maybe you're maybe you're a Christian or a Jew or a Muslim. I was born and raised as a Baha'i. The Baha'i faith believes that the earth is one country, mankind its citizens. All religions are different chapters of the same book, and each individual is a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Which goes against my own personal belief that the majority of all people everywhere are thick as pig shit. But also nationality. Nationality is a very big thing because we're we're all subject to filters. Me too. I'm a British Iranian. I have filters as well.
And people say, what does that mean? As a British Iranian, I can tell you this full disclosure, half of me has a natural, you know, suspicion and hatred for anything American. Okay, I'll be clear. And the other half, exactly the same. Exactly the same. It's very difficult for me as an Iranian to travel. I was in America when there was a terrible terrorist attack and I gave my passport at passport control.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What stereotypes does Omid Djalili challenge about being the son of a kebab‑shop owner?
0:06–4:14
2
How does Omid turn his anger into a “Namaste catalytic converter” for comedy?
4:14–7:46
3
What do audience members think of when they hear the name Ami Jalili?
7:46–10:41
4
How does Omid describe being a minority within a minority and its impact on his identity?
10:41–14:21
5
What Iranian cultural values (hospitality and “abat”) does he share with the audience?
14:21–17:38
6
Why was Omid’s TV career cancelled after 9/11 and how did the Royal Variety performance revive it?
17:38–20:08
7
How does he use Star Trek’s vision of unity to illustrate a hopeful future?
20:08–23:31
8
What is the final takeaway about stereotypes, anger and humanity in this episode?
23:31–27:41