![]() ![]() I saw how the rules of the PC culture that seem to be policing our social media accounts and comedy content never really stood a chance when it came to Ari Shaffir and I truly believe that his personal struggles with faith actually rescued him from the proverbial cave of shadows and forced him to see the world, for better or worse, for what it really is. He could have used his gift for performing to captivate temples full of faithful followers with insightful, entertaining sermons but alas, he had other plans and as Ari stood on stage telling funny, personal stories and sharing revelations into the religion he once followed, truths and insights into his own evolution started to unravel and I began to understand why he refuses to conform. I tried to imagine what he’d be like as a rabbi and came to the conclusion that if that was what he had wanted to do with his life, he would’ve been amazing at it. Ari Shaffir was raised in an extremely strict Orthodox Jewish household and even spent several years at a yeshiva in Israel studying to be a rabbi. “Ari Shaffir: Jew” is so much more than a comedy special, it’s also his origin story. Truth be told, I would choose to see Ari play The Stand over the Skirball Center any day of the week! I love that place so much! After catching up with these people I care about and respect, I headed downstairs for the show. The Stand comedy club swooped in and saved the day! These guys opened their doors so his sold out show “Ari Shaffir: Jew” was able to go on and I was there to see it! Within moments of walking into The Stand I was greeted by a glass of my favorite beer and a sea of familiar faces including my buddies Mike Harrington and Sam, comedians Sherrod Small, Derek Gaines, Aaron Berg, Mike Vecchione and one of the club owners and biggest fans of comedy I know, Cris Italia. Yet, somehow, due to the recent outrage he’s encountered over a posthumous tweet he made about Kobe Bryant, Ari Shaffir has had his life seriously threatened, his comedic abilities questioned and the filming of his hour special cancelled.īig thanks go out to Cris Italia, Paul Italia, Patrick Milligan and their unwavering support of comedy and comedians. In addition to all of this, Ari Shaffir is also one of the last generations of Comedy Store trained artists to have worked their way up through the ranks of that iconic institution under the personal direction of Mitzi Shore, which in and of itself is an extremely impressive accomplishment. ![]() Although I love it, this introspective and philosophical side to Ari doesn’t define him either and on the completely opposite end of the spectrum, he’s also one of the best at celebrating comedy through physical or obliquitous means like streaking off stage on The Goddamn Comedy Jam at Skankfest or by trolling his friends through devious, elaborate pranks, roast eulogies and foul and repugnant birthday gifts. Not to mention he also records intros and “outros” for each interview that are reminiscent of Fire Side Chats. He’s recorded 379 episodes of “Skeptic Tank” and throughout each of the many episodes I’ve listened to, he’s approached every subject matter and every guest with respect, thoughtful questions and the cohesive thread of humor to tie them all together. He also hosts one of my favorite podcasts, “Skeptic Tank” on which he interviews guests and dives into issues and topics as sensitive as raising a baby with a serious medical condition, surviving the Holocaust, growing up in foster care, and the life long struggles of addiction and depression. These talents have earned him both the Netflix special “Double Negative” and the Comedy Central storytelling show “This is Not Happening” and his comedic prowess doesn’t end there. He has the chops to write and work out brilliantly structured jokes but can also engage his audience and take them on a journey through his storytelling ability. Ari cannot be defined by one style or facet of comedy because he literally does it all. To his adoring fans Ari Shaffir is known as one of the most creative, funny, yet ruthlessly savage comedians in the business.
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