Last Comic Standing

More Papa CJ videos

An Oxford-educated comic from Calcutta who took up comedy late in 2004, Papa CJ’s material revolves around his experiences as an Indian in the UK.

He quickly became a successful regular at the Gong Show at the Comedy Store, and in 2005 was a finalist in the Laughing Horse new act competition.

Outside of comedy, he has scaled an 18,000ft peak in the Himalayas, trekked into the Grand Canyon, flown paragliders and jumped out of an airplane. He also started the charity One Child, which helps educate children in rural areas of India.

Papa CJ: Slumdog Comedian
Live Review

If you do not think it is acceptable to stereotype people based on where they come from, if you think that jokes about Indians working in call centres or newsagents are both hackneyed and borderline racist, if you like your comedy to have lots of laughs then Slumdog Comedian is not the show for you.

Papa CJ has been traveling the world performing comedy based on his upbringing and life in Calcutta and not only are his exploits incredibly dull, the way he presents them is on the verge of being hateful, stating at one point that Indians are better than Chinese people because the Indian kids wear the shoes that the Chinese children make in the sweatshops. If he had aimed for his intonation for this particular gag to be anything other than smug and serious, he failed.

As he ploughs through his material he excuses the lack of laughs by pointing out that we are not getting the jokes. We are getting them fine, they’re just not funny. The performance is hindered further when a few well intentioned heckles leave Papa CJ at a loss for words, freely admitting that the biggest laugh of the show is provided by a young man in the front row.

It is very clear that CJ truly believes his own hype and is not shy about pointing out all of the fantastic gigs he has played in all the interesting places, making sure to mention he was in the American reality TV show Last Comic Standing – not quite so quick to point out that he didn’t even get as far as the public vote.

There is a pomposity about this man that jars the nerves, a smug self-satisfaction that dominates his writing and leads to material that is derogatory and in some instances cruel. This attitude and confidence is so far removed from the basic and amateurish nonsense that he spouts.

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It was really fucking awesome! I really enjoyed his show.

vidhya, March 2008

I think he's racist and I believe that anyone else pulling a stunt like that would be prosecuted, political correctness gone out of the window, I think it's rude, crude and just plain derogatory to a nation, I do not know how a predominately white audience can sit there and laugh at this guy!

Agitated Ginger, January 2008

Thoroughly enjoyed this guy.

shikha, December 2007

A fucking hilarious dude! Liked the one-of-a-kind attitude.

Shrijit, October 2007

I just happened to see one of his videos on YouTube while searching for good standup comedians & to tell you guys the truth far from being just impressed, this guy totally mesmerised me. Who cares if its a little racist. Being an Indian i truly enjoyed the pun. Am sure that this guy has a really bright future ahead of him.ahead & i wish him all the luck in the world.

sahaa menon, August 2007

Saw Papa CJ at Jongleurs in Bow last night. He was by far the best performer of the night. Very very funny indeed.

George Harris, July 2006

A great performer, with alot of funny bones! Has real comic talent. Gonna go far

Lateef Lovejoy, April 2006

I think he deserves all the competition awards he goes for! His joke/laugh rate is unbelievable. Papa is by far one of the best new comics on the circuit. His material is sometimes a little close to racist but take Omid Djalili, Stephen K Amos, Junior Simpson & Gina Yashere and all the other good Black/Indian/Iranian/Muslim/Chinese etc comics, they all do it and Papa does it really well. He will be right up there with these names in no time at all!

Amy H, April 2006

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