Creator and host of Comedy Central's This Is Not Happening has come to the Fringe to deliver an hour of comedy to a perhaps unsuspecting audience. American comedian Ari Shaffir is a no-holds-barred comedian, who sees "the line" as something to observe in the rear-view mirror.
If you are easily offended, this will not be the show for you. Topics included, but aren't limited to; abortions, the holocaust, school shootings, drugs, and STD's. Transsexuals and homosexuals are not let off the hook, nor are the Jewish community, of which Shaffir is a part. Given this, his jokes about Anne Frank are particularly cause for a moment of consideration before laughing.
One thing that I've noticed, this year in particular, is how many comedians are talking about Tinder, and more frustratingly, asking us if we know what it is. This is the swipe right generation, nearly everyone is going to know what it is. I didn't think anything original would come from this line of comedy – I was wrong, but equally, a single tear formed for the state of humanity.
His American humour has translated well for the UK, by which I mean, it isn't stereotypical American comedy, but something that appears to be more tailored to the cynical and self-depreciating Great British public. He even specifically makes reference to this every time he translates an Americanism to the British equivalent.
I enjoyed Ari Shaffir for what it was, an hour of good comedy, mixed with plenty of moments that made you feel slightly uncomfortable. There was nothing wrong with the show, or the material so to speak, but there was nothing that will really blow you away.
* * * * *
Ari Shaffir: Ari S-P-E-C-T is performing at Heroes @ The Hive. Tickets and more information are available here.
Thanks for a great review Tom!