Comedians unite different political views
Jeff Tripoli
May 1, 2007
Aspiring to unify diverse political ideas can be a challenge.
For two comedians, achieving that goal is a laughing matter.
[HTML_REMOVED]Standup for Peace
Tonight, 7 p.m.
HUB North Den
Free
[HTML_REMOVED]Jewish comedian Scott Blakeman and Palestinian-American comedian Dean Obeidallah, the duo performing in Standup for Peace, don't see their show as a political forum, but rather a lighthearted look at current events.
Standup for Peace, sponsored in part by Hillel UW and the Arab Student Organization, will take place in the HUB tonight and will touch on political issues, but the duo said they seek to relate to everyone. As such, much of the humor will be largely non-controversial.
"My humor's not [just] for a Jewish audience, and Dean's humor isn't just for Palestinians," Blakeman said. "We're both proud of who we are, and the point of the show is to bring everybody together."
Blakeman and Obeidallah, who have performed separately and together for several years, have made a variety of individual appearances on cable and network television as well as movie cameos.
Standup for Peace is largely aimed at a college audience.
"One of the reasons we do mostly college shows is because older people have their minds set," Blakeman said. "By seeing the show, we hope to at least open [college students'] eyes a little bit."
Sarah Lawson, the coordinator of the show from Hillel UW, believes the performance will help to further unify the campus Jewish and Palestinian populations.
"We have a very active campus in that there is a lot of global awareness," Lawson said. "We've been working very hard to have a bridge. I just [think Standup for Peace] will be reaffirming."
Standup for Peace aims to unify those with political differences through laughter, Blakeman said. The show is comedy, not an analysis of the Middle East or a lecture.
"As far as I know, Dean and I agree on just about everything," Blakeman said. "We believe in a two-state solution, peace and not violence. ... All the same, when you see people in a room together, laughing, you realize ... there's no reason we can't get along."
Reach reporter Jeff Tripoli at news@thedaily.washington.edu.
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