Omid Djalili has said comedy is “one of the last bastions of truth” in the age of polarised discourse and artificial intelligence.
The comedian, 60, who has a new four-part stand-up special on Radio 4, described the world as feeling louder, angrier and stranger than ever.
He said: “Much of what we see online is AI. So many posts are created specifically to make discourse more polarised. But thankfully comedy is one of the last bastions of truth.
“Comedians by and large wish to only either entertain, inform or elevate. Doing all three is a challenge but it’s a good test to set yourself – such noble intentions will always yield good and juicy fruits.
In his new special, Namaste, Djalili explores how people’s lives can be shaped by stereotypes.
He said: “All too often human beings think in boxes. Sometimes we have narrow frames of reference so we can’t really compute what has actually happened and how to react to it.
“Stereotypes are broad stroke frames of reference to make us understand the world.
“Which is why the most persistent misconception about me is that I am Alexei Sayle or Stavros Flatley, two bald overweight middle-aged men. This is not upsetting. I accept it with dignity and grace.”
Djalili also explores how anger has become a form of entertainment on social media.
He said: “Anger or any type of feeling is key to the human experience and as a starting point I’m always guided by my emotions.
“I have a filter system which refines any particular thought I have before I present it in a clear and coherent way.
“And therein lies the challenge for any comedian, new or not so new. The principle is always being guided by one question: will this thought be a positive contribution to the discourse or is it just adding to the noise?”
Djalili is also an actor and has appeared in films including The Mummy, Gladiator and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Omid Djalili: Namaste begins on September 10 at 6.30pm on BBC Radio 4, with episodes also available on BBC Sounds.
