Interview: Jack Dee on his 2022 Off The Telly tour at Dubai Opera

Jack Dee will be bringing laughs aplenty to Dubai Opera with his headline performance on Wednesday January 19, as part of his Off The Telly tour.

Known for his quick wit and wry humour, his boundary-pushing brand of British comedy has seen him reach legend status on the comedy circuit.

The gag master last performed in Dubai back in 2015, but he’s been pretty busy since.

Dee is the star of howl-inducing sitcoms such as Bad Move, Lead Balloon and Josh, not to mention his numerous television appearances on the likes of ITV’s Saturday Night and Live At The Apollo. To top it all off, he recently released his very own jocular self-help book, What Is Your Problem?.

Time Out Dubai caught up with Dee to get up to speed as he talks controversial comedy, tough love and absurdities of everyday life, ahead of his headline performance.

What can fans expect from your Dubai show at Dubai Opera?

“I hope they have a great evening. I started touring in 2018 but for reasons beyond everyone’s control the tour was halted in 2020, and so I had to rewrite and start all over again. But that’s okay, I do that a lot. In the meantime I wrote a book [What’s Your Problem?] then I got back on the road with my revamped show, which I have now been touring since the end of August last year.”

Do you feel as though it’s harder for comedians these days?

“I tend to always go against the [traditional] views of things and I think that the audience that come and see me have always understood that, that I am not going to be parroting popular opinions. I come up with my own views of things regardless of how they might land with an audience. Important criteria for me is that they have to be funny and then I think you can say what you want, people don’t have to agree with me, but if they find it funny then they are going to be happy that I am up there doing it. After all, it is a comedy show.”

Do you feel like your willingness to go where others won’t resonates with your fans?

“When you say something that might be controversial, there’s always an element where the audience are not only enjoying it because you’ve made it funny but there’s almost a sharp intake of breath that someone has said it. That I have articulated something that might not be an acceptable thing to say in polite company. And I do think that is what comedians do. We are meant to be the court jesters after all.”

We hear you are a bit of an agony uncle these days. Tell us more?

“I had a TV show that was linked to various events such as elections and the referendum that we had in Britain and it was where members of the public could come into the studio and ask my panel a question and I would field those questions. That gave the publisher the idea that I should write a book about it. So that was it. The concept of it was that I was going to be an agony uncle and give some tough-love, home truths-type advice which is what the book [What Is Your Problem?] is full of. People talk about people needing a metaphorical hug, well this is a metaphorical slap around the face and me telling people to pull themselves together and stop whinging.”

Could you share some pearls of wisdom with Time Out Dubai readers?

“Look around you, watch the news, if you are that fed up with your situation. Look at what is going on in really awful parts of the world. Seize the moment, this is not new advice but enjoy the day and be grateful for what you have got and take full responsibility for everything you can in your life and things can get better.”

Any New Year’s Resolutions?

“I’m not really a big fan of New Year’s resolutions but last year Jane, my wife, challenged me to not buy any clothes for a year. In fact we were both going to do it. And I think she made it until the end of January, but I actually did the whole year. But it’s quite interesting what that does to you because it sort of resets your mind to thinking, if you need a new shirt, maybe I’ll fix the old one. I am glad I did that and I think that it has been a positive influence on me and how I view, even things like shopping and so I don’t think of it like a recreational thing. Now I just buy things that are essential.”

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What have you got planned for your time in Dubai?

“I am only there [in Dubai] for two whole days and it is a fascinating place and I don’t know it. I have only been there once before for a similarly short period of time. If I get the opportunity I might try and find some of the older parts of Dubai. There’s a documentary on at the moment that is about Dubai but it tends to focus on the uber-rich people in Dubai. I mean there are other parts of Dubai that I would quite like to look at if I get the chance.”

“I find cities fascinating, I am more of a city person than a countryside person. And I think that’s because I find human life more interesting than wildlife and so I am very much at home in cities and I love to look around and explore. I’m non-judgmental and I think they are incredible places.”

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What can fans expect from you in 2022?

“My shows are always what I would describe as a rolling review of my life as it is in the moment but also of life as it is for all of us. Of course there will be discussion of Covid, climate change and there’s quite often some politics and generally the absurdities of everyday life which seems to be the thing that really stimulates the material for me every time I sit down and write.”

So, tell us more about your Dubai show?

“I hope just people will come to the show and really enjoy it. I have a friend of mine called Jake Lambert coming, he does the first half of the show. A really good young comedian who has been doing the support for me on my British tour and then you get me on the second half for an extended set and I think it makes for a good evening. It will be fun, it has been very popular around Britain and I have every reason to think it will be popular with people who choose to come to the show in Dubai as well. I really hope they will.”

From Dhs195 (tickets are available via Dubai Opera, Platinum List and Virgin Megastores). Wed Jan 19, 8pm onwards. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai, Dubai, dubaiopera.com (04 440 8888).