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Yes. And a pretty good one! I practiced law for 20 years, sometimes part-time and other times, full time. I was a partner at a law firm. I argued before current a Supreme Court justice and had a case against Johnny Cochran’s law firm. I have a lot of accolades as a lawyer and didn’t leave because I was burned out. I wasn’t fired either (even though I jokingly say I was on stage sometimes). I was pretty good. As a result of being a lawyer, I am often asked about the state of the world and my thoughts. And I still consider myself an expert on law, especially Federal Law and government, which is what I specialized in and majored in for college and law school. When non-lawyers spew their talking points from media or their favorite podcast it’s frustrating. They don’t understand the nuances of the law and repeat things they heard. I feel for doctors feel when they hear people condesceding tell them about vaccines and the risks of Tylenol. Or athlete and coaches must feel when fans try to explain their strategies for winning. So, yes, I have an opinion on the legal issues and its an educated one, based on reasoning and not my personal view on a politician. And, sadly, I will chime in my thoughts on the law and upset my fanbase, even when I don’t express a political view, but merely explain concepts of due process and the need for evidence. So while its important to not trust everything you read or hear, also trust the experts. Ask questions but listen to them. Even if they currently masquerade as comedians. #standup #formerlawyer #bettercallpaul #shutupanddribble 
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I did shows after tragedies before but last week I had to go on stage hours after Charlie Kirk was assassinated... in Florida. There was a vigil a mile away from my show with what seemed like a hundred people. To be clear, I was never a fan of Charlie Kirk and I went after a lot of his arguments and misreadings of the law. But I 100% do not condone any silencing of speech, especially with violence. But the show had to go on and I read the room and avoided any jokes that could trigger folks who clearly had a rough week or who were fans of him. I even softened the darker jokes I did that touch on death or politics given that most people just heard the news, especially on Thursday when it happened. Ironically, it was also 9/11 and I was the only middle eastern in the room, so that was a fun way to distract the crowd from the latest trauma. My job was to make people laugh or escape and I think I did it. People paid to get laughs. If they wanted commentary, they would have stayed home. I get it. That's not to say I won't and did not comment on the incident and the adminstration and public outcry in the aftermath on social media (especially on threads). After the show, a man in tears came up to me and thanks me for my show. Maybe he had other trauma in his life but he said "Thank you for that. We needed that tonight after a tough week." Even if me and that guy did not agree politically (which is an assumption on my part, I know), that made me happy. The show must go on. #comedy #tragedy #formerlawyer #standup  If you follow me on threads, you know I was not a fan of Charlie Kirk. I disagreed with nearly everything he did and I loved when South Park called him out for his "master debating". As a lawyer, I saw through all his false debate "wins", narrative changes and attacks on people instead of arguing the issues. I hated his lack of empathy, demonizing the LGBT community, immigrants and minorities. That being said, I'm not celebrating his murder. I understand why some who were direct victims of his attacks would want to, just as I understood why people elevated the Luigi guy who murdered the United Healthcare executive. But murder is not the answer. For those of you saying the "radical left" did this, you have been bamboozled by social media and your leader, who need us to be divided so they can make money off you and keep you in the dark on facts you can easily google. For example, in June, Democratic Minnesota Senator Melissa Hortman, her husband and dog were all murdered at their home because of her political views by Vance Boelter. He also shot a another Democratic leaders who survived and had a list of more to murder. Last month an anti-vax/covid guy shot into the CDC building, killing a police officer who was also a US Marine veteran who fought in Afghanistan. The president and many of the right did not address these deaths as it would not fit the narrative of a "radical left" person. Most likely, it was the opposite. Google it. For those of you saying we need gun control, it is highly unlikely that gun control would have stopped this or the death of Melissa Hortman. These are skilled gunman who have likely owned guns for years and would pass any 5 day waiting period requirement. They were not using automatic guns. We don't have anyone uniting the country right now. The Governor of Utah came the closest to providing the voice of reason we needed. Then the President fueled the fire by using his "radical left" rhetoric. His base calls anyone who disagrees with him radical left, including me. Last I checked I voted for Republicans and Democrats in the last 10 years and know many Republicans who strongly disagree with Trump, even endorsing Harris in 2024. Trump lowered flags and did a speech from the Oval Office for Charlie Kirk's death but did not even bother to address the death of an elected official who had a D in front of her name or a Police Officer/Veteran who protected the CDC building. By elevating the death of Charlie Kirk (Which is sad and should never have happened) and ignoring the death of these others murdered because they were not supporters of the President, he is speaking to the half of the country who voted for him and not the other almost 50% who are also Americans. When I confronted a friend who supported Trump about what we need right now to unite the country he said "Well that's not him. He can't do that." And that's the problem #standup #comedy #healthydebate #formerlawyer  I think most comedians feel like frauds at some point. The imposter syndrome. I felt like the biggest fraud for a long time, because I came into the comedy space much later in life, after two other career paths. I struggled when things didn't go as planned or I lost control of the rhythm of my set. Now, I still feel like an imposter sometimes, especially when established comedians, peers or comedians I respect are in the room watching me. That used to make me nervous and on my tip toes and make me do my best "sure fire" jokes. But lately, something has changed. Now its the opposite. It makes me work harder and take more chances on stage. I still am very alert, but instead of doing the sure fire hits that have proven to work, I take chances on new jokes or new tags and see how I can react and do better. I still play to the audience and not the comedians in the back but now I feel like I belong. But when I am on a show with established comedians, especially in New York or L.A., there is still that imposter syndrome lurking the background. hashtag#standup hashtag#comedy hashtag#careerchange  This one is easy. I was starting a weekend, featuring at a new club I was excited to do with my first show of the week. I was just about to go on stage and just going over my set. I was standing to the side as the host was about to bring me up. The club had a swinging door for the wait staff to walk in and another swing door to walk out to deliver drinks and food. There is a sign that says "Do not stand in front of this door" which is where I was standing. Just as I was about to go on. BOOMMMMMM! A server runs in with drinks and nachos with HOT cheese. I was covered in cheese and cranberry vodka, just before going on stage. It was hot. The server felt awful. I was cheesed up and smelling of alcohol. He quickly brought me a couple wet towels to help me clean up but I had to go on stage and address it. I made a joke about it and made sure the server knew it was my fault, not his. It was fun, but definitely weird and a memory I will never forget. And I never stand in front of swing doors now and walk through them with extra caution now as well, with a stiff arm out. #standup #comedy #memories #flashback  |
AuthorPaul Farahvar is a comedian hailing from Chicago, Ill. Archives
October 2025
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