- Comedian Mo Amer’s new Netflix special, “Wild World,” directly tackles the Palestinian experience and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
- The special opens with a sharp critique of fellow Palestinian American DJ Khaled and features a takedown of comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld for his recent controversial comments.
- Amer speaks on the immense “weight” and pressure he feels as the most prominent Palestinian American voice in stand-up comedy today.
- He also defends his decision to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, stating his focus is on connecting with the people, not politics.
Mo Amer’s Unfiltered Take on a “Wild World”
Comedian Mo Amer is holding nothing back in his fiery new Netflix stand-up special, “Wild World.” Moving beyond the semi-autobiographical dramedy of his acclaimed series “Mo,” Amer steps into the spotlight with a raw and unflinching hour of comedy that confronts the topics others won’t touch. As the sole prominent Palestinian American stand-up comic, Amer uses his platform to navigate the complexities of his identity, taking direct aim at hypocrisy and silence within the entertainment industry.
“Fuck DJ Khaled”: A Special That Pulls No Punches
From the very first line, Amer sets a defiant tone. The special opens with the words, “Fuck DJ Khaled,” a direct call-out of the hip-hop magnate for what Amer perceives as his silence on the Palestinian cause. This confrontational start signals that “Wild World” is not a typical comedy special. It evolved from a set Amer performed in November 2023, shortly after the October 7th attacks, which he initially felt was “too raw” to release.
Now, polished but just as potent, the material addresses the immense grief and anger felt by Palestinians worldwide. “The conversations that I’m having now are in a different universe from where we were two years ago,” Amer explained in an interview. “You can’t mince words.”
Taking Aim at Comedy Royalty
Amer doesn’t stop with Khaled. He also directs his sharp commentary towards comedy icon Jerry Seinfeld, who has faced backlash for his dismissive remarks about the pro-Palestinian movement. Amer calls Seinfeld’s comments “horrible” and “gross,” expressing his shock at hearing such words from a comedian he once admired.
“It’s fucking horrifying—somebody who you watched, who you loved, who you looked up to, to say they want you to die? Fuck that,” Amer stated. “We’re not gonna just walk around and pretend like this is normal.”
The Weight of Representation
Throughout the special and in his recent interviews, Amer speaks candidly about the pressure he feels to represent his community during a time of crisis. He recounts how a D.C. comedy club, where he had sold out shows many times before, denied him a spot to perform his new material shortly after the conflict escalated. This sense of isolation has been compounded by a lack of support from some industry peers, though he credits Jon Stewart and Dave Chappelle as being true allies.
When asked about the risk of being canceled, Amer is resolute. “There’s people dying, bro. There’s, like, entire families and lineages being fucking decimated. And I’m sitting there worried about what? You know? We’ve got to talk about it.”