Russell Peters is here on funny business

Russell Peters

Q. You are back in India with new material. What's it going to be about this time?
A. I think that this set has a lot more material about where I am in my life now; I'm a middle-aged, divorced father who's challenged by tech-nology and coming to terms with who I am in the world.

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Q. You are popular in India. In what part of the world, do you consider yourself ‘Almost Famous'?
A. I'm ‘Almost Famous' in the United States. I sold-out at Madison Square Garden, and I'm on my fourth arena tour, which is more than most comics ever get to do, but that doesn't mean I'm famous.

Q. You are known for your improvisational comedy with the audience, especially through jokes about their ethnic origin. Have you ever been left tongue-tied?
A. Every now and then, there'll be someone from somewhere like Montenegro or Latvia and I've got nothing.

Q. One of your most popular jokes is about Indian parenting. Now that you are a father, have any of your experiences become a part of your new routines?
A. I do talk about parenting and my daughter as part of the new act. My daughter is awesome and very funny - she knows she's funny, which I find fascinating.

Q. Will we see you in any Bollywood film or any other film soon?
A. I don't know about Bollywood, but I've got a few movie projects on the go. You never know…

Q. You tour a lot. If not on tour, what would you like towork on?
A. Nothing… seriously, I'm pretty lazy and when I'm not on tour. I just want to do nothing. I spend almost every day with my daughter. Go out to the movies, dinner. Normal stuff.

Q. You must have been hit by ‘Tell me a joke' requests all the time. What's your reply?
A. I get it all the time. It's kind of awkward really. (I say) I'm a storyteller, sorry.