Ramy Youssef: Feelings Standup Review: A Little Awkward…but very Ramy 😂
When I finished season 1 of Ramy, I was thrilled to find out that Ramy Youssef has a 2019 comedy special on HBO Max! I was excited to be introduced to Ramy Youssef, the person, and was intrigued to find out how he was different from Ramy, the TV character. There’s definitely a separation, but at the same time, I remember there were a few stories that were so similar to scenes in Season 1 of Ramy that it sounded like a verbatim read of the script. I totally get it - Ramy is a show that he created, so of course his real life experiences will influence his writing.
I wouldn’t say that this stand-up special will have you cry-laughing, but I definitely found it to be engaging and funny! Ramy discusses topics like politics, recent events, Michael Jackson, Donald Trump, and (as the title suggests) some really morally questionable feelings. Although I wasn’t laughing as much as I expected, I was more so impressed by the breadth of his mind and how he deep dives into topics that are controversial or touchy without hesitation. For instance, topics like Michael Jackson and 9/11 might still be things that people tend not to joke too much about, but Ramy goes for it. I guess stand-up comedy is all about risk-taking and trial-and-error, because there were definitely moments in this set where I felt like the audience wasn’t super into it. He talks very slowly and there are some moments where I feel like he’s pausing for dramatic effect, but it ends up just feeling like a really long pause. But I will say that I love the structure of the monologue and his concluding line! Truly a master of storytelling move right there, so if anything, you should watch to the end just to see that.
In conclusion…
Ramy Youssef: Feelings is quite aptly titled, especially when he goes into his morally questionable feelings. I wouldn’t say that this is one of the top shows I’ve seen, but I definitely enjoyed learning more about his perspective, as a Muslim American and firm believer in God. Just like his TV show, he breaks down stereotypes but isn’t afraid to poke fun at them as well!