Maria Shehata: What does a nosy pepper do? Gets jalapeo business!

The award-winning American standup, podcaster and comedian on the things that make her laugh the most

The funniest standup I’ve ever seen …

Greg Giraldo was one of the sharpest, funniest standups. He had a rapid-fire delivery, dense with punchlines; you almost struggle to keep up. He died too soon.

The funniest sketch I’ve ever seen …

Dirty Dishes by Dead Kevin: a housemate is told it’s his turn to do the dishes and it’s the funniest unleashing of rage. I love watching people lose their shit.

The funniest book I’ve ever read …

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. It is consistently funny and was a huge inspiration.

The funniest TV show I’ve ever seen …

I love Veep, so my boyfriend just had me watch The Thick of It. It’s so funny: Peter Capaldi’s reactions are everything.

The funniest person I know …

I have a list of funny things my partner has said so I can refer back to it when I need a laugh. I have to write it all down even though I’m ruining really lovely moments between us.

The funniest heckle I’ve ever had …

I asked an audience of 300 to boo me because no one was listening and it would have been better than being ignored, and oh did they oblige.

The funniest item of clothing I’ve ever owned …

I went as a sunny-side-up egg once for Halloween. But I hand-made the costume, so people just thought I was pregnant with a yellow belly.

The funniest thing that shouldn’t be funny …

“This is a Piccadilly line train to Cockfosters.” I’m sorry, I am every American uni student, but Piccadilly is already a funny word and then you add Cockfosters, said in that voice. It’s too much.

The funniest number …

Think I’m going to have to go with number two.

The funniest word …

Any word that ends in double “o”. Bakerloo, Waterloo, didgeridoo.

The funniest joke I’ve ever heard …

What does a nosy pepper do?
Gets jalapeño business!

Maria Shehata will appear live and online on 11 February at the Leicester comedy festival. She also co-hosts the podcast 2 Non Doctors

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