Truly bizarre news. The central premise of 'Eco-Friendly Jihad' has just been endorsed by Osama bin Laden.
Seriously.
The latest audiotape from bin Laden (released Jan 29th, 2010) blames climate change on the US and other Western nations. According to Associated Press, the Al Qaeda leader has called for "the world to boycott American goods and the US dollar, blaming the United States and other industrialised countries for global warming."
I'm kinda skeptical about statements 'from Osama bin Laden'. AP reports that "the tape's authenticity could not be independently confirmed, but the voice resembled that of bin Laden on messages known to be from him." It's possible that this statement is coming from another Al Qaeda spokesperson, claiming to represent Osama. Either way, some very nasty people are now seriously making the case which I performed satrically in 'Eco-Friendly Jihad'.
So far no-one has is asking the critical question. If Al Qaeda are serious about reducing carbon emissions, why have they repeatedly bombed public transport?
I can understand people being angry about Guantánamo, Iraq or Palestine. Most of my friends are. But I don't understand why anyone thinks they can help the children of Palestine by bombing a commuter train in London. That's like trying to remove mice from your kitchen by flying to Botswana to shoot a giraffe. It's moronic.
As someone who grew up in Ireland in the 1980s, I am convinced that terrorism doesn't work. I've heard people say, "of course terrorism works... look at Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness. They used to be in the IRA and now they're in Government."
True. They're in Her Majesty's Government... of Great Britain and Northern Ireland... as junior partners to the DUP. That's like Osama bin Laden leaving Al Qaeda to become Sarah Palin's running mate.
[For the record, Sarah Palin has a lot more in common with Osama bin Laden than I do. They may disagree on foreign policy, but they both support banning gay marriage, bringing God into the classroom, and increasing access to guns. Palin/bin Laden 2012? You read it here first.]
Let me be clear. I don't hate America. Some of my shows criticise aspects of American foreign policy - most of my American friends do the same thing. But how many of us want to live in a world dominated by China? Or Russia? Or Iran? Personally, I'd like to live in a world run by a coalition of Holland, Sweden, Canada and New Zealand... but I'm not holding my breath.
Finally, there is a remote possibility that someone in Al Qaeda randomly came across my show on the internet - while googling 'Jihad' or something - and that this gave someone the idea for "Bin Laden's" latest statement. It seems pretty unlikely, although the show did crop up in some far flung places (The Seoul Times described it as "contemporary and controversial".) And there's been a lot of extra web traffic ahead of the upcoming tour. Maybe someone in Al Qaeda reads 'The Kilkenny People'?
I used to presume that Al Qaeda hadn't the remotest interest in artists, performers or cultural commentators. But their latest statement quotes Noam Chomsky. Also, the 2008 World Performing Arts Festival in Pakistan (where I was invited to return, with 'Eco-Friendly Jihad') was bombed by Islamic militants, who disapproved of its openness to foreign cultures.
So maybe Al Qaeda do pay attention to culture. At any rate, I think we can safely say we're winning the war on terror if the best they can do is to rip off ideas from a smart arsed Dublin comedian.
2010 is already looking like a bold, ambitious and slightly crazy year. In that spirit, I'm planning to perform three solo shows - ‘Jesus: The Guantanamo Years’, 'Eco-Friendly Jihad' and a new production, 'Sex, Lies & the KKK' - at Fringe Festivals in Brighton (UK) and Hollywood (USA) this summer. In August, I'll be taking 'Sex, Lies & the KKK' to Edinburgh. I'm also planning to teach comedy/one-man show workshops at all three festivals. Roll on summer.
There are also tentative plans afoot to perform double-billed shows in Brighton and Edinburgh alongside one of Europe's most talented and successful comedians. Can't reveal his identity yet, as we're still confirming details, but watch this space.
Following the success of last term's comedy workshops at Big Smoke Writing Factory, I'll be teaching another 10 week course, on Friday evenings, from 6.30 to 8.30, starting on January 29. Details to follow, but if you're interested in registering, the sign up is here.
with Father Jack at the Galway Comedy Festival, October 2009
"No Vietcong Ever Called Me Nigger" at the Galway Comedy Festival
October 22, 2009
Where were you the night Barack Obama was elected? Abie Philbin Bowman was on the independent radio station i102-104, interviewing the Ku Klux Klan. “Given that Jesus’s mother was a Palestinian Jew, and his Father was God, doesn’t that make Jesus mixed-race?”
Inspired by Muhammad Ali’s famous anti-Vietnam rallying cry, “No Vietcong Ever Called Me Nigger” is the latest comedy show from Abie Philbin Bowman, the writer and performer of international sell-out hits ‘Jesus: The Guantanamo Years’ and ‘Eco-Friendly Jihad’.
A unique perspective on sex, bigotry and the audacity of hope from the only Western stand-up stupid enough to perform religious, political comedy in Pakistan during the 2007 State of Emergency.
Roisin Dubh, Sunday, Oct 25, @ 6pm
Tickets: €10
"Way beyond superficial satire... Absorbing, challenging and highly entertaining."
- TimeOut
“One of Ireland's most thought-provoking comedians."
Teaching Stand-Up from Club Set to One-Person Show
August 29, 2009
In the next few months, I’m going to be teaching a range of classes on how to perform stand-up comedy, how to write a one-person show, and how to handle media and marketing as a performer. I personally believe, that – whatever your profession – the skills of a stand-up can be applied in numerous ways throughout your personal and professional life. I also think that, if you’re a comedian or an actor, writing and touring a one-person show is a great way to take control of your own career. It ends your dependence on casting directors and comedy club owners, leaving you free to tour venues and festivals across the country and the world under your own steam. Writing and touring 'Jesus: The Guantanamo Years', is certainly the best professional decision I’ve ever made.
It’s funny how these things come about. I used to teach creative writing at the Irish Centre for Talented Youth and absolutely loved it. I even did a stint as a guest lecturer to Masters’ students in Pakistan. And I’ve been doing comedy, and developing, marketing and touring one-man shows for over three years now. Occasionally, I found myself thinking “I’d really love to teach this stuff” but I never found the time to organise it. (Instead, I just offered unwanted advice to other comedians). Then, in the last few months, I was asked by four separate organisations to teach classes in comedy. So I said yes. Here’s what I’ll be doing.
Starting on September 2nd, Aidan Killian is running a six-week workshop on how to become a stand-up comic in a month. I’ll be taking one of the classes (Sept 14th). Full details here. Contact: aidan@laughoutloud.ie
From September 18th-21st, a Portuguese actor and teacher, Leandro Morgado, will be doing an intensive weekend on how to write a one-person show. I’ll be conducting the final session, focusing on marketing, media and tackling the Edinburgh Fringe. For more details, contact: workshops4comedy@gmail.com
Starting on October 2nd, I’ll be teaching a comprehensive 10-week course, entitled: Stand Up Comedy: From ‘Open Spot’ to One-Person Show. It will run on Friday evenings, from 6:30 to 8:30pm. It’s being run by the Big Smoke Writing Factory – an exciting new teaching co-operative, set up by experienced writing teachers (one of whom, Yvonne Cullen, I’ve worked with in the past, and think the world of).You can find more details and book online here. Contact: bigsmokewritingfactory@gmail.com
And on the weekend of October 10th/11th, I’ll be conducting an intensive weekend on how to write and market a one-person show, at the Irish Writers Centre. Full details here. To book, contact: info@writerscentre.ie
I personally hate messages which say “book early to avoid disappointment”. They’re usually posted by crap events which want you to book early before you change your mind. However, all these classes will, by their nature, be relatively small. So, in all probability, they will either fill up fast, or – if there isn’t enough interest – they won’t go ahead.
So if you really are interested in attending, contact me or someone else as soon as possible, to make sure that the class goes ahead, and that we can fit you in.
The Flat Lake Festival, Co. Monaghan (sharing a stage with Cillian Murphy)
August 06, 2009
On August 15th, I'll be performing an improved and up-dated version of 'Eco-Friendly Jihad' at the fabulous Flat Lake Festival in Co. Monaghan. Here's the line-up in the 'Butty Barn'
I did a stand-up set on religion and science at the Leviathan Cabaret in the new Science Gallery in Trinity College this evening.
For the uninitiated, Leviathan is a cabaret evening which brings together film-makers, politicians, commentators, comedians, song-writers and the public to explore issues of the day. Typically, there’s an amusing musical section, a short film or animated sequence, a stand-up comedian and a main panel discussion with comments from the floor.
In possibly the nerdiest milestone of my career (so far), tonight’s stand-up performance makes me the first person in Leviathan’s history to contribute separately as a musician, comedian and panellist. Back in my song-writing days I performed some satirical numbers alongside a group called ‘White Cholera’. And in 2007, I was invited onto a panel alongside the Director of the Israeli Government Press Office Daniel Seaman and Delegate-General of Palestine to Ireland, Dr. Hikmat Ajjuri. We were debating whether the Irish media is biased about the Middle East.
For some reason, this makes the geeky/trivia side of my brain very happy.
Tonight’s event – on the subject ‘Is Religion Infectious?’ – was brilliantly chaired by the BBC’s William Crawley who injected considerable humour, knowledge and mischief into the discussion without ever becoming more important than his guests. These included Mick Nugent of Atheists Ireland; an intriguing young theologian named Gerard Rory, and the head of the Irish Church of Scientology. I opened the show with a 20 minute stand-up set on the subject of religion and science.
Highlights of the evening included the Head of Scientology Ireland incorrectly explaining the origin of the word ‘Scientology’, and Mick Nugent’s defence of Richard Dawkins: ‘Militant Muslims Fly Planes into Buildings; Militant Christians Bomb Abortion Clinics; Militant Atheists Write Books’.
I graduated today with an M.Phil in Peace Studies. My thesis – on the effectiveness of political comedy – was called ‘How Many Comedians Does it Take to Change a Government?’
To be honest, the fun part of doing a Masters is engaging with new ideas, reading obscure books and arguing in seminars. Graduation is just a dull ritual in Harry Potter costumes. Part of me wishes that I’d studied theology or astrophysics so that I could call myself a ‘Master of Divinity’ or a 'Master of the Universe'. I think ‘Master of Peace’ sounds like the lame one from Captain Planet.
After six months hosting their main talk show, I've left i105-107. We had some great times together but ultimately we were just too different. It just wasn't meant to be. So the time has come for us to hear other people.
But we'll always have the memories - the conversations with the World Pillow Fight champion (Carmen Monoxide), the April Fools jokes played on politicians and the Weird and Wacky Stories ("Man with 14 Birds stuffed Down his Trousers" and other favourites). Probably my most enduring memory was speaking to the Ku Klux Klan the night America elected its first mixed race President - Barack Obama. I asked the Klan if having a Palestinian Jewish mother and a Divine Father meant that Jesus was also mixed race. I'll post an MP3 of their response soon.
For now, I'll be taking some time off. I literally went from performing two one-man shows at Edinburgh, into writing a 20,000 word Masters Thesis on Political Comedy, into six months on radio, 3 hours a day, five days a week. So really need a holiday. But I have several ideas for my next project, so watch this space.
April Fools' Day is my favourite holiday - the only one that's still free of pointless cards, family obligations and seasonally themed romcoms. Instead it's all about taking the piss out of those you love.
Today, we informed listeners that G20 protestors in London had burnt a giant effigy of Noel Edmunds, alongside the slogan - 'G20: Deal or No Deal - the Banker's Next!'(I'm slightly ashamed that I've seen enough 'Deal or No Deal' to have come up with that).
While interviewing former Green Party Leader and Minister of State, Trevor Sargent, I asked him to comment on news that Jeremy Clarkson was supporting anti-Lisbon group Libertas...
To mark the historic inauguration of Barack Obama, i105-107 was rebranded 'Obama FM'. Pat the Baker made special 'Barn Baracks' - because Pat the Baker is way cooler than Joe the Plumber.
From today, I'll be presenting the main talk show on i105-107. The station was launched last night by Tommy Tiernan and Hector O'Heochagain who'll present their own talk show every Friday.
My show 'The Third i' - a mix of politics, comedy, opinion and topicality - will be broadcast from 1pm - 4pm every weekday, throughout the Midlands and North East - or, as we're affectionately referring to it, 'The Middle East'. It will be repeated at 1am. (You can listen live at www.i105107.ie).
Our first show features an interview with the legendary broadcaster and journalist Jon Snow, who's a personal hero of mine.
Obviously, planning and presenting a 3 hour show, five days a week will take a lot of my time, but I will still be performing live comedy at every opportunity.
Feedback on, or suggestions for, the show are always welcome. Contact Abie@i105107.ie
Interviewing the Ku Klux Klan on the Night of Barack Obama's Election Victory
November 05, 2008
I love elections the way sports fans love major finals. To prepare for my up-coming job, hosting a daily talk show on i105-107, I presented a US election special on their sister station, i102-104. 'Out for the Count with Abie Philbin Bowman' took it's title from an Irish election special which my late brother Jonathan hosted on a Dublin radio show back in 1997.
It was an honour and a joy to cover this historic election on air. It was also impossible to compete with the huge budgets, graphics and correspondents of the World's biggest media organisations - CNN, ABC, BBC, Sky etc. We actually had CNN on screen outside the studio. Since the fiasco of Gore/Bush in 2000, US networks are wary of calling the election too early, so we actually called it for Obama - based on their figures - long before they did (c. 2.45 am Irish time).
We did manage one scoop over the big boys, by interviewing the National Membership Director of an organisation which has fought this day for over 100 years - the Ku Klux Klan.
'Eco-Friendly Jihad' and 'Jesus: TGY' Sold Out at the Edinburgh Fringe
August 09, 2008
Am having a blast at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival - where both Eco-Friendly Jihad and Jesus: The Guantanamo Years have already enjoyed sold out performances. Both shows are in the Underbelly @ 15.55 (Jesus on Tuesdays, Jihad on Wednesdays through Sundays).
In addition to my own shows, I'm performing at a handful of others including Political Animal (Underbelly), Black and White Eco Ball (The Prince's Trust), Joke-e-oke (GRV), Calvin Wynters Late Lounge (C Venues), Festival of Spirituality and Peace (St John's), Spank (Underbelly) and Andrew Stanley's Comedy Mish Mash (Gilded Balloon).
Have also seen some fantastic other shows, including Dead Cat Bounce, Glenn Wool and Eleanor Tiernan.
I've just arrived in Edinburgh, to find that the US Army has sent me a birthday present - they're trying to become more eco-friendly. Read the real story here.
However, the Americans still have a long way to go before they become as eco-friendly as Al Qaeda. The US Army routinely flies troops and bombs half-way around the world, while Al Qaeda source their fighters locally, and walk bombs to their targets. Plus, I hate to say it, but suicide bombers are a lot more biodegradable. If you think about it, Al Qaeda is the ultimate example of 'Think Globally, Act Locally'.
Performing at Edinburgh Festival of Spirituality and Peace
July 16, 2008
While in Edinburgh for the annual Fringe Festival, I've been invited to contribute to a number of events organised by the Festival of Spritituality and Peace including their opening and closing ceremonies on August 3rd.
"Jesus" reaches iTunes Top 10 from Europe to Japan
May 05, 2008
Less than a month after its launch, 'Jesus: The Guantanamo Years' was in the Top 10 Comedy Albums downloaded on iTunes in half a dozen countries including the UK, Sweden, Holland, Italy, Finland, Belgium, Denmark and Japan.
You can read about it's success in Sweden here. You can listen to one scene from the show here:
In November 2007, I became the only Irish comedian stupid enough to perform a religious, political satire in a Muslim country, during a national state of emergency.
At the start of its Autumn Tour of Ireland Jesus: The Guantanamo Years was the target of a bomb scare in Belfast. PSNI Officers arrived to search the Black Box Theatre but apparently it was a pretty obvious hoax. I had no idea there was anything wrong until I came off stage after the show, an hour later.
The incident underlines what I'm saying on stage: that Christianity has been hijacked by people who completely misunderstand the teachings of Jesus. If you phone in a bomb warning, regardless of whether it's real or fake, you're breaking one of the 10 Commandments. Fortunately, on this occasion, the idiot in question was only guilty of bearing false witness, so I forgive him.
Earlier that week, DUP Councillor Christopher Stalford stated that the show was "in fairly bad taste” and encouraged people to boycott it. We had several frank exchanges of opinions on the airwaves, one of which you can listen to here...
A couple of hours after finishing the last Arts Theatre, show I made my debut at the legendary Comedy Store on July 9th 2007.
The Comedy Store Late Show bill included Frankie Boyle, Tom Stade, Ian Stone and John Bishop (MC). The gig was great, but not nearly as much fun as hanging out back-stage.
Some weeks in this job are a bit mind-blowing. In the space of five days I got to debut in a West End Theatre, and in London's legendary Comedy Store.
The Arts Theatre had placed a giant cross on the side of their building.
A huge thank you to all of my friends who came from far and near to see the show during the week. It added a very low-key college reunion/"this is your life" quality to the whole experience.
There's a lot of competition in the West End - most tourists are there for the big musicals, rather than for a one-man comic monologue about the place of religion in the War on Terror. Those who did come to the show gave their own verdicts.
I quite like Nizlopi's JCB Song - it's a bit sentimental maybe - but better than most of the crap in the charts. However, I was a little perturbed by the number of my fellow Trinity students who were getting very nostalgic for a working class childhood they had never had.
I wrote this parody for a gig in Trinity's Ed Burke Theatre, supporting the fantastic Colin Murphy.
If you wanna compare it to Nizlopi's original, it's available on iTunes, and you can watch the video here:
