TV Preview/Review: Goatface Is A Must-See Comedy Central Special
Watching Goatface, I not only laughed, but I felt seen. Immediately, you will compare this special to the likes of Key & Peele and The Chapelle Show. It is not too often in this world/ television that people of color can say what they want and feel without being presented as “alarming,” “angry,” or deeply needing to “shut up.” Yet, humor is one of the best weapons love has against hate because in it lies wisdom.
From a Farmers Only type ad selling turbans to the strange, tragic relief POC’s feel when they find out “it was a white guy”, Goatface redefines politically incorrect by showing hate not only make an “us vs them” but also a “them vs. themselves.” Frankly, as a person of color, you get scared that your natural presence on this earth/ a room will challenge others’ “comfort zone,” and move them to make you “disappear” from their sight. While, in essence, its sad to live in a world like that, comedy is the choice to laugh through life’s disappointments. My GOD does Goatface make you laugh!
Starring Hasan Minhaj, Asif Ali, Fahim Anwar, and Aristotle Athiras, 4 men of either Southeast Asian or Arabic descent, Goatface naturally stands out; even in Comedy Central’s more diverse friendly line-up. Yet, the show refreshes CC, and TV Comedy by delving into the very real fears, idiosyncrasies, and hypocrisies that not only plague People of Color but also EVERY HUMAN BEING like, the discussions/ policies surrounding gun control. In a world, that seems to believe yelling stops this “crazy train” we are on from crashing, Goatface hopes that laughing actually does. Yet, like life itself, comedians understand not everything is politics or a social statement.
From a “Jordans” sketch that made me wonder the release dates of those sneakers to an R&B song that goes right into the craziest, sexual fetishes people are genuinely into, Goatface is wonderfully hilarious. It is also socially poignant and relevant to, perhaps, a culture you never knew. Interjecting sketches with stand-up, each actor discusses their up-bringing, relationships, and the general humor of being a human being and not having a clue how you function as one. I, definitely, laughed and felt “truths” when they made fun of the pressures and weird theories of success immigrant parents can have on their “Americanized” children. Moreover, I admired these actors/ comedians’ creativity in reflecting these truths, and showing how we, as their kids, feed them. All in all, it is a brilliant special, and I wish upon every star it becomes a series. THIS CANNOT BE FOR ONLY ONE NIGHT! Watch Goatface On November 27 at 10PM On Comedy Central.
