There is a new video-based blog started over at Top Funnies, where they are focussing on the world's best comedians. So far they have an American or two, a Scot, a Mexican, and this guy, Omid Djalili from Iran. He kicks some ass, and shakes his belly too, in good old Iranian style. This is the video, followed by the article.

“"Iran has only one comedian, which is 3 more than Germany." With lines like that delivered with a straight face and great timing, who can argue with Omid Djalili?

Omid is genuinely Iranian and revels in being politically incorrect in a post 9-11 era. In between belly dances and weird impersonations of Gozilla, he cracks asylum jokes, makes snide comments against the Taliban, offers bigoted interpretations of the Middle East question, and pokes fun at Arab terrorists.

Omid Djalili has appeared on both sides of the Atlantic and if anything, he breaks down a few stereotypes rather than copy most Western comics and build them up. For instance, if the US can interview extremist terrorists in caves and paint them as "normal" Arabs, why doesn't anyone hold up the KKK as the universal voice of reason in America?

There is a sting in his act, though, when his impression of an Englishman sounds way too genuine to be put on! And on that note of mystery, "What do you call an honest Iranian businessman? As if! Top Funnies"