Greg Shapiro New York Times Quote
Greg Shapiro Quoted in New York Times article “English-Language Stand-Up Is Taking Off in Europe. No Joke.”
(excerpt from article by Nina Siegal)
Reporting from Berlin and Amsterdam
Published Aug. 7, 2025
Click here for gift article:
Nina Siegal:
“These comics have to navigate culture clashes and social stereotypes. The key, they say, is to make fun of your own nationality first.”
“…The audience for English-language comedy is growing in Europe, in part because European cities are teeming with foreigners who use English as a lingua franca and want to connect through laughter. After the Covid-19 pandemic, many people who had been stuck at home watching Netflix comedy specials and YouTube clips suddenly craved a live experience.”
“To succeed as an English-language comedian in Berlin, Amsterdam or Barcelona — or in the smaller scenes in Bratislava, Slovakia; Krakow, Poland; or Prague — performers must navigate language barriers, culture clashes and social stereotypes. Jokes that resonate often strike a delicate balance, poking fun at the comedian’s country of origin while gently sending up the customs of their adopted home.”
“It is not always an easy balancing act. ‘The rule of thumb is to make fun of your own nationality first,’ said Greg Shapiro, a Chicago-born comedian who has been living in the Netherlands since 1994, and who performs English-language improv and stand-up for a living.
‘If you make fun of yourself first, you gain this permission to hold up a mirror to Dutch society,’ he explained. ‘Just first show that you’re self-aware.’ “
ALSO MENTIONED:
Thanks, Nina! Also Nina gives some shout-outs to Amsterdam regulars Matt Castellvi, Ronan Brosnan & Derek Scott Mitchell. As well as name-checks to Nira Tal, Sjoerd Scott & Roger Bak.
And – there’s a growing English-language comedy scene in The Hague. Here’s me performing at the monthly PePijn’s Comedy Club in The Hague (not in NYT article). Yes, I’ll be programming and hosting again this season.
PS – full disclosure: Nina Siegal was my editor at Time Out Amsterdam. I am her fan. She is the author of the amazing book The Diary Keepers, which follows the diary entries of six Dutch people through the second world war in Amsterdam.
That said, here are
GREG SHAPIRO UPCOMING COMEDY SHOWS:
https://gregshapiro.nl/greg-shapiro-upcoming-comedy-shows/
