Comedian Nadav Abukasis Reveals Childhood Connection to Cemeteries
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Comedian Nadav Abukasis revealed in an upcoming interview that his father was a gravedigger for 40 years, a profession that influenced his stand-up comedy. Abukasis described childhood experiences at funerals and how he developed a popular routine based on contrasting mourning customs. The interview will also cover his political identity, professional challenges, and personal journey.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Comedian Nadav Abukasis's father worked as a gravedigger for 40 years, influencing his comedy.
- Abukasis shared childhood memories of attending funerals with his father.
- A popular stand-up bit was inspired by contrasting Ashkenazi and Moroccan funeral customs.
- The interview will also address Abukasis's political views and personal life.
- The interview airs on Kan 11's "Meeting with Roni Kovan" this Saturday night.
Israeli comedian and actor Nadav Abukasis will reveal a surprising biographical detail in an upcoming interview on the program "Meeting with Roni Kovan" on Kan 11. Abukasis shared that his father worked as a gravedigger for 40 years, continuing a family tradition. The comedian recounted how his father would take him and his brother to funerals in the 1980s, describing the lengthy processions and emotional displays of grief.
These childhood experiences, marked by the somber atmosphere of funerals, later became a source of inspiration for Abukasis's stand-up material. He explained that a well-known comedy bit originated after his aunt's passing. At the funeral, a relative questioned how he would manage without his aunt's care, prompting Abukasis to reflect on his independent life.
The comedic spark truly ignited when Abukasis observed a stark contrast between two simultaneous funerals: an Ashkenazi service characterized by quiet mourning and a Moroccan service filled with loud lamentations. This juxtaposition inspired a humorous sketch depicting a polite but firm interruption from the Ashkenazi funeral, asking the mourners at the Moroccan funeral to lower their "karaoke."
Beyond his comedic anecdotes, Abukasis is expected to discuss more personal and complex topics in the full interview. These include the challenges of being an artist identified with the right-wing, his professional growth and envy of younger comedians, and his process of coming to terms with his parents regarding his coming out.