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I'm Not a Terrorist, But I've Played One On TV: Memoirs of a Middle Eastern Funny Man Paperback – February 16, 2016

by Maz Jobrani (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 165 ratings
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“A funny, insightful memoir” (Kirkus Reviews) about growing up Iranian in America, and the quest to make it as an actor in Hollywood without having to wear a turban, tote a bomb, or get kicked in the face by Chuck Norris.

After he emigrated with his family to the US during the Iranian Revolution, Maz Jobrani spent most of his youth trying to fit in with his adopted culture—learning to play baseball and religiously watching Dallas. But none of his attempts at assimilation made a difference to casting directors, who only auditioned him for the role of kebab-eating, bomb-toting, extremist psychopath.

When he first started out in show business, Maz endured suggestions that he spice up his stand-up act by wearing “the outfit,” fielded questions about rising gas prices, and was jeered for his supposed involvement in the Iran hostage crisis. In fact, these things happened so often that he began to wonder: Could I be a terrorist without even knowing it? And when all he seemed to be offered were roles that required looking menacingly Arabic, he wondered if he would ever make it in America.

This laugh-out-loud memoir chronicles a lifetime of both killing it and bombing on stage, with “plenty to say about matters of race, assimilation, embarrassing family members, life in America for brown-skinned people before and after 9/11, the vagaries of international pop culture, and making it in big, dumb, fizzy, sometimes beautiful America” (The New York Times).
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  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 16, 2016
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.7 x 8.38 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    9781476749990
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1476749990
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Jobrani has plenty to say about matters of race, assimilation, embarrassing family members, life in America for brown-skinned people before and after 9/11, the vagaries of international pop culture and making it in big, dumb, fizzy, sometimes beautiful America.” —The New York Times

“Maz Jobrani is challenging extremist ideology and Muslim stereotypes, one punchline at a time.” ― The Atlantic

“I didn’t even know Maz was Persian. I thought he was Mexican. You learn so much when someone writes a book about themselves. Now read it so you can understand why Maz is hands down my favorite bald headed, goateed, Persian comedian named Maz.” —Whitney Cummings, stand-up comedian and creator of Two Broke Girls

“I have witnessed hundreds of thousands of people come to my club, and adore Maz. I highly recommend this book. It’s an incredible story about an incredible comedian. You will love it!” —Jamie Masada, Owner, The World Famous Laugh Factory

“Maz Jobrani is no Jabroni. If you don't read his book I will find you, put you in a camel clutch, and break your neck! Oh, and his book is funny too.” —The Iron Sheik, WWE Champion and Social Media God

“A heartfelt and laugh-out-loud hilarious memoir about growing up an immigrant in America. Maz Jobrani is not just one of the funniest comics out there. He's a keenly perceptive voice on what it even means to be American.” — Reza Aslan, author of Zealot and No god but God



"The struggles and successes of ‘the Persian Eddie Murphy.’ Iranian-American comedian, actor and first-time author Jobrani tells a fish-out-of-water story. . . . A funny [and] insightful memoir" —Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Maz Jobrani is a founding member of The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour. He performs stand-up comedy around the world, including in Europe, Australia, and the Middle East where he performed in front of the King of Jordan. Maz starred in the films Friday After Next, 13 Going on 30, and The Interpreter. He was a series regular on ABC’s Better Off Ted, and he has guest starred on Curb Your Enthusiasm, 24, True Blood, and Shameless, to name a few. Jobrani is currently a regular panelist on NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me.” He has also given two TED talks, which can be viewed at TED.com. He has performed his stand-up on The Tonight Show, Comedy Central, and Showtime and is starring in the indie comedy feature, Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero, which he cowrote and produced. I’m Not a Terrorist, But I’ve Played One on TV is his first book.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 147674999X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; Reprint edition (February 16, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781476749990
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1476749990
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.38 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 165 ratings

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Maz Jobrani

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
165 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Andrea Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Hysterically funny, intellectually honest, delightfully enlightening.
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2016
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Absolutely hysterical book! It's also informative, thought-provoking, and illuminating. We're all one species of human sharing this planet -- why are we so misinformed about each other? As someone who's traveled and spent time in the Middle East, I can relate to the struggles that Maz and other comedians of Middle Eastern descent face from a public who can't tell the difference between Persians and Arabs, much less grasp that people are basically the same all over the world.

We humans mostly all worry about the same things -- what are we going to make for dinner, how can we get the kids to school on time, how can we pay the rent, etc. The vast majority of humanity wants to have a good life and is against terrorism no matter what religion they practice or what country they come from.

Maz has done us all a huge favor by bringing some light into the subject of heritage and prejudice. In a really funny way, he and his friends are reminding us that we're all the same. Have fun with this book! "I'm Persian ... like the cat! Meow!"
3 people found this helpful
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Stuart
5.0 out of 5 stars Read it in one sitting, and loved it
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2015
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I really enjoyed this book. You can't help but to feel that he's an old friend after reading it because he writes in a very friendly style. His stories about travels to the Middle East to do comedy shows informs us that that part of the world is full of ordinary people just like us, with the same hopes and dreams, and sense of humor too. He lovingly pokes fun at his mom and dad's eccentricities, and talks about trying his best to fit in as a kid in a CA town during the height of the Iran hostage crisis. I read it in one sitting and now my wife is reading it and laughing out loud as I write this review.
3 people found this helpful
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Anita M
4.0 out of 5 stars Just what I expected
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2015
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I pre-ordered this book as I'm a big fan of Maz. A lot of what he does in his shows was detailed throughout and the "how's & why's" neatly explained. I wasn't expecting a great read, and for me at least I pretty much got what I was expecting. Not as well written or engaging as other books I've read, but then they man is a comic, not a writer. Held my attention and being married to an Iranian, could so appreciate the descriptions of his family. More than one scene certainly caused me to lol. All in all, felt I got my money's worth and am glad I bought and read this book
4 people found this helpful
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Arya Boudaie
5.0 out of 5 stars Maz Jobrani is practically my hero - it's so great to see an Iranian American who is socially active ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2017
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Maz Jobrani is practically my hero - it's so great to see an Iranian American who is socially active and fights for what's right. That being said, it was great to read his book and find out where he comes from, and what his background is. It's a little disorganized, but Maz isn't an author, so you have to give him a lot of credit for getting this together. If you like his comedy, you'll love the book!
2 people found this helpful
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Kristine S. Woeckener
3.0 out of 5 stars Not All That Funny
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2019
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I bought this because Jobrani is a regular on "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me". This memior is just okay, however. The author seems like a nice enough fellow but he is not all that funny. His whole act is based on him being Iranian-born and making jokes about how he is not a terrorist. He uses that stereotype ad nauseam and would not have anything to say without it. Most of the memior is an adaptation of his act, where he even recounts his complete lack of originality or wit when dealing with hecklers. (He tells them to keep it down because he is being paid to be there.) The best thing about this book is the cover photo.
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Wuzzdaddy
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and insightful
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2017
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I bought this book after seeing Maz Jobrani perform in Sacramento. Before reading the book, I was afraid that it was going to be somewhat mawkish but that was not the case. Being also a "middle eastern light" myself, I found his introspection to be very honest and very funny. His kindness and insightfulness come through as you read the book. I really enjoyed it and wish him continued success and happiness.
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Rusty Runner
5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, (a little) Sour & Spicy
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2015
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This is a light-hearted autobiographical sketch book, funny & serious at times. Maz is capable at looking at ourselves with a humorist eye & smile (often deeply) at our shortcomings. His many assets include a very good knowledge of Persian & middle-eastern, as well as western, cultures. He is not simply funny, but is often in control of, & standing above, a given situation (even personal tragedies) & creating fun out of sadness. I would very highly recommend this book to all immigrants, especially Persians.
One person found this helpful
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Mary
4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile book, but not for children
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2015
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This is definitely a worthwhile book for adults. I learned a lot about how it is to be an Iranian-American and had some good laughs along the way. I did not, however, give it to my 14 yr old nephew who aspires to be a comedian because there is some raunch (tales of strip clubs and just profane humor) in it.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Abdullah Jirjees
5.0 out of 5 stars You should have it.
Reviewed in Canada on January 4, 2022
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Salima
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2024
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Immersion and comicql
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Manmohan
5.0 out of 5 stars Good one
Reviewed in India on February 8, 2016
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Light read. Highlights the authors experiences while growing up as an Iranian immigrant in the US and later in life during his travels - presented in a lighter vein.
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mrs. Faranak Peart
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it and recommend this book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2017
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I loved it and recommend this book ;)
If you have been brought up in England, USA or any European countries with very traditional parents, then you will read your storeys at times!!!!
don't miss out on this book even if you are not Persian/Iranian. you'll love it and laugh loudly at times. <3 it
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fern
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read :-)
Reviewed in India on December 19, 2016
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It was light, breezy and beautiful to read. Also, Maz is nuts in a very endearing way. Almost. Okay, he is.
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