Review: Trevor Noah shows why he's the king of third-culture comedians

Why does the UAE love Trevor Noah? If anyone has the answer, it's not Noah himself. 'Long before I was doing things in America, like hosting The Daily Show and the Grammys, people were coming to my shows in the UAE. I don't know why they supported me, but they did. It started with 200-seat shows, and it grew and grew, and look at us now,' Noah said in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The South African comedian, 41, is right to marvel at his drawing power. As he spoke, he was looking out at a near-capacity crowd of more than 10,000 people at Etihad Arena to kick off Abu Dhabi Comedy Season – nearly identical to the numbers he drew last year during Abu Dhabi Comedy Week. Listen to the man speak, of course, and it's clear why his fandom has remained both loyal and ever-growing. After all, even the best stand-up comedians tend to be quite provincial. Go to a UAE set of many tenured touring comics, and you'll get jokes about life in New York, London or Lagos – perhaps with a few added local observations they've amassed in their drive from the Abu Dhabi airport. While the best ones can pull that off well, few arrive with a truly global mindset. Noah is different, and always has been. He was, as he puts it himself, "born a crime" – the child of a then-illegal mixed marriage in apartheid-era South Africa. And since then, he's become perhaps the pre-eminent third culture kid, living across the world and embracing a mixed identity that has made him a perennial outsider. As a result, Noah has spent his life trying to explain why the world is the way it is – a pursuit that has made him a student of history and a keen observer of current events. That remains his greatest asset, along with his deeply moral perspective, keen eye for observation and sharp wit that allows him to riff on whatever his audience may throw at him. He's at his best when all these skills are clicking at once. About an hour into his latest set in Abu Dhabi, he launched into a bit that was among his top material to date – pointing out that the bloody colonial history of some countries is more easily forgotten than others. 'The French were nearly as bad as the English. They went around colonising – maiming, torturing, destroying. The Portuguese basically invented the slave trade. The Spanish demolished entire civilisations for gold, which was worthless at the time,' Noah observed. 'What makes them different? I noticed one thing – these places had really focused on their food. Like my grandmother told me as a child, if you know how to cook, you can make people forget anything. 'Belgium is responsible for one of the worst massacres in African history. Now all we think of is waffles,' he continued. This is exactly the kind of comedy that his educated audience desires from him, and what sets him so far apart from his peers. But there is another side to Noah. When he's not political, his clean, observational comedy – which made up the first hour of his latest set of all-new material – resembles Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, albeit less sardonic. For the first half an hour, he spoke entirely about airports, telling an extended story about the inconsistent rules placed on passengers with many twists and turns. Then, he spoke about babies. The material was fine, but it's not what makes Noah stand out. But Noah is seemingly tired of having to be political all the time. That's likely part of why he left The Daily Show in 2022, and why his pursuits since leaving have been so varied, from launching his own podcast to writing a children's book. Yes, politics will always be a part of his being, but he's also Jay Leno, and he's happiest when he can be both. 'It's the strangest thing. I'll be out somewhere, living my life, and people will come up to me and say, 'Trevor, I was wondering why you didn't say anything about the economy in your last set,' Noah said. 'So while I'm still here, is there anything you would like me to talk about?' Screams from across the audience echoed in near-unison: 'Donald Trump!' 'I was hoping we wouldn't talk about him,' Noah sighed, before launching into 12 minutes of improvised material about the US President. While there were several hilarious observations throughout, Noah does fall back on some of the rhetorical trappings that are common in liberal-minded communities. He focuses a lot on hypocrisy and masked intentions, for example – bothered more by the fact that people don't say what they really mean, even if they mean something malicious. He mused that none of what's happening now should be surprising if you were paying attention earlier. And those are easy observations to make, as they let you off the hook from taking a real stance on the subjects at hand. Those are the limits of observational humour. It relegates the conversation to reaction rather than prescription. They're comments from the peanut gallery. Noah would be powerful as a philosophical activist comedian if he so chose, but that's simply not what interests him. Perhaps as he continues to hone his powers, he will evolve into one. But even if he doesn't, his audience will remain loyal to him either way.

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Al Etihad

4 days ago

• Al Etihad

It's laugh-a-minute at Abu Dhabi Comedy Season this week

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Time Out Abu Dhabi

4 days ago

• Time Out Abu Dhabi

Comedy's biggest names are touching down in Abu Dhabi – book your tickets now

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Int'l Cricket Council

09-06-2025

• Int'l Cricket Council

Seven new inductees added to ICC Hall of Fame

The ICC announced seven new additions to the ICC Hall of Fame on Monday, with a large group of former greats added as the latest inductees. ICC Chair Jay Shah welcomed the new members to the Hall of Fame at a gala event at Abbey Road Studios in London. "Through the ICC Hall of Fame, we pay tribute to the finest players the game has seen, individuals whose remarkable careers have shaped cricket's legacy and inspired generations," Shah said. 'This year, we are privileged to induct seven truly outstanding individuals into this prestigious group. On behalf of the ICC, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of them and hope they cherish this well-deserved recognition as a defining moment in their cricketing journey.' 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"The ICC Hall of Fame includes many of my heroes of yesteryear as well as contemporaries whom I admired and enjoyed competing against," he said. "Each of these players gave something to the game in their own way. It is incredible to be recognised along with them." Hashim Amla 124 Tests – 9,282 runs at an average of 46.64 181 ODIs – 8,113 runs at an average of 49.46 44 T20Is – 1,277 runs at an average of 33.60 A calm and composed top-order batter, South Africa's steady head Hashim Amla is a well deserved member of the ICC Hall of Fame . Amla's overall record was top class in Test cricket and perhaps even more outstanding in the 50-over format as the underrated right-hander scored bulk runs against every opposition and in all conditions. With a superb cover drive and a trademark leg-side flick, Amla was a mode of consistency and a reliable member of a powerful South African side that scaled the heights to become the No.1 ranked Test team during his long and distinguished career. Amla dominated bowling attacks for much of his 15-year international career, becoming the first South African to score a triple century when he hit an unbeaten 311* against England in 2012 when he was at the top of his game. A total of 55 international centuries shows exactly how good Amla was and the South African great is a welcome inductee into the ICC Hall of Fame. The South African said it was a great honour to receive the recognition alongside former teammate Graeme Smith. "It is an honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, especially alongside Graeme," Amla said. "The Hall of Fame includes some of the most celebrated players in the history of cricket, all of whom have big achievements. Such recognition feels surreal, and I am really thankful." The Master of Class | Hashim Amla | ICC Hall of Fame 90 Tests – 4,876 runs at an average of 38.08, 294 dismissals 350 ODIs – 10,773 runs at an average of 50.57, 444 dismissals 98 T20Is – 1,617 runs at an average of 37.60, 91 dismissals MS Dhoni produced so many highlights throughout his lengthy international career and is a popular inclusion into the ICC Hall of Fame. His most memorable moment came when he produced one of his trademark helicopter shots when hitting the winning runs for India at the 2011 edition of the ICC Men's cricket World Cup, but there was so much more to the inspirational skipper. Dhoni was ahead of his time with the way he kept wickets in all formats, but perhaps excelled most against the white-ball when he was well renowned for his ability to time a run chase to perfection in the dying overs. The Indian great remains the only captain to win all three ICC white-ball tournaments, having led India to success at the inaugural ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2007, the 50-over World Cup in 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Dhoni said it was a great thrill to be inducted alongside so many great players. "It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world," he said. "To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever." India's Captain Cool | MS Dhoni | ICC Hall of Fame 117 Tests – 9,265 runs at an average of 48.25, 8 wickets 197 ODIs – 6,989 runs at an average of 37.98, 18 wickets 33 T20Is – 982 runs at an average of 31.67 A superb opening batter and arguably an even better captain, Graeme Smith is a welcome addition to the ICC Hall of Fame . Smith forged a great career as a tough and uncompromising top-order batter and was thrust into the captaincy role he relished at the young age of 22. He excelled in this position in what was a high-class South African side and hit new heights as a batter while captaining the team. Smith felt great pride in receiving induction into the Hall of Fame. 'It feels amazing to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame alongside some legendary cricketers, all of whom have made significant contributions to the game in their own way," he said. "This is also a proud moment for South Africa, as two of us have got recognition this year.' Proteas' Relentless Leader | Graeme Smith | ICC Hall of Fame graeme SMITH HALL OF FAME (2025-06-09 13:36:12Z) 113 Tests – 4,531 runs at an average of 30.00, 362 wickets 295 ODIs – 2,253 runs at an average of 17.33, 305 wickets 34 T20Is – 205 runs at an average of 12.81, 38 wickets An outstanding left-arm spin bowler, who was a more than handy middle to lower-order batter, Daniel Vettori joins the ICC Hall of Fame . Vettori paved out an excellent career as a player and was one of just three players to score 4,000 runs and take 300 wickets in Test cricket. He was also an excellent captain for the Black Caps, taking over from Stephen Fleming and leading the side to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009. Now an assistant coach with the Australian team, Vettori was in London to receive his Hall of Fame induction in person. 'Looking at the past inductees of the ICC Hall of Fame, one can see the outstanding talent and contribution they made to the growth and popularity of the game," Vettori said. "To gain recognition alongside them is simply overwhelming and I can't find words to describe the feeling.' New Zealand's Spin Maestro | Daniel Vettori | ICC Hall of Fame Sana Mir 120 ODIs – 1,630 runs at an average of 17.91, 151 wickets 106 T20Is – 802 runs at an average of 14.07, 89 wickets Sana Mir becomes the first Pakistan women to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame , following a superb international career. With more than 200 international wickets against the white-ball, Mir is renowned for her work on the field and off the field. Mir was well known for her strong stance on body shaming, prioritising mental health and helped people affected by the COVID pandemic and fulfils a childhood dream by joining the ICC Hall of Fame. 'From dreaming as a little girl that one day there would even be a women's team in our country to now standing here, inducted among the very legends I idolised long before I ever held a bat or a ball – this is a moment I couldn't have dared to imagine," she said. 'I am incredibly grateful for this honour and hope to give back to the sport in any way I can. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my teammates, coaches and family for all their support over the years.' Pakistan's Trailblazer | Sana Mir | ICC Hall of Fame 10 Tests – 300 runs at an average of 18.75, 20 dismissals 126 ODIs – 4,056 runs at an average of 38.26, 138 dismissals 90 T20Is – 2,177 runs at an average of 29.02, 74 dismissals One of the most talented female players in recent times, England's star keeper-batter Sarah Taylor joins the ICC Hall of Fame following a 14-year career at international level . While Taylor was renowned for her sensational glovework behind the stumps and her trademark leg-side stumpings, she was also an extremely capable top-order batter and her record in big games gives further indication of this. Taylor played a major role in helping England win the double of the ICC Women's cricket World Cup and ICC women's T20 World Cup in 2009 and then stepped up once again at the backend of the 2017 50-over World Cup triumph on home soil by top-scoring for her side in the semi-final victory over South Africa and then producing an equally important innings of 45 in the title decider with India. Taylor said it was one of the biggest highlights of her career to receive induction into the Hall of Fame. "Being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame is one of the best moments of my life and truly feels like a dream come true," Taylor said. "Women's cricket has been thriving in recent years, and receiving this award during such a significant time makes it even more special. I am grateful to the members of the ICC Hall of Fame selection panel for this recognition." England's wicketkeeping pioneer | Sarah Taylor | ICC Hall of Fame