Old City Comedy Club founder Ali Biber answers 12punto's questions: The changing sense of humor in Turkey

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On social media, users frequently encounter today's comedy clubs and their stand-up comedians. Political, offensive, or dark humor-themed shows are making stand-up increasingly popular. Ali Biber, the founder of Old City Comedy Club,, spoke to 12punto about the current understanding of stand-up.

Biber says that the Old City Comedy Club, which he founded, serves as an origin story for today's comedy clubs.

In a period where political and dark humor, as well as female stand-up comedians, are on the rise and  becoming more popular, how do you evaluate this change from your own perspective?

“The origin story of all this began in Beyoğlu with the Old City Comedy Club. It was the only venue where both female and male stand-up comedians could take the stage and meet their audience. I think everything, including stand-up, becomes popular in some way when done in moderation. Humor has become our country's most important medium of self-expression in recent times. As the right environment for humor to develop was created and as good storytellers, variety performers, and stand-up comedians—or as the old timers called them, 'meddahs'—who could integrate this with the public began to multiply, popularity naturally started to increase.”

While the concept of free humor is occasionally hindered, venues like TuzBiber Stand-Up comedy clubs are spreading as an alternative. Do you have any concerns about this being obstructed?

“This story started with Old City Comedy Club and continues with venues like BKM Mutfak, TuzBiber, Efsahne Beyoğlu, and Infiniti. For a person to be a stand-up comedian means they are a smart and intelligent person. Do you think these people get stuck on such obstacles? I don't think they do. Exceptions can happen in every sector. In this regard, I trust the young stand-up comedians completely.”

Have you or any of your colleagues ever faced an investigation due to the humor you perform? Do you practice self-censorship for this reason?

“I have been in this business for a very long time. I only remember one instance. That was a very young friend of ours. I have not encountered a similar investigation or anything of the sort myself. As for self-censorship, everyone is naturally a bit careful. On this matter, I personally am in favor of being careful.”

What kind of audience do you appeal to? Can we say that the socio-economic profiles of the audience you reach are a reflection of the polarization in society?

“While the audience we cater to is predominantly made up of the white-collar workers often mentioned lately, people from all walks of life can attend.  After all, there is a cost to going out at night in our country, and people who are in a bad economic situation do not attend such events anyway. If we calculate for an average of two people, including tickets, transportation, food, and so on, it comes out to a cost of around 1,000 TL. Based on this, the profiles of the audience that comes are more or less clear.

I think stand-up plays a unifying role rather than a polarizing one. I believe humor is very important. It brings people together, integrates them, and makes our people happy.”