Joe Avati
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Joe Avati (born 1974) is an Italian-Australian comedian who is popular amongst Italians living in Australia (and also Canada, where he has performed his routine on several occasions).
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[edit] Comedic style
His parents are from Calabria in Southern Italy and the majority of his dialogue is spoken in the southern dialect. The minority is spoken in English, and Avati combines the two languages to create a unique style.
Avati's observational brand of comedy have earned him comparisons to Jerry Seinfeld, and in promotions he is referred to as "the Italian Seinfeld". His observations are drawn from the life around his Italian family, particularly his experiences growing up. The characters that Avati mentions are almost universal in Italian families, which is why audiences are able to identify with him.
[edit] Notable routines
His most notable routines are that of "Bringing Home Kim" about an Italian man bringing an Australian woman home to introduce to his parents. "The Songs" in which he speaks of how songs originated in Italy. His most popular one being how reggae started in Calabria quoting "You know Bob Marley? It was his old man "Non Ce Male" (male being the Italian word for sick). But his most famous routine is that of Nonno's Car Accident. This is about a nonno (Italian for grandfather) who is rear ended by a Chinese man. The most notable part of the routine is when the nonno gets out of his car and approaches the Chinese gentleman. "Excuse me you mi smashau mi caro what's your name et como ti chiami thank you? The Chinese man replies by saying "Mi ciuncai" (which in Calabrese means "I hurt myself").
[edit] Career
He kicked off his career by releasing a tape entitled "Live and Unpluggato" in 1999 which was placed on the internet as a downloadable piece for anyone worldwide. He also released Livin' la Dole-Cheque Vita in 2000.
There is some material available on CD and DVD featuring Avati including a double CD entitled "The Best of Joe Avati Live" while a popular DVD called "Joe Avati Live in Canada".
Avati is now in the middle of shooting a feature film about the Italian life in Australia.
