Mo Amer - Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Transcript

Dax Shepard (0:00)

Wondry plus subscribers can listen to Armchair Expert early and ad free right now. Join Wondry plus in the Wondry app or on Apple Podcasts or you can listen for free wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome, welcome, welcome to Armchair Expert. I'm Dax Shepard and I'm joined by Monica Padman.

Monica Padman (0:18)

Hi.

Dax Shepard (0:19)

Today we have Mo Amer on. Yeah, I'm a big fan of Mo.

Monica Padman (0:23)

Mo is great.

Dax Shepard (0:24)

Mo is a stand up comedian and an award winning writer. I first saw him on Rami, which is another show I Friend of the Pod where he plays Mo in that but not our Mo in Mo.

Monica Padman (0:37)

Mo plays Mo in that but then in his show he's a different. He's a different Mo.

Dax Shepard (0:42)

He's a different Mo, but very similar. Also Black Adam and two standup specials on Netflix. Mo Amer, the vagabond and Mohammed in Texas and he's on tour right now with El Oso Palestino tour, which is the Palestinian bear. Yeah, that's what that translates to.

Monica Padman (1:03)

This was so interesting.

Dax Shepard (1:05)

Another incredible story. We're just coming off of John's story and then now we have this.

Monica Padman (1:10)

We're getting some epic tales in this.

Dax Shepard (1:12)

Garage are also very kean.

Monica Padman (1:15)

Yeah, I was thinking a lot about key during this episode.

Dax Shepard (1:18)

Yeah, we're accumulating some wild. You can really take some circuitous paths to this town of Hollywood.

Monica Padman (1:23)

That's right.

Dax Shepard (1:24)

Please enjoy Mo Amer. We are supported by Britbox. There are some incredible shows coming out of the UK right now. The clever writing, the picturesque settings, the witty dialogue, they just do TV differently across the pond in the best way. And you know, they're the masters of charming mysteries set in quaint little villages where three people die a week. Not only do they have a huge selection of classics like Pride and Prejudice, but their new original shows are insanely good too. Especially Ludwig with David Mitchell from Peepshow. He play the introverted puzzle maker guy who accidentally becomes a detective and solves murders like they're crosswords. It's twisty and clever and an absolute treat to watch. So if you want to mix it up and see things differently, try Britbox and stream the best British TV. Go to Britbox.com and start a free trial. Today we are supported by Squarespace and boy, do we have a gorgeous website. I implore everyone to check out. We made it on Squarespace. And when I say we, I mean Rob. He did a beautiful job and it was very easy for him to do. So no matter what kind of website you to build, Squarespace is the perfect partner to get it launched quickly and easily and their design templates are going to make your site look incredible too. If you're trying to do some good this year, you can use Squarespace to set up a fundraising site. Let's say you wanted to raise money for first responders or families impacted by the recent fires here in la. You can fundraise directly on your Squarespace website and grow your impact with built in donation tools. Create a professional on brand site that makes it easy to accept one time or recurring contributions and engage supporters. With built in email campaigns and marketing marketing tools you can connect with your community and inspire more people to support your cause. They're making it easier for you to make a difference. Another reason Squarespace is a company we're proud to be partnered with. Check out squarespace.com for a free trial and when you're ready to launch, use offer code DAX to save 10 off your first purchase of a website or domain. That's squarespace.com and promo code DAX to get started today. He's an opt do you get anxiety before you go out on a talk show that you're gonna have to pee once you get out there?

Summary

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard: Episode Featuring Mo Amer Released on May 12, 2025

Introduction to Mo Amer

In this heartfelt and engaging episode of Armchair Expert, host Dax Shepard is joined by his co-host Monica Padman to welcome Mo Amer, a Palestinian stand-up comedian and award-winning writer. Dax expresses his admiration for Mo, highlighting his appearances on shows like Ramy and his own Netflix specials, The Vagabond and Mohammed in Texas. Mo is currently on his "El Oso Palestino" (The Palestinian Bear) tour, blending his comedic talents with his cultural heritage.

Mo Amer's Early Life in Kuwait

Mo shares his upbringing in Kuwait, providing listeners with a glimpse into his family's life before the Gulf War. Born to Palestinian parents, his father was a telecommunications engineer who played a pivotal role in establishing one of Kuwait's first radio stations.

Notable Quote:

Mo Amer [21:04]: "My father built one of the first radio stations in Kuwait. He was instrumental in creating wireless communication between oil rigs."

The Gulf War and Its Impact on Mo's Family

Mo recounts the harrowing experience of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. At just nine years old, he witnessed his family's home being ransacked and his father being kidnapped. This traumatic event forced his mother to make the difficult decision to send Mo and his sister to the United States for safety.

Notable Quote:

Mo Amer [24:52]: "They were threatening to throw a grenade in our bedroom. It was chaos, and everything changed overnight."

Immigration to the United States and Challenges Faced

Relocating to Houston, Texas, Mo and his sister navigated life as immigrants without Kuwaiti citizenship. He discusses the complexities of being stateless and the challenges that come with waiting for asylum, including the inability to work legally until obtaining a Social Security card.

Notable Quote:

Mo Amer [46:00]: "I took 20 years before I got citizenship. But when I turned 18, I was able to get a Social Security card. Before that, I couldn't work legally."

The Burden of Representation

Mo delves into the responsibilities that come with being a successful Palestinian in America. He feels the weight of representing his community and addressing complex political issues through his comedy, striving to balance humor with meaningful commentary.

Notable Quote:

Dax Shepard [07:22]: "If you want to be political, great, but having to inherit that on top of everything else seems like a weird reward."

Mo Amer's Comedy Career and Breakthroughs

Mo's journey into stand-up comedy began in high school, where his English teachers recognized his comedic talent and encouraged him to perform. This encouragement led him to pursue comedy seriously, eventually headlining shows and touring internationally, even performing for military audiences in various countries.

Notable Quote:

Mo Amer [50:03]: "By the time I was 19, I was already headlining shows and traveling overseas without a passport."

Behind the Scenes of Mo Amer's TV Show

Mo discusses the creation of his TV show, which intertwines his personal experiences with comedy and drama. He reflects on the emotional toll of reenacting his family's experiences during the Gulf War and the impact of integrating real-life footage into his narrative.

Notable Quote:

Mo Amer [60:02]: "I feel like this second season is a masterpiece. Episode seven is something so unique — tender, thoughtful, sweet, heartfelt, and funny."

Emotional Reflections and Discoveries

A particularly moving moment in the episode is when Mo discovers old family footage, including a camcorder his father used to film family moments in Kuwait. Viewing this footage brings back powerful emotions and a deeper understanding of his family's resilience.

Notable Quote:

Mo Amer [68:27]: "I caught footage of me as a little kid in our house in Kuwait. It was insane to get footage from my dad that I didn't know existed anymore."

Recognition and Awards

Mo expresses pride in his show's accolades, including its perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes and recognition from prestigious bodies like the Peabody Awards. He shares his hope that his storytelling will continue to shed light on Palestinian experiences and promote understanding.

Notable Quote:

Mo Amer [73:45]: "The balance was perfect, and it let us take people on this ride and let the story do the talking."

Closing Remarks

As the episode winds down, Mo reflects on the importance of storytelling in comedy and the ongoing challenges artists like himself face in balancing humor with advocacy. Dax and Monica commend Mo for his candidness and the depth he brings to his work.

Highlighted Quotes with Timestamps

Mo Amer [21:04]: "My father built one of the first radio stations in Kuwait. He was instrumental in creating wireless communication between oil rigs."
Mo Amer [24:52]: "They were threatening to throw a grenade in our bedroom. It was chaos, and everything changed overnight."
Mo Amer [46:00]: "I took 20 years before I got citizenship. But when I turned 18, I was able to get a Social Security card. Before that, I couldn't work legally."
Dax Shepard [07:22]: "If you want to be political, great, but having to inherit that on top of everything else seems like a weird reward."
Mo Amer [50:03]: "By the time I was 19, I was already headlining shows and traveling overseas without a passport."
Mo Amer [60:02]: "I feel like this second season is a masterpiece. Episode seven is something so unique — tender, thoughtful, sweet, heartfelt, and funny."
Mo Amer [68:27]: "I caught footage of me as a little kid in our house in Kuwait. It was insane to get footage from my dad that I didn't know existed anymore."
Mo Amer [73:45]: "The balance was perfect, and it let us take people on this ride and let the story do the talking."

Conclusion

This episode of Armchair Expert masterfully blends comedy with poignant storytelling, offering listeners an intimate look into Mo Amer's life as a Palestinian immigrant navigating the complexities of identity, representation, and personal trauma. Mo's candid conversations provide both laughter and profound insights, celebrating resilience and the human spirit.