Arj Barker

Arj Barker
Birth name Arjan Singh Aulakh
Born (1974-08-12) August 12, 1974
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Medium Stand-up, television
Nationality American
Years active 1989–present[1]
Genres Observational, satire
Influences Blaine Capatch, Vernon Chatman,[1] Mitch Hedberg, Brian Regan, Harry Hill, Eddie Izzard, Steven Wright, Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin[2]
Notable works and roles Dave on Flight of the Conchords
Website http://www.arjbarker.com

Arjan Singh (born August 12, 1974), known by the stage name Arj Barker,[3] is an American stand-up comedian and actor from San Anselmo, California. He has toured in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.[4] He was born to an engineer father and artist mother, and is half-Indian, half-European.[4] His father is of Sikh heritage.[3]

Career

Everyone's coming up to me half in tears, 'Arj what about Global Warming — what about Climate Change and the planet?' and everybody's convinced that the earth has a problem — because it's so hot. But how come I don't hear a single intelligent individual aside from myself suggest the seemingly obvious possibility that the Earth is just fine thank you — but there's something wrong with the sun! 'Cause I'm not a scientist, but I'm pretty sure that son of a bitch is where all the heat is coming from. And all I'm sayin' is, when I burn my toast, I don't blame the bread. [crowd cheering] Wow. You guys really love toast jokes.

Original Style Bits and Pieces, Dec 8, 2009, Brisbane

Barker started his career in comedy after graduating from high school in 1989. His first gigs were at an old cafe called Caffe Nuvo in downtown San Anselmo where he hosted stand-up night every Sunday throughout the early 1990s.[1] Barker appeared on Premium Blend in 1997, followed by appearances on the shows Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Glass House. He twice hosted Comedy Central Presents, first on September 20, 2000 and again on March 31, 2006. Barker was featured in Comedy Central's animated series Shorties Watchin' Shorties. He appeared on the Australian show Thank God You're Here on October 18, 2006, September 19, 2007 and June 17, 2009.

Barker co-wrote and performed in The Marijuana-Logues, an Off-Broadway show in New York, with Doug Benson and Tony Camin. The title of the show was a parody of The Vagina Monologues. NBC gave Barker the lead role for sitcom Nearly Nirvana, originally scheduled for 2004. However, Barker was replaced in the lead role by the show's creator, Ajay Sahgal, and the show never aired.[5]

Barker appeared in the HBO sitcom Flight of the Conchords, playing Bret and Jemaine's indifferent friend Dave.[6][7] Barker has enjoyed success in Australia for a number of years since first appearing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2000, and presently resides there.[8]

Arj and Poopy

Barker also has his own Flash series, Arj and Poopy, based on some of his stand-up material, that stars him and his cat, Poopy, who talks by farting.[9] The series is animated by Bernard Derriman, and has been syndicated to AtomFilms.[10]

The episode "Unlucky in Love" won the Annecy International Animated Film Festival Internet Selection in 2006.[11]

List of episodes

  1. "Experimentation"
  2. "Venetian Rowing Machine"
  3. "Philosopher"
  4. "Brutally Ambushed"
  5. "Long Distance Relationship"
  6. "Shpants"
  7. "Unlucky in Love"
  8. "Yoga"
  9. "Oh, Christmas tree"
  10. "Congo Windfall"
  11. "Poetreet"

Last Comic Standing

Barker was featured as a contestant on the first episode of the fifth season of Last Comic Standing, where he advanced to the Los Angeles semi-final round. He then failed to progress to the final 10 in the semi-final round.

Media

Albums

Year Album
1999 Arj Barker: Issue Were Here
2010 Arj Barker: LYAO

DVD releases

Year Album
2006 Live
2008 Balls
2010 Forever
2010 LYAO
2012 Joy Harvest
2013 Heavy
2015 Go Time

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Comedian Arj Barker Reflects on Marin Upbringing". February 7, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  2. ↑ http://www.liberationfrequency.co.uk/arj-barker-interview/
  3. 1 2 "A Conversation With Arj Barker". April 29, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Arj Barker's Biography: Chortle :The UK Comedy Guide". Retrieved May 17, 2010.
  5. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (October 21, 2004). "The Vine: NBC finds new 'Nirvana' lead". www.hollywoodreporter.com. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
  6. ↑ "HBO: Arj Barker as Dave: Flight of the Conchords".
  7. ↑ Ryan, Andrew (May 10, 2010). "Conchords fly back for one last TV season". CTVglobemedia Publishing Inc. Archived from the original on May 14, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
  8. ↑ Rogan, Joe (February 2011). "The Joe Rogan Experience feat. Eddie Ifft; Podcast 77". Ustream.tv. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  9. ↑ Arj and Poopy
  10. ↑ AtomFilms: Arj & Poopy series
  11. ↑ "Unlucky in Love". Annecy 2006: Award Winning Films. Annecy.org. Retrieved October 21, 2007.

External links

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