Edgy Comedian Mo Amer To Film Netflix Special In Austin

AUSTIN, TX — Internationally renown comedian Mo Amer — a performer unafraid to tackle such polarizing issues as immigration and policing as well as relating his experiences as an American Muslim — will film his first Netflix original special right here in Austin at the iconic Paramount Theater, officials announced on Tuesday.

Two live tapings will take place on Thursday, June 28th at the Paramount, 713 Congress Ave. The back-to-back shows will be open to the public at 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., both of which will be taped for the special’s release later this year, organizers said in an email to Patch.

Tickets to both tapings are available now for purchase at austintheatre.org. Tickets are $15, but for a special early bird offer, enter the coupon code “Netflix” for $5 off. The offer expires June 1, so comedy fans are encouraged to reserve their seats today.

Amer has raised his comedic profile over the last five years by performing hundreds of shows on the road with Dave Chappelle, including at Chappelle’s historic Radio City Music Hall residency and multiple Netflix tapings (Austin, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles), as well as Austin City Limits.

The years spent touring domestically and around the world, as well as his time working with Chappelle, have honed Mo’s unique comic voice, perspective, and cadence, his representatives noted. "Truly an original voice in American standup, Mo has a diverse comedy range that appeals to a broad audience," officials wrote. "He often takes on social issues like immigration, policing of minorities, and being an American Muslim—lightening the mood by injecting comedy and absurdity into these typically weighty topics."

While nothing is off limits, Mo’s performances include a variety of airy observations and experiences, decoding culture through seriously funny punchlines, his representatives added. He's a Texan, too, after an upbringing in Houston. Given these roots, it was important to him to record his first Netflix special in Texas—for a home-crowd where he first stepped on stage, his reps said.

“When Netflix asked where I wanted to film my special, of course I was going to choose Texas!,” Amer said in a prepared statement. “Where better for comedy than the Paramount Theatre. I spent my early years touring the south, and Austin was always a special stop before returning to Houston. So, I know this will be a night to remember.”

Last year, Mo was named a “Comedian You Need to Know” by Rolling Stone and performed at the legendary Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. His television credits include Crashing (HBO), @midnight (Comedy Central), and theLate Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS). He also made international headlines when a chance airline upgrade landed him seated next to Eric Trump on a trans-Atlantic flight just weeks after the 2016 Presidential Election. The story of an Arab-American Muslim refugee sitting and chatting with the POTUS’ son went viral, and of course translated into comedy gold.

Tickets to both live tapings of Mo Amer’s Netflix Original Comedy Special at the Paramount Theatre at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. on June 28th are available now at austintheatre.org for $15. If you purchase before June 1st, don’t forget to use the coupon code “Netflix” for $5 off the ticket price. For more information on Mo, please visit: www.moamer.com. You can also follow him on Instagram & Twitter @realmoamer.

For a taste of his comedic style, watch Mo performing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert online below:

>>> Top image: Mo Amer, courtesy photo