Language, food, clothes and lifestyles vary across ethnic groups and geographical regions, but to Lebanese American comedian Nemr Abou Nassar, humor transcends all cultural barriers; it is universal.

That is why, throughout his career, Nemr has been able to make people across the world— from the United States to the Middle East— laugh. 

“Laughter and comedy bring people together,” he said in a phone interview with The Arab American News. “Put two Lebanese people in a room and at a certain point they will have a debate and argue. The power of comedy is that it tells you there is no need to talk about any issues.”

Nemr added that Arabs are passionate people, which is a positive that can also be a negative when it comes to arguments. 

“A catalyst like comedy makes disagreements run smoother,” he said. 

The comedian said the cosmopolitan nature of the Lebanese identity helps people anywhere relate to his humor. 

“Being Lebanese is international,” he said. “It is bigger than a geographical location.”

He added that whether he is performing in Los Angeles or Amman, his message is the same: “Let’s laugh and have a good time.”

Nemr has had sold-out shows in several cities across the world and hosted a live standup comedy show on Lebanese radio. He performs in English.

“I am very sexy and people want to see it,” he responded when asked about his success. He then switched to a serious answer, saying that his jokes avoid issues that remind fans of their stress or sadness. 

With the exception of a few countries, freedom of speech is restricted in the Arab World, which could be problematic to comedians. However, Nemr said he has hardly ever been the target of censorship because he refrains from discussing politics and religion in his shows. 

“I talk about society,” he said. “To me, the social contract beneath politics and religion is the most important. Politicians don’t solve anything.” 

He added that some sexual themes come up in his shows, but they don’t cause a backlash from the audience. 

“In some ways there is more censorship in the U.S. than Lebanon.” Nemr said. “There are things you can say on the radio in Lebanon that you can’t in the U.S.”

Nemr, who has visited Michigan previously, is performing at Comedy Castle in Royal Oak on Sunday, April 12.

He said the local Arab American community is more Arab than the Arab World itself. 

“It’s like walking in a village in Lebanon,” he said of Michigan’s Arab American neighborhoods.

Nemr expressed his fondness for the Lebanese and Arabs expatriates.

“I would like to thank them for their support and love,” he said. “Wherever they are, they’re still preserving their values and showing the world who we are. I am proud of Arab communities across the world. I want to make them laugh.”

However, he stressed that his comedy appeals to people of all cultures and ethnicities, not only Arabs.

Despite his sense of internationalism, Nemr takes pride in being Lebanese. “We have one of the best comedians and one of the best porn stars in the world,” he said referring to himself and Lebanese American adult entertainer Mia Khalifa. “Whatever we do, we’re going to be the greatest.”