Satirist’s are hired for their ability to discover what unites and what differentiates – juxtaposing two concepts and finding the humour that fizzes from the ether. Certainly Jerry Seinfeld has been dining out on observational comedy for years. Jerome Chandrahasen therefore cannot do much wrong with basing an entire show around this simple satirical device – hence the name, Same Same Different.

Chandrahasen’s show buzzes around many concepts such as the similarities between the Big Save Furniture Warehouse’s seemingly overflowing warehouses and our Prime Minister’s decision to go to war, but he largely focuses on New Zealand identity – what unites us as Kiwis and what makes us so different to any other culture on the planet. Chandrahasen is refreshing in so far that he strays away from cheap gags and tired observations. He presents a refreshing intelligent look at what makes humans tick that possess a unique voice but is all too familiar. 

Jerome Chandrahasen casts himself as an intrepid yet hapless investigator of the human experience, a guise he suits perfectly. In a show about comparing cultures, it could be easy to rely on stereotypes. Instead we find Chandrahasen himself is the butt of many of his jokes, such as how his inability to express satisfaction at sighting a Kea in a Salt Lake City Zoo leads to (spoiler averted). 

A lot of his humour comes from wanting to befriend other people and there is a refreshing sincerity to his set. There is nothing imposing or confrontational about his humour. His set is intelligent, perceptive and wonderfully satirical. There may not be many big belly laughs but he puts on 60 minutes worth of comedy which just washes over you and puts you at ease on a wet and windy Wellington evening.

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