Konstantin Kisin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Konstantin Kisin in 2019

Konstantin Kisin (Russian: Константин Кисин) is a Russian-British comedian and political commentator. Kisin regularly writes for a number of publications including Quillette, The Spectator, The Daily Telegraph and Standpoint on issues relating to tech censorship, woke culture, comedy and so-called "culture war" topics. He has co-hosted Triggernometry since 2018, a YouTube channel and podcast featuring fellow co-host and comedian Francis Foster. The show is dedicated to free speech and open discussion on a range of controversial topics, featuring guests from diverse backgrounds.[1]

Career[]

In 2018 Kisin made headlines when he refused to sign a "behavioural agreement" form explaining a "no tolerance policy" with regard to racism, sexism, classism, ageism, homophobia, biphobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-religion and anti-atheism[2] when asked to perform at a fundraising gig for UNICEF at SOAS, University of London. The form explained those topics were not banned, but stated the topics should be discussed in a "respectful and non-abusive way" and must be presented in a way that is "kind".[3][4] After Kisin refused to agree to those terms and chose not to perform, the UNICEF on Campus society at SOAS apologised and clarified they did not wish to "impose that guests would have to agree to anything they do not believe in". The SOAS Students' Union said that it did not require external speakers to sign any contract before appearances, and that the UNICEF on Campus society had been "overzealous" in interpreting the guidelines.[5][6][7][8]

Justifying his actions after it was revealed Kisin had agreed to similar restrictions for a different gig in 2017, he said he was "absolutely certain there was nothing about religion, atheism, respect or kindness in the rules [of the 2017 contract]. Had there been, I would not have agreed."[9]

Since April 2018 Kisin has been co-presenter of the show Triggernometry, a YouTube channel and podcast, with fellow British comedian Francis Foster. Guests have included Douglas Murray, Jordan Peterson, Andrew Doyle, Peter Hitchens, Mark Blyth, Andrew Adonis, Diana Fleischman, Scott Adams, Nicholas Gruen, Laurence Fox, Carl Benjamin, Melanie Phillips, Rod Liddle, John Curtice, Matthew Goodwin and Helen Dale.[10]

In 2019 he took his show Orwell That Ends Well to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to mixed reviews.[citation needed] The Daily Telegraph included the show in its list of best comedy shows of the Edinburgh Festival[11] while The Guardian said the "politics of the show were all over the place".[12][13][14][15][16] Since then, he has been touring the United Kingdom performing stand-up material and commenting on woke culture.[17][18][19]

References[]

  1. ^ "Triggernometry - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-01-01.
  2. ^ "Comedian refused to sign 'behavioural agreement' before gig". BBC News. BBC. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  3. ^ "Comedian refused to sign 'safe space contract'". BBC News. 2018-12-12. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  4. ^ @konstantinkisin (10 Dec 2018). "I just received an invitation to perform *comedy* at a university... The title of this "contract" nearly made me puke. @UnleashedComedy" (Tweet). Retrieved 2020-09-06 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "Comedians asked to sign 'behavioural agreement' for London university gig". independent.co.uk. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  6. ^ Hill, Amelia (2018-12-11). "Comedians asked to sign 'behavioural agreement' for Soas gig". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  7. ^ "Stand-up asked to sign safe space contract at London university". The Week UK. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  8. ^ "Comedian pulls out of charity show at SOAS over 'safe space' contract". Evening Standard. 2018-12-12. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  9. ^ Bennett, Steve. "When the safe-space row comedian WAS prepared to watch what he said : News 2018 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  10. ^ "Triggernometry". Retrieved 2020-06-20.
  11. ^ Monahan, Mark; Saunders, Tristram Fane; Cavendish, Dominic (30 August 2019). "Best comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe 2019: Reviews of 40 of this year's must see-comedians, including Jordan Brookes, Catherine Cohen and Laura Lexx". The Telegraph.
  12. ^ "Konstantin Kisin: Orwell That Ends Well | Review". The Wee Review | Scotland's arts and culture magazine. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  13. ^ "Konstantin Kisin: Orwell That Ends Well". The Student. 2019-08-08. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  14. ^ "Review: Konstantin Kisin: Orwell That Ends Well". Fest Magazine. 2019-08-03. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  15. ^ "Comedy Review: Konstantin Kisin: Orwell That Ends Well, Gilded Balloon Teviot (Venue 14), Edinburgh". scotsman.com. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  16. ^ Monahan, Mark; Saunders, Tristram Fane; Cavendish, Dominic (2019-08-30). "Best comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe 2019: reviews of 40 of this year's must see-comedians, including Jordan Brookes, Catherine Cohen and Laura Lexx". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  17. ^ Maxwell, Dominic (2020-01-21). "Geoff Norcott — the right-wing comic who is standing up for the working class". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  18. ^ Logan, Brian (2019-08-26). "From Titania McGrath to a Brexit party standup: is rightwing comedy on the rise?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  19. ^ "How Did My Ten Tips for Stardom Fare in 2019?". iaindale.com. Retrieved 2020-01-23.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""