Show Notes

Shazia Mirza was born in Birmingham, England—the eldest daughter of Muslim parents who moved from Pakistan to Birmingham in the 1960s. About a year into her comedy career, after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Mirza performed a routine which began "My name is Shazia Mirza. At least, that's what it says on my pilot's licence". The routine was widely commented upon, and she was profiled as a ground breaking comedian on CBS's 60 Minutes. Shazia has been a columnist for The Guardian since 2008. Her show 'The Kardashians Made Me Do It' premiered at Kilburn's Tricycle Theatre and went on to sell out runs at London's Soho Theatre. The show was a satire on offence and political correctness and was critically well received. It also toured for 103 performances in Europe. Her comedy is said to push barriers and as a comedian she is often referred to as 'brave'. I talked to her straight after she had been to meet members of The Royal Family.