Global comedy news round-up

BELARUS: Russian comedian Artemy Ostanin has reportedly been subjected to brutal treatment from Belarusian authorities after he was arrested trying to flee his homeland, where a joke angered officials.

The comic had been denounced for allegedly mocking those wounded in the war on Ukraine in a routine about an encounter with a legless beggar in the Moscow metro. 

According to reports from Belarusian human rights group Viasna,Ostanin was taken to the forest, where three people started beating him. Quoting reports on Telegram, they say officers broke his ribs, fractured his vertebrae and shaved off his dreadlocks after intercepting him in Minsk. The group shared a picture said to show his injuries.

They also took a photograph of him with a meat grinder hanging around his neck in a reference to another of his lines about the gruelling conditions on the Ukrainian front line.

Having been returned to Moscow, Ostanin went before a court that detained him until at least May 15 on charges of insulting a soldier who took part in Russia’s 'special military occupation' in Ukraine. He could face up to six years in prison.

The comic told news site Ostorozhno Novosti that he had never even mentioned Ukraine and that the joke was about 'a beggar on the Metro who has been drifting around without legs for 20 years'.

USA: Lenny Schultz, a stand-up whose physical comedy influenced later comedians like Robin Williams, Gallagher and Carrot Top died at his home in Delray Beach, Florida of natural causes at the age of 91. 

INDIA: Darshan, a dwarf comedian known for social media posts, has been  sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor girl. The girl, whose age has not been reported, alleged that the comedian lured her under the pretext of casting her in one of his videos.

ARGENTINA: Comedian Antonio Gasalla, best known for his old woman alter-ego Mamá Casa has died in Buenos Aires at the age of 84. His screen credits included the 1985 film comedy Esperando La Carroza.

IRELAND: Amy Huberman has launched her own wine, called Ah Wines, The comedian, influence and wife of former international rugby ace Brian O’Driscoll is working with Spanish winemakers on the Sauvignon Blanc and Brut Rosé. She posted on Instagram: 'Our business has grown from a little grape seed over the last three years right up today; just days away from launching.'

Published: 22 Mar 2025