WESSAM ALJUNDI

aka “ABU BATATA”

COMEDIC ACTOR

MUSICIAN

Instagram: @Therealbbs

Twitter: @MrAbuBatata

 

Q
When, how, who and what is Abu Batata?

A

 

Well that’s a good question. The character Abu Batata comes from me actually, watching my father, uncles and my dads best friend as I was growing up. So their biggest thing is wanting to be Americanized so badly, but they are still connected to the Middle Eastern culture. Its basically comedic to watch them try so hard. I grew up watching how they acted and decided to build a character behind it. Hence, “Abu Batata,” which means Father of Potatoes.

 

Here is the first Episode where we meet “Abu Batata” in Arab Driving School Part 1.

Q

Smoking in the car, turning Arab music up, calling people stupid – it feels oddly familiar. How did your family respond when they saw this? I showed my mother and she said, “No he is not a professional driving teacher, he didn’t take any money from black guy.”

A

 

Well any Middle Eastern family, or family in general, wants what is best for their children and for youth. So in the beginning, my family enjoyed the videos that I was making, thinking it was a hobby, and thought I was truly making a funny point on a lot of the ways Arabs and Middle Easterns drive – out of pure fun, but boy, was it a shock for them when they found out this is what I wanted to do in life, which was to be a Comedic Actor and travel the world. It wasn’t easy for me to convince them, but eventually they understood this was the path that I wanted.

Q
“Put za PRNDL in za D.” Pure genius. Has anyone made a song about it? If so, can you share it with us?

A

 

HAHA no song has been created yet for that but its something that just came to me mid shoot as we were in the middle of the scene and I ran with it. I never thought it would end up being one of the most signature lines from my comedy series, that saying (Put za PRNDL in za D) and said around the world and at my shows when they see me.

Endlessly hysterical.

Q
Arab Driving School Part 2.

Q

Arab Driving School Part 2 is when it dawned on me that some of the things at my family home are just standard Arab cultural practices. When Abu Batata is grilling “Black man/Cobe” and he gives him the answers he doesn’t want – there is so much disappointment! And his mother throwing the slipper, hahahhaha, yes, I know all about “My mother will feel my upset all the way over there and throw her shoe at you.” How do you think a non-Arab will cope in such a parentally controlled environment?

A

 

I think most non Arabs aren’t used to the way Arabs were raised and its kind of a shock to them. They are just not used to the screaming and being hard on their kids and its not them trying to harm or belittle their children, its just the way they act. I have non Arab friends who have grown up in my household as children and now realize that’s how we all are. Its fun for them now, they love it. Especially coming into my home and always being forced feed good food. Lol.

Middle-Eastern food is delicious.

Q
Arab Driving School Part 3.

The Chinese guy, Ugg Lee. He is a wonderful, wonderful character. I would expect nothing less from an Asian! I am beside myself watching him slap you around. Completely loved, “The ‘R’ doesn’t stand for rewind, it stands for return stupid.” Did you write his character? Why didn’t you do more with him? The both of you were such a good team.

 

A

 

Well “Ugg Lee” is actually a character created by someone named Moe Omar, who was an upcoming Comedian himself and I basically befriended him from a mutual friend from Chicago. So when I knew I had a show in Chicago, I made sure to get into contact with him because I wanted a completely different international character; besides Black, Arab, etc, and I believed an Asian, and the way they drive, is a whole comedy skit on its own!! That video received millions of views as well, which was great for his exposure too, but just like every great friendship, you sometimes have a fall out with others and things don’t go as planned, but I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.

Q
Arab Driving School Part 4

The Afghani student. This is interesting because you would think that another Arab would be a better driver, but he is worse than “Cobe” and “Ugg Lee”! He won’t even sit in the front, I like his effeminate style; he is very similar to how some of the Persians I have met are. Watching his refusal to follow your instructions and your frustration with it all is too much! I am wondering if you have ever considered a Jewish student for Arab Driving School?

 

A

 

That’s a good question actually, in Arab Driving School part 5 there is a Jewish character towards the end. I don’t mind working with and having Jewish friends. They actually are the nicest people ever, I truly believe you cannot judge someone on their religion or nationality, you must judge someone by their heart and who they are as a person.

Truer than true.

Q
“The D is not for don’t drop the dun dun dun (thun thun thun).” Batata is terrified for his life. Your videos are anything but PC. What kind of feedback do you get for your particular brand of cross-cultural shenanigans? I’m biased because I love what you do.

A

 

I get the good love and the fans but I also do have a lot of people that hate me, like genuinely hate me, haha. It comes with the fame and status, sometimes people aren’t going to like you or what you do and that’s ok. Some believe I’m making fun of Arabs or trying to show the world that we are horrible people, which is actually the opposite! I’m trying to show the world that because you see or hear one thing about us, doesn’t mean its true. I’m trying to show the world our lives and culture through the eyes of something everyone can enjoy – which is comedy and laughter. But sometimes people just don’t understand it, that’s why I walk around with a Personal Bodyguard now though lol. Shout out to Tay weeda And STAY BOOMY for always taking care of me.

Q
Abu Batata is no Middle-Eastern fantasy though, is he?

A

 

I honestly don’t know how I got that name, it just came to me, its funny and sounds like it could be a real man lol. But he is not a real person, but based on real people; such as my dads best friend who literally speaks just like him, he’s basically the REAL ABU BATATA.

Q
BEEE Real Entertainment, who started it and what is it about?

A

 

BEEE Real ENT was started by my best friend and brother Shareef Allman. Its just like it says; BEEE Real! Being real to who you are as a person. As a brand, he tried to show the world who he was and take over, by just being us. So, BEEE Real is a known thing now, with people throughout California, etc, because of him! So shout out to Shareef Allman.

A shout out and high-five to Shareef Allman.

Q

What is happening next for you in 2018?

A

 

Well a lot is up for me in 2018! I’m currently on the “Abu Batata comedy Tour 2018” coming to all major cities in the USA and overseas. I’m also releasing my first comeback Music ALBUM this year, so be prepared for that. I’m also releasing content on Instagram – like usual weekly updates for fans, and showing the world my life through a lens. But, most importantly, I’m going to enjoy being a brand new FATHER in 2018, my son, my rib, my right hand man, is now almost 8 months old, and is my blessing. But other than that, don’t expect to not see me everywhere because I’m telling you, my face is going to be on every social media page and website!!!

WESSAM ALJUNDI, it has been a total pleasure interviewing you for Pizazz News and I can hardly wait to see what is next in store for us. I just love Abu Batata!