Apr 21, 2021
« Back to NewsDoctor vs. Comedian - a new podcast by Comedian Ali Hassan and Dr. Asif Doja
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Toronto, April 21, 2021 - Stand-up comedian and actor Ali Hassan (CBC’s Laugh Out Loud, Designated Survivor, Goon) and Dr. Asif Doja, a pediatric neurologist, are excited to announce that they have joined forces for a new podcast, Doctor vs. Comedian. The first six episodes can now be heard everywhere podcasts are available, with new episodes released weekly. In just 2 weeks after launch, Doctor vs. Comedian has already risen to the #1 Apple Podcast in the Medicine category. It is also steadily climbing into the Top Ten of Health & Fitness podcasts in Canada.
In each episode, Hassan and Dr. Doja pick a topic from each other's field and engage in insightful, informative and entertaining conversations. Talking about serious subjects in an unserious way, they tackle everything from the Ketogenic Diet to The United States of Al casting controversy, Dr. Oz, ‘joke theft’ in comedy and more.
“We have known each other since childhood and, while we took different paths in life, we have been fascinated with each other’s jobs. When we get together (these days over Zoom), the conversations are always about medicine and health, and the entertainment industry,” said Hassan and Dr. Doja in a joint comment. “The idea of combining our late-night debates with our love of podcasts seemed like a no-brainer and we can’t wait to bring these lively and entertaining discussions to listeners.”
For more information visit Doctor vs. Comedian.
EPISODE BREAKDOWN
Episode 1: Comedy in the time of Covid / Cannabis use in Medicine
Ali discusses performing comedy during the Covid-19 pandemic and Asif discusses cannabis and CBD use in medicine, including the current role for CBD in epilepsy and the limited role in other medical conditions.
Episode 2: Joke Theft / Did they get it right?
Ali discusses the issue of ‘joke theft’ in comedy and famous accusations of joke theft including the cases of Conan O’Brien, Carlos Mencia & Joe Rogan, and Nick Thune. Ali and Asif talk about some famous medical movies and television shows and discuss “did they get it right?”
Episode 3: Auditioning / The Ketogenic Diet
Ali discusses the auditioning process for movies and television roles and how he went from stand-up comedy to acting, got an agent and some memorable (and not so memorable) auditions. Asif discusses the ketogenic diet including its use in epilepsy as well as its more controversial use in weight loss and diabetes.
Episode 4: Rebirth of Roast Comedy / Masks & Covid-19
Ali discusses the history and the rebirth of roasts as a form of comedy, courtesy of the Comedy Central Roasts. Asif talks about mask use during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the history of mask use during epidemics - particularly the work of Dr. Wu Lien-teh.
Episode 5: Origin Story
In this special episode of Doctor vs. Comedian, the guys talk about their “origin stories''. First, Ali speaks about growing up in New Brunswick and Montreal, Quebec, going to McGill University, and how he went from working at a consumer-electronics chain store to becoming a stand-up comedian. Asif talks about what led him to pursue medicine as a career, why he decided to become super specialized as a pediatric neurologist right out of medical school and the life experiences that led him to that choice.
Episode 6: The United States of Al/Dr. Oz
Ali and Asif discuss the new CBS sitcom, The United States of Al and the criticism it received even before an episode was released. They also discuss Dr. Mehmet Oz, his background, the controversy around his show, his influence on medicine and the so-called “Oz effect”.
ABOUT DR. ASIF DOJA
Dr. Doja completed his Bachelors of Science at the University of Ottawa. He completed his medical degree at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, followed by post-graduate training in pediatric neurology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario. He then completed a Master’s in Education at the University of Toronto. He joined the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in the Division of Neurology in 2005. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa and has been Chief of the Division of Neurology at CHEO since 2016. Dr. Doja has published over 60 peer reviewed articles in journals such as Medical Education, Lancet Neurology, Academic Medicine and Neurology. He has been interviewed for pieces on CTV National News, CBC Radio, The National Post and The Walrus.
ABOUT ALI HASSAN
Ali Hassan is a Stand-up Comic, Actor and CBC Radio & Television personality. Hassan is the host of CBC’s hit stand-up comedy show Laugh Out Loud, a frequent guest-host on CBC Radio’s q and As It Happens, and the host of Canada Reads - the annual book-battle celebrating the best of Canadian literature. He has toured Canada with his solo comedy show Muslim Interrupted and was a part of the 2019 Just for Laughs’ cross-country tour, hosted by Rick Mercer. He can be seen now in the films MySpy, Mafia Inc, and Tammy's Always Dying, and in 2021 on the brand-new seasons of Murdoch Mysteries and Workin' Moms. Hassanis also currently filming the pilot of a new show with CBS. His comedic memoir, Is There Bacon in Heaven? will be released by Simon & Schuster in 2022. www.StandupAli.com
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