We all have small regrets, and by small, I mean those regrets that don’t keep you up at night and, in most cases, were due to unavoidable circumstances. For me, it’s usually when I miss stand-up events.
That might not seem like a big deal, but stand-up culture in Nairobi right now is in a very interesting and exciting place.
One of the shows I missed was the recording of Amandeep’s stand-up special Doggies, that's the bad news. The good news is, we now finally get to see it, unlike all the other stand-up specials recorded in this country that we’re still waiting to watch. I’m looking at you, Ty Gachira.
Doggies is Amandeep’s first stand-up special, recorded at the Alliance Française on October 21, 2023. He’s a regular at the Nairobi Laugh Bar, with his next big show, The Flying Sikh, coming up on April 26, 2025.
Where to watch “Doggies”
The full special is available on YouTube.
Getting personal
This special could’ve easily been called "The Trials and Tribulations of Amandeep". Sure, most comedians draw from personal experience, but I was surprised by just how personal he got, not just in content, but in how many personal stories he put in there.
Most of it leans into risqué and blue comedy. From his early jobs to his upbringing, it felt like a proper introduction to Amandeep as a stand-up comedian for those who are not familiar with him, beyond just the hilarious face-replacement memes most people know him for.
I appreciate that a few bits will make some people cringe, the special is not censored. There’s a lot that could’ve been cut out in post-production, but they kept it raw. What I’m trying to say is: don’t watch this with your children. This is Amandeep, unfiltered.
If you’ve never seen Amandeep live, he usually has a laid-back stage presence. Yes, he physically dramatises a few moments in this special, but for the most part, he’s still the chilled-out Indian guy.
Even when he’s pacing across the stage, he keeps it mellow which he utilises in his delivery.
His setups are sneaky, almost casual. You rarely see the punchline coming, and a lot of the fun comes from misdirection and left turns.
Now, this is the part where I’d usually break down the material and highlight my favourite bits, but my experience was better because I didn’t know what was coming. I’m not going to rob you of that.
Go watch the special for all the juicy details.
Production quality
On the technical side, the setup is exactly what you’d expect from a stand-up special. What I liked was the simplicity, no flashing lights, just a spotlight, a dark background, a blue stool, and the comedian.
Sure, I think he could’ve worn something that contrasted more with the backdrop, but then again, his complexion kind of handles that.
The sound is solid. It has that live, in-the-room reverb, but it works. The audience reactions don’t overpower the performance, he gives them space to react to the punchlines, which is a small thing but goes a way in providing a good audio experience.
The minimal title reveal, clean closing credits, and music choice all help keep the special’s personality intact and give it a nice finish.
What could be improved
Doggies is an Amandeep special, no doubt. But I would’ve liked to see a minute or two of the opening acts before he came on. It would’ve added some variety and also showcased other comics for those unfamiliar with the Kenya scene, in this case, Emmanuel Kisiangani and George Waweru a.k.a. Chai Knees. That said, I get that it’s important to keep a special under an hour.
As a Kenyan special, it holds up well. But, and I know this is asking a lot, adding subtitles could have helped, especially with the Kenya phrases that international viewers might not catch.
There are also two shots where the background looks a little off.
If you’re not a stand-up person
If you’ve never heard of Amandeep, or if your only exposure to stand-up is what has been aired on the Churchill Show, this might feel jarring or even absurd at first. Nothing is censored or watered down. The best way to enjoy it is to keep an open mind, it’s not meant to be taken seriously.
Amandeep explores personal territory and touches on uncomfortable topics, especially around religion. But that’s what stand-up is meant to do, poke fun at the serious parts of life.
I’d also recommend checking out Rapcha the Sayantist’s Raw N Unkut 3, also on YouTube, to get a sense of how stand-up works when it’s stripped down and honest.
Conclusion
Doggies is free on YouTube, and honestly, it’s better than a lot of specials on paid streaming platforms. It’s laid-back, funny, unhinged, and bold enough to go places most don’t. More importantly, it’s entertaining and absolutely worth your time.
