INTELLECTUAL JOKES

Roman Orkodashvili is, without exaggeration, an iconic figure within the intellectual milieu of Azerbaijan. In his capacity as a member of the expert team for the program "What? One might inquire as to the precise location. He rapidly distinguished himself as an individual with an astute intellect and an unconventional methodology for addressing questions. His involvement in the television programme has subsequently become a matter of genuine legend. Roman is renowned on social media for his exceptional wit and capacity to discern humor even in the most solemn circumstances. He has garnered a devoted following among those who avidly follow his posts and comments. Recently, he has assumed the role of a stand-up comedian, through which he has revealed unexpected insights through his observations. The interview with Roman Orkodashvili encompassed a range of subjects, both lighthearted and grave, encompassing inquiries, responses, self-reflection, and subjects that are typically regarded as taboo.

"There is a common adage that asserts, "It is fashionable to joke about it," which can be applied to a variety of contexts, including fashionable jokes and other fashionable topics. Nevertheless, certain subjects remain pertinent across time: family, in-laws, national relations, the Jewish question, and others. These subjects have been, and will continue to be, the subject of humor. What are the current trends in humor in Azerbaijan, and what subjects remain perennial for Azerbaijanis?"

"Topics that are currently in vogue often emerge from events that are both immediate and topical. Such subjects emerge and recede in conjunction with their respective sources. Today, the forthcoming COP29 climate summit is the subject of considerable attention in Azerbaijan. The preparations for this event have introduced changes to our daily lives that have become a source of humor as a result. Nevertheless, it seems pertinent to suggest that the relationship between fathers and their children represents one of the most enduring themes in Azerbaijan. The phenomenon of the generation gap, along with differing viewpoints and the constant attempts of elders to guide the younger generation on the path to truth, remain relevant."

"Your participation in intellectual games is well-known. One might assume that success in such competitions requires a good education, broad outlook, reading skills, and quick reactions. Yet, we realise that these factors alone are insufficient. It seems necessary to possess another type of thinking—an ability to view a question from an angle that others might not consider, perhaps even illogically or absurdly."

"I am more drawn to the other side of mind games—the aspect that becomes apparent once you are fully immersed in the process. These games foster an incredible confidence that the answer to any question is somewhere nearby. After all, if a question is posed, the answer must exist; it is written down on the same piece of paper. Sometimes we were given tasks like "reimagining" a specific invention within one minute. Can you imagine that? Six non-specialists are expected to replicate an inventor's thought process in sixty seconds! And you know what? We accomplished it. The difference is that the inventor was navigating uncharted territory while we started with the assumption that the destination already existed (otherwise, there would have been no question). This type of thinking can also be beneficial in life; however, we must recognise that not everything in reality adheres to logic as seen in game questions. Sometimes Antiochus II may not be the son of Antiochus I but rather of some Ambrosius XII."

"Is it possible to amass wealth through the mere application of intellectual capital?"

"All significant fortunes are created through the application of intelligence. The question, then, is how to apply it. In one context, one might create a useful application or write a book and generate income; in another context, one could develop one's own system—potentially a more complex one. Nevertheless, regardless of the chosen methodology, the role of intelligence remains fundamental."

"What is the current status of intellectual discourse in Azerbaijan? Television quiz shows such as Умники и умницы have ceased to be broadcast. It would be interesting to ascertain whether such shows still have an audience. It would be interesting to speculate as to whether these shows could return to the television or YouTube screens, with or without your participation."

"İctimai TV persists in broadcasting intellectual games, including Что? Где? Когда?, which is the only Russian programme on the national television network. Additionally, The Game TV production center is responsible for the creation of several other notable programs, including Brain-Ring, Əlaçı, 61, and Who Wants to Get Rich? The latter is the result of a personal initiative by Balaş Gasimov, a well-known expert and director of İTV. These projects have consistently retained a viewership, and it is reasonable to conclude that they will continue to do so, as the Q&A format resonates with both younger and older generation."

"What inspired you to pursue a career in stand-up comedy?"

"That is an excellent question that I have been pondering for two years. Stand-up comedy provides an effective means of refining one's writing abilities, enabling the creation of coherent and readily comprehensible texts. Furthermore, I had minimal experience performing on stage, which presented an additional challenge in pursuing stand-up."

"To what extent is the Azerbaijani audience receptive to humor? Is it a generally lively and open-minded audience, or is it somewhat closed and conservative?"

"The audience's response is discernible, particularly when jokes shift from the live setting to the digital domain. The delivery of jokes in Russian by an individual from a nation that is not their own can evoke a negative response from audiences, particularly if the content of the jokes resonates with their personal experiences. Nevertheless, it is imperative that we not only acknowledge and celebrate the positive aspects of our culture, but also address and confront the challenging and complex issues that arise within it."

"It can be argued that Russian-speaking stand-up comedians are in a more advantageous position due to their ability to access a larger audience market. It would be interesting to consider the position of Azerbaijani-speaking comedians in this context. Is it possible for them to reach a broader audience?"

"The relevance of Russian-speaking stand-up comedians and content creators is gradually diminishing. It can be reasonably deduced that the future of language in this context lies with speakers of Azerbaijani and Turkish. The content of stand-up comedy is more dependent on the themes it addresses than on the language in which it is performed. However, this presents a dilemma: if one caters to a Russian-speaking audience, one inevitably competes with Russian comedians, addressing topics that may resonate with audiences in Moscow or Kyiv but not necessarily with those in Baku. Conversely, modifying one's format and subject matter may result in the alienation of one's local audience."

"Some argue that if a joke is funny, it can be made about any subject, regardless of its inherent offensiveness or irreverence, as long as it evokes laughter. Do you support the view that there are no taboo topics?

"Indeed, the primary criterion is whether something is funny or not. However, another equally important factor is a sense of proportion. The perception of humor is subjective, and what is considered harmless by one individual may be offensive to another. Such variability is to be expected, given that individuals possess different boundaries. Some may perceive my delineated boundaries as unduly self-righteous, but that is simply how I have always approached the matter."

"Has the project Şəkərbura Show proven successful?"

"This project, which was initiated in collaboration with Rovshan Askerov, has indeed achieved its intended objective in its entirety. We have successfully fostered a community of enthusiastic individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, which provides us with immense satisfaction. We are particularly proud to have facilitated three marriages between individuals who met during the course of the games and subsequently decided to embark on a shared life together. Games frequently reflect the dynamics of real life. Participants engage in collaborative activities within teams, experiencing positive and negative emotions while observing how their partners respond to challenges. This mirrors the complexities of real-life interactions.

"This is why I host three games: Club 22 employs the conventional format of "Что? Где? Когда?" The remaining programs include Şəkərbura Show, featuring original rounds conducted with Rovshan Askerov, and Comedy Quiz with Javid Gurbanov. The latter is notable for its emphasis on humor, as opposed to erudition."

"Some think that intellectuals with a sharp sense of humor are arrogant, lacking in humor at times, and even cruel. It is often claimed that professional comedians confuse their work with their personal lives and that they are mocking those around them. Do these talents have the right to engage in sarcasm or a certain degree of ruthlessness?"

"Acrimony and inappropriate sarcasm are not a valid justification for any action, except in the case of self-irony. The capacity for self-irony is a rare and valuable quality. It is like a diamond. When one can laugh at oneself, it becomes possible to withstand the ridicule of others.