Josh Pickar will perform his debut comedy hour, Getting Off at the Assembly – Roxy Snug for the month of August. Getting Off is a darkly funny, politically charged blend of stand up, character comedy, storytelling and clowning. The show draws on Pickar's professional work as a US capital defence attorney - arguing against people receiving the death penalty. Pickar deftly explores the inherent challenges of doing moral work defending people who are alleged to have committed the most abhorrent crimes. His unique voice and perspective on social media has generated viral content with over 1.75 million views.
This show follows some of Josh’s personal experiences - including coming out as a gay, Jewish man to a self-proclaimed homophobic, antisemitic and white supremacist - in a career that was not only complex and challenging but at times viciously comic. Through this absurd and surreal lens, this show examines performativity, authenticity, power structures and institutional violence, arguing that punitive systems force everyone working within them - lawyers, executioners, administrators - into psychologically damaging roles that do not serve society.
Josh Pickar is a former federal defender turned comedian whose career has taken him from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar to death row and clown school. At Balliol College, Oxford, his thesis examined cruel and unusual punishment in prisons through the lens of Maslow's hierarchy of needs - research that would prove darkly prescient for his later work. He studied comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade and the People's Improv Theater before launching his podcast ‘We Needed This’ in 2025.
Josh is a passionate traveller and polyglot. He speaks Russian, Spanish, and French with advanced proficiency, and has also studied German, Mandarin, Italian, and Arabic. Currently based in New York City and Paris where he is studying clown at École Philippe Gaulier, Josh brings theatrical training to his unique, legally-informed performances blending humour with social critique.
Josh Pickar’s ’Getting Off’ will be at the Assembly – Roxy - Snug at 7:40pm, from August 5 - 30, tickets here.
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)
I think of something funny. One of my clown teachers, Michiko Gaulier, told me that before going on stage, you should always have a joke in your head. It makes your eyes sparkle and gives you that magnetic thing that we love in a performer. I’m always trying to collect funny moments, jokes, or images that I can think up right before going on stage.
What irritates you?
When comedians treat sincerity as embarrassing or “cringe.” I spent seven years doing work where my clients had to be earnest with me about some of the most difficult parts of their lives, so I have little patience for the idea that you have to hide behind irony. Comedy is a place where you can be sincere and funny.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Be gay.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
Be gay.
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
How willing audiences are to “go there” with you. When I first started at open mics in New York, I was so in my head about whether people would want to hear material about the death penalty. I had never seen it done before! I have been pleasantly surprised by how excited people are to engage with material about such a difficult topic.
What do your parents think of your job?
My parents and step-parents are all psychologists. They’d probably ask me how I feel about my job and avoid the question. Kidding.
Honestly, they’re happy I’m doing something fun and light after spending so much time thinking about death row every day. My mom wanted to be a comedy writer when she was younger, so I think she’s living a bit vicariously through me. She keeps asking to be a guest on my podcast, which I don’t think I’m ready for yet.
What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
The vulnerability. Which is also what makes it so amazing. I think that to be a great comedian, you have to be open and share something of yourself with the audience. I don’t mean trauma dumping. But the crowd needs to leave with something of you, and that can feel very unnatural and so scary. I respect the hell out of comedians who let us in and that’s what I aspire to do.
I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
Thank you! Lately, I’ve been feeling really proud of myself. I made a huge life pivot at 30 and ended up at clown school in France after working as a lawyer. Not something I ever would have imagined when I was younger. I’ve learned to listen to myself when things don’t feel right, and I’m proud of the way I’ve handled some very difficult situations.
How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
As a comedian?! Basically nothing.
I’m really not the type of person who aspires to exorbitant wealth…but I would love to earn more (i.e., something). I left a very lucrative job at a law firm after I paid off my student loans so I could pursue work that mattered to me defending people on death row. More recently, I left that job and now am hoping to be a full-time comedian. In general, I try and follow whatever is exciting and interesting to me and hope the money will follow.
Please come see my show so the money can follow.
How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
I think it’s important, but not everything. Hard work and preparation matter a lot. You need to be prepared so that when the luck arrives, you can capitalize on it.
I feel lucky to have my mental health, because I have lots of family that has struggled with mental illness. I love how my brain processes the world. If I saw the world differently, I don’t know that I’d be able to find the humor in such dark places (like the death penalty).
Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into third category?
I am definitely a golfer. I have a pretty optimistic disposition, which I really needed when people’s lives depended on me. It has taken me a while to get to the place where I believe that if a bit doesn’t land or a show isn’t what I hoped it’d be, it’s not the end of the world. The failure doesn’t mean something deep about me. It was just a bad show and there will be good shows to come.
Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?
Bryan Stevenson, who is a lawyer and civil rights leader in the US. I admire his ability to tell stories that are moving in their own right, and then make you sit back and think more broadly about systems. He has been extremely influential in my thinking.
Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).
Sorry to be such an American and such a lawyer about this, but I want to make sure I understand the question. Drawers means underwear, right? And by tidy do you mean not dirty? Or well organized?
Here goes nothing: My underwear is not soiled and you can find it arranged nicely in a dresser. I hope this cements your love with your girlfriend <3
What reality show are you dying to be on?
I simply need to be on Survivor. I feel like it perfectly blends all of my skills: navigating complex social dynamics, puzzles, and having a lot of body hair. A few years ago, I hired a consultant to help with my application. She told me that gay men from big cities are the most common applicants. Ugh! Maybe having gone to clown school will help me get on. If you’re a Survivor producer and you’re reading this, please please help a girl out.
Josh Pickar’s ’Getting Off’ will be at the Assembly – Roxy - Snug at 7:40pm, from August 5 - 30, tickets here.
PHOTO CREDIT – STEVE ULLATHORNE
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