Thomas Mann House Events Archive
March 17, 2026
Oliver Polak & Friends: One Night Only
Belly Room at the The Comedy Store (8433 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069)
Language: English ・ This event is open to the public.
Info
For this one-night-only event at the iconic Comedy Store, Polak will be joined by an international lineup of guest performers, including Sarah Silverman, Nikki Glaser, Robby Hoffmann, Amir K, and additional surprise guests. Together, they explore themes of migration, identity, memory, and contemporary politics through the distinct lens of stand-up comedy.
A multiple award winner, bestselling author, and host of his own Netflix series, Polak is widely regarded as one of Germany’s most original and provocative comedic voices. As Germany’s most prominent Jewish stand-up comedian, his work moves beyond conventional “cultural exchange,” confronting audiences instead with sharp wit, vulnerability, and what he himself describes as “emotional damage with punchlines.”
Find more information here!
Participants
Oliver Polak is a stand-up comedian and writer. Half-German, half-Russian and Jewish: he certainly has all the ingredients needed for a third world war.
Oliver Polak’s fellowship project at the Thomas Mann House is titled "Stand Up For Comedy Across Borders." He aims to develop a show for comedy clubs in Los Angeles. In this show, he intends to make himself the subject, share his story, and perform his narrative night after night. Through his stand-up, Oliver seeks to engage in meaningful dialogue with Americans and challenge prejudices—including his own. He aims to explore both the humorous similarities and differences between cultures. His observations, reflections, and dialogues, along with the ups and downs of his journey, will be recorded like a diary, forming an experiential account that can lead to deeper insights.
Partner
An event by The Comedy Store and the Thomas Mann House Los Angeles.
