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NidalM Photography  /  Blog  /  Photoshoots  /  A Week to Remember – The LOL Tour

A Week to Remember – The LOL Tour

Posted by on Dec 2nd, 2009 | 21 comments

My memory clouds up. And I can scarcely believe it was only a week ago I was sitting at this very desk, planning out my weekend. My clothes neatly packed into my backpack instead of strewn about my room as they are now.

Thinking back about it now, it was both exactly like, and yet completely different from what I expected it to be like. I could’ve told you a week ago how the LOL Comedy Tour would progress. Two days in Riyadh, one day in Jeddah. I could’ve told you then that I probably wouldn’t be sleeping much. I’ve worked with comedians before so I knew how the photoshoots would progress.

Yet I could never have expected the Saudi police reaction to our events. Or that I would learn so much hanging around comics. And no way in hell did I even imagine that I would end my week working for the Italian Consulate, taking pictures of the Italian PM, Silvio Berlusconi.

Stepping back into the footprints of your old life after an experience so completely different from what you’re used to is the strangest feeling ever. You learn and grow so much, and yet you suddenly have to figure out how to apply your newfound experiences to real life.

Looking back at the pictures from the week, you feel this strange kind of detachment. Was I really there? Why am I smiling so much? Was it really that much fun? Someone help me answer these questions. The 40 year old me will need answers.

Oh and as usual:
BIG Pictures
Smaller Pictures

This is Saudi Arabia. Can you beleive it? You know when you're on to something when over 3000 people in the course of 3 days show up to an event you work with.

This is Saudi Arabia. Can you beleive it? You know when you're on to something when over 3000 people in the course of 3 days show up to an event you work with.

It is I. NidalM. Your official photographer for the LOL Tour. I added the cap to my wardrobe to help me remain inconspicuous after taking pictures of the crowd. A crowd that may contain a random number angry niqabis.

It is I. NidalM. Your official photographer for the LOL Tour. I added the cap to my wardrobe to help me remain inconspicuous after taking pictures of the crowd. A crowd that may contain a random number angry niqabis.

And yet a cap is no match for a well trained ninja. My stalkerish ways were detected and I was attacked. Still suffering from head trauma. ;P

And yet a cap is no match for a well trained ninja. My stalkerish ways were detected and I was attacked. Still suffering from head trauma. ;P

Comedy in Saudi Arabia has taken the country by storm. Fahad AlButairi is one of the fastest rising stars. Dont mind the skinny pants ;P

The LOL Tour by Smile Productions is the premier comedy event in Saudi Arabia. Hosting events on a well lit stage with trained staff running sound and photo equipment is a rare commodity in a country opposed to most forms of entertainment. Fahad AlButairi is one of the Arab world's fastest rising stars. Dont mind the skinny pants ;P

As I've always said, a little bit of Bhangra improves ANY event. Look at Rehman go! You probably remember Rehman from an earlier event I covered: Rehman and Friends Live in Dhahran

Don't count the Desis out! We're everywhere, and we're ready to DANCE! As I've always said, a little bit of Bhangra improves ANY event. Look at Rehman go! You probably remember Rehman from an earlier event I covered: Rehman and Friends Live in Dhahran

The highlight of the LOL Tours are the world renowned comedians that headline the shows. Sebastian Maniscalco is a well known face on Comedy Central, with his own show. His weird facial expressions yet exceptionally calm demeanor make for a very unique take on stand-up.

The highlight of the LOL Tours are the world renowned comedians that headline the shows. Sebastian Maniscalco is a well known face on Comedy Central, with his own show. His weird facial expressions yet exceptionally calm demeanor make for a very unique take on stand-up.

Of course one of the major highlights for me is being able to spend time with the comedians both on and off the stage. Makes for some amazing photo-ops! Dean Edwards is a cast member of SNL, does a killer impersonation of Denzel Washington, and is a great person to sit down and have a chat with.

Of course one of the major highlights for me is being able to spend time with the comedians both on and off the stage. Makes for some amazing photo-ops! Dean Edwards is a cast member of SNL, does a killer impersonation of Denzel Washington, and is a great person to sit down and have a chat with.

And you might remember Angelo Tsarouchas if you've been following my blog long enough. He was a comic in the Egypt's First Comedy Rumble Tour in Cairo and Alexandra that I covered. It's always great to see Ang!

And you might remember Angelo Tsarouchas if you've been following my blog long enough. He was a comic in the Egypt's First Comedy Rumble Tour in Cairo and Alexandra that I covered. It's always great to see Ang!

And a departure from regular comedy work to more serious... I was the official photographer for Silvio Berlusconi's visit to the Italian Embassy in Jeddah.

And a departure from regular comedy work to more serious... I was the official photographer for Silvio Berlusconi's visit to the Italian Embassy in Jeddah.

It's not about the travels. It's not about the money. It's about all the amazing people you meet along the way.

It's not about the traveling. It's not about the money. It's about all the amazing people you meet along the way. I finally get a group shot with the people I spent almost every hour with during the tour.



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  • noufie

    LOVED the review!!! =D great job i wish u more and great success =)

  • http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

    omg.. It's the Ninja… She found me here too!

  • noufie

    mwahahahahah =P

  • Chiara

    Great update! And you met my leader Silvio! Come stai?
    Somehow the end of November in Canada just cannot compare! :)

  • http://precognitive.wordpress.com/ Qusay

    So… can I get bootleg copies of the shows with behind the scenes photographer's edition dvd?

    :)

  • http://halfthedeen.blogspot.com/ Single4now

    MashaAllah, nice shots. Loved how you captured the moments on stage. How come you didn't mention what made this tour most enjoyable? What happened with the police and what did you bribe the niqaabi to let her post her pic? :P Free wedding pics? Do you do weddings btw?

  • http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

    I can send you bootlegged copies of the comedy shows DVD. Wait, did I say that out loud? … nvm ;P

  • http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

    It's always the people. I enjoy doing this because of the amazing people you meet when you're on tour. The comedians, the producers, organizers, everybody does this because they love doing it!

    I might make a post about the crisis in RIyadh. Basically, Saudi Arabia has a law that doesn't allow single women to travel without a mahram. Even within the city. This prevented a lot of girls from getting in to the show. As for the Niqabi, she's a good friend. Told her she looked like a ninja, so she acted the part :P

    And yes I do do weddings. Other people's weddings for now, but given half the chance, I'd shoot my own wedding too ;P

    Planning to change your display name is it? ;)

  • Chiara

    Crisis in Riyadh? I thought that was the status quo, modus operandi, modus vivendi, modus ambulandi…the norm!?

    Half the chance? hmmm… LOL :) :P

  • http://halfthedeen.blogspot.com/ Single4now

    lol, not just yet. But if I do, I'll let everyone know. But who says I can't keep a list of good photographers in mind to cover my wedding. :D

    Man, I don't like the idea of not being able to travel within Saudi. Even though, I don't go out alone too much. Where's the fun in that? But I think Saudi should make that law a little bit more lenient. Especially women not being able to drive. :( Maybe put time restrictions if they have to?

  • http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

    Well it became a crisis when phones started ringing off the hook with girls crying because they couldn't get in… and uhh.. certain shocking incidents at the checkpoints which I'm not allowed to talk about on my blog…

    Check your email :)

  • http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

    Ah and yes, I have learnt recently, much to my dismay, that I will be required to be IN the photos for my eventual (yet as of now unforeseeable) wedding.

    Well, as long as they satiate me with cake I'm good I guess ;P

  • http://halfthedeen.blogspot.com/ Single4now

    Aww, poor things. The checkpoint bit doesn't sound too good. :/

  • http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

    Its a joke I tell people in urdu: “Shaadi karni hai to maheenay ke andar andar bhi ho sakti hai, lekin agar photographer chahiey to kamaskam do maheeney se book karna parey ga ;) ”

    Translates to: “If you want to get married, you can do it within the month. But if you want to ensure a photographer, you'll need to give at least two months notice ;) ”

    Saudi laws are overly strict. And the single non-Saudi girls were able to make it to the comedy shows without any trouble. It was the Saudi girls that got into trouble.

  • http://halfthedeen.blogspot.com/ Single4now

    lol, very true.

  • Chiara

    Na'am and Shokran in advance re: email.

    Yes, well that might be a stumbling block to photographing your own wedding, or rather 2: reluctance to be present, and hyperglycemia from cake eating. LOL :) :P

  • http://halfthedeen.blogspot.com/ Single4now

    There's always the timer function. :P

  • noufie

    i feel famous hehehe :P am labeled as the ninja now from everyone i know would u imagine that ???? =P

  • http://www.sufined.com/ naveed

    Lol the ninja looks really funny :P

  • nabblogger

    I missed this. I was less than 5 minutes away and I missed this.

    =/

  • http://nidalm.com/blog/photoshoots/maz-jobrani-brown-friendly/ Photos of Maz Jobrani’s Brown & Friendly show in Riyadh Saudi Arabia | NidalM Photography

    [...] Maz has been on tour  all over the Middle East, with shows in Dubai, Bahrain, Lebanon and of the weekend of April 14th, Saudi Arabia! With shows in Jeddah and Riyadh, this has been the first major Smile Productions tour since the 2nd LOL Tour back in November. [...]

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