Ashley Blaker, British comedian—who has several times performed in America on comedy tours, including making his NYC comedy debut with an off-Broadway show—is coming back to the U.S. this Chanukah. His comic chops, however, have markedly changed focus.

This past summer, Blaker made me laugh so hard about the drama of parents locking down with their children during COVID. His new material is so searingly relevant to me as a parent of school-aged children, that his previous standup material I’ve seen—primarily humor about him working as an Orthodox Jew producing comedy shows at the BBC, or as a comic-focused baal teshuva navigating the new world of religious Jews—seems to pale in comparison. This comedy set is based on observational humor drawn from his own experience stuck at home during the pandemic with his charming wife and six boisterous children.

Blaker’s four-part BBC Radio 4 series, titled “Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children,” is available on the BBC website, at tiny.cc/6point5. It can also be heard in podcast format through the BBC Sounds app. The series is a radio comedy, featuring an ensemble cast playing Blaker’s wife and children. The show touches not just on the intrinsic humor of lockdown in a small space with Blaker and his kids, but also sensitively conveys the loving environment that he and his wife provide for his children, several of whom have autism or other special needs, and one of whom is adopted.

The series speaks frankly about the challenges his children face, but also about the things kids with special needs have in common with all kids, even those who are neurotypical … particularly their need for equal attention from parents, and the intense black market the children developed among themselves for charging their devices during lockdown. I won’t tell you why the series is named “6.5 Children,” because, as he tells us, no, his wife is not pregnant, and no, their cat does not count as half a person. I will let you enjoy his reasoning for yourself.

I recently spoke to Blaker about his experience making the show and the feedback he has received. This is an edited version of our Q&A.

Elizabeth: Since we don’t really have teleplays these days in America: Can you describe the basics of it and the inspiration to your American fans?

Ashley: It’s a comedy show, principally a stand-up comedy show but non-audience, and with cutaways to short sketches and full of interruptions from my family (a bit like my real life). Radio comedy is a big thing here … it is the way many major TV shows have been developed. It’s a clear pathway from radio to TV. The biggest show I have produced, “Little Britain,” started on BBC Radio 4 as well.

Tell me about the inspiration for “Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children.”

The inspiration was obviously very close to home. The starting point was actually trying to convey to people what it’s like having a larger-than-average family because non-Jewish audiences were always amazed when they find out I have six kids—and it struck me that people would be fascinated. As I started writing, though, that aspect became less the focus and it shifted much more to parenting kids with special needs and other relatable aspects of parenting such as parenting during lockdown.

What age groups or demographics seemed to enjoy it most? And please share some of the feedback you got in the U.K.

I was absolutely blown away by the reception the show received. It had amazing reviews in the press, was pick of the day in all the major newspapers such as The Telegraph, Daily Mail and Sunday Times, and was the subject of hundreds of tweets. I was especially pleased that major special needs and adoption charities tweeted so enthusiastically about it and likewise I was thrilled that so many parents said they could relate to it, especially those who also have children with differing needs.

Working in the “Jewish angle” during you stand-up seems very natural, but I noticed with this show material it also provides a bit of a kiddush Hashem in terms of normalizing the kind of life an Orthodox Jew has, in comparison to, perhaps someone from any other culture with a big, loud, boisterous family? Do you feel the pressure to “rep the Jews” in that way, or does it come naturally?

It is something I am pleased to do and I think doesn’t happen enough. Normally when Orthodox Jews are part of a show, it is a show about their Judaism. It is almost unheard of to see an Orthodox Jew speaking about something that isn’t Judaism or antisemitism or Israel, etc. So I’m very proud to do something that isn’t to do with any of that. However, I don’t feel under pressure because I’m not a spokesman and I’m not repping anyone except myself. I have never wanted to be a spokesman in any way because I’d never be able to keep everyone happy. I just want to make the funniest show and make a series that I’m proud of.

Do you write all your material?

Yes, I write it all myself. However, I surround myself with several good voices who can offer tips and help me massage it into shape. That’s especially important for a show like this which doesn’t have an audience. I’ve never performed this material in front of people so you have to trust your instinct about how funny it is.

Tell me about the new U.S. trip. What is the plan? What are the themes of your shows, where will you be, and will it include more of your family stories?

I am coming back to the U.S. during Chanukah and will be performing across the country for several months. After the awful last 20 months, I am very keen to help lift spirits by performing for as many communities and institutions as possible and I already have a growing schedule. I can’t wait to perform for Jewish audiences in the U.S. again, and I have a new show ready for North American Jews.

I also have a new 30-date theatre tour starting in the U.K. in May called “Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children,” and perhaps I’ll perform that show in the U.S. at a later date.

Finally, tell me about the next installations of the “6.5 Children” show/podcast. (We need more now!!!) When can we expect it and what are some of the topics?

While I’m in the U.S. I will also be working on the tour show, a book and the new series as well as a TV adaptation. So I’m going to be very very busy! All will be revealed but I’d definitely like to talk about parenting teenagers; childcare; family and friends; and going on vacation as a family.

By Elizabeth Kratz