Alexander “Sasha” Nezlobin is a Russian–American comedian, writer, director and producer. One of the originators of stand-up in the Russian-speaking world, he was a long-running headliner on the hit TV show Comedy Club on TNT, wrote and starred in the sitcom Nezlob, and created the late-night series Stand-Up Underground. In 2011, he became the first Russian comedian to film and release a televised stand-up special. He left Russia in 2022 following his public opposition to the invasion of Ukraine and now lives in Los Angeles, where he continues to tour internationally to sold-out rooms across the US and Europe. ‘I’m Fine’ is his first show written and performed entirely in English, and will make its debut at the Fringe. We spoke to Sasha about the show, the response he receives from fellow Russian exiles, and how he balances his Russian with his English-language comedy.

Can you tell us about ‘I’m Fine’?

‘I’m Fine’ is a show about how you can change your perspective on your struggles and look at them in a funny way. Everyone on this planet has faced loss, grief, and the feeling of being a fish out of water. It can be any kind of loss – love, a dream, a job, money, curiosity, a parent, a family, or just the feeling of fitting in with your friends or the person you love.

But… is there a way to get through it? Come for some laughter therapy. It’s always helpful to laugh at other people’s problems, and maybe, while doing that, you can deal with your own too.

For those who might be unfamiliar with you, how would you describe your comedy and your approach to performance?

My comedy is personal and honest. I can’t say it’s dark, because the world right now is much darker, and sometimes much more stupid, than anything I can come up with. It looks like I’m talking about myself, but when the audience recognises themselves, that’s the real art of comedy and my biggest joy.

I love those moments when people laugh, and especially when they later have flashbacks to my jokes. To me, that means the magic of comedy has worked, and both of us have walked away with something new.

You still perform in Russian for your fellow Russian emigrees and exiles. Does it feel like home, or is there something of a shared rebellion in it?

It’s an interesting feeling. Very new for me. People come to hug me now instead of asking for pictures (like they did in Russia). People want to feel accepted. They want to understand that they are not alone. They need someone who thinks the same way they do. And the meet-and-greets after my performances have become a really unique experience for me, something I never had before. I’m not sure who needs it more: them or me. For some people, coming to the show feels like visiting a homeland they may never get back to.

How was writing a show in English for the first time? How did it differ from your writing in Russian?

It was always my dream to perform in English. I grew up watching British and American comedians. And it’s like a sport: I have to get on stage over and over again and perform the same material 10 to 15 times before it reaches the quality I want.

I start a joke in Russian and finish it in English, and sometimes it’s the other way round. When I translate material into another language, completely new ideas and directions appear that I would never have discovered in my native language.

I love how my English comedy makes my Russian comedy better, and vice versa. It feels like both parts of my brain are constantly helping each other grow. Hopefully, my brain enjoys it as much as I do.

What are your hopes for the show? What would constitute a successful Fringe for you?

I want to see full rooms of people laughing every night. I want to become a better comedian, polish my hour into the strongest version of itself, meet new people, make new connections and discover new opportunities for my stand-up career. I also want to challenge myself creatively, learn from other performers and test new material in front of diverse audiences. The Fringe is a unique place to grow as an artist. The only thing you need to do is keep yourself under control after the shows. Ha!

What are you most looking forward to, or perhaps dreading, about the Fringe?

The only thing I really want is to be a better comedian than I was yesterday. Of course, I want good things (like press, producers and paid work) to come from the Fringe, but I’ve noticed that once I stopped focusing on the rewards and started asking myself, ‘How can I get better every day? How can I make this joke or this hour even stronger?’, the opportunities started to come naturally. I mean, look, I’m at the Fringe, performing at one of the most legendary festivals in the world. What more could I ask for?

As for fears, I don’t have any right now. Whatever happens, it will be an amazing and unique experience, and I know I’ll come out of it better.

Besides ‘I’m Fine’, can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August; guest spots, compilation shows, etc?

I’d love to do as many guest spots as possible, as long as they don’t affect my own show. A lot of my friends are coming to the Fringe this year, so I’ll be supporting their shows and hanging out with them. We’ll probably end up performing together somewhere. I’m also looking forward to meeting new comedians, exchanging ideas, watching great performances and… strange performances too. Every day at the Fringe is new and the same.

Are there any other shows/ performers at the Fringe that you would recommend?

Mario Adrion, Daniel Sloss, Maria Fedulova, ‘A Pebble in the Road‘, and probably any show that’s difficult to get tickets for. There is usually a reason why people are lining up for it.

But honestly, that’s the magic of the Fringe. You can walk into a show you’ve never heard of and leave with an unforgettable experience. Just go somewhere, enjoy the vibe, check the reviews and randomly pick a show. Sleep less. Whatever you do, make sure you save enough energy for my show, ‘I’m Fine’, Pleasance Dome 10, 9.30pm. And you’ll be fine. I hope 🙂 See you there.

‘I’m Fine‘ will be 10 Dome at Pleasance Dome from Wed 5 to Mon 31 Aug 2026.