he first in Aljazeera’s documentary series, My Nigeria, features Bright Onyekwere Okpocha alias Basketmouth in a 25-minute film, which centres on the comedian’s vocation and some of the dictates of his calling.



In the course of the film, it is revealed that Basketmouth; who hails from Isuikwuato, Abia State, but grew up in Ajegunle, Lagos; attended the United Christian Secondary School, Apapa, Lagos, from where he finished in 1995.



Basketmouth’s stand-up comedy performances, a few of which the viewer witnesses in the film, remind the viewers why he is one of the most popular comedians from this part of the world. His jokes emanate from simple, well observed everyday occurrences embellished to thoroughly entertain an audience whist, in many cases, compelling listeners and viewers to reflect on the human conditions depicted in the jokes.



Neither Basketmouth’s background nor the path leading to his success as a comedian is adequately revealed inBasketmouth Trash Talking. His manager, Dotun Makun, who attended the same university with him recalls how Basketmouth mounted the stage as a rapper, but was booed by students who felt his performance was not up to scratch and when one of them took it upon himself to deride Basketmouth, the comedian presented the scoffer a dose of his own medicine to the delight of the students, who forgot that it was rap rather than comedy that gave Basketmouth the floor in the first place. Unfortunately, the name of this university where this remarkable event took place is not disclosed to the audience.



The comedian himself talks about growing up among very funny people that he initially thought everyone was funny; but realized that he was privileged to be raised in the same place as those individuals. Why did the viewer not hear from some of these people amongst whom are members of Basketmouth’s family? An unnamed female teacher at the United Christian Secondary School, Apapa; Bovi Ugboma, Basketmouth’s Friend and Colleague; and Dotun Makun, the Comedian’s Manager; are the only people interviewed in the film.


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