Over a month ago comedian Rami Boraie submitted a small video to the KitKat Comedy Break Show website as his entry for the Funniest Arab competition. When we spoke to him after his video had been up for just over a week, Boraie said he entered the competition because it was fun, hoping that it would give exposure to comedians in the region.

Over the course of the first stage of the competition, which lasted for five weeks, well over 70 hopefuls uploaded their best jokes and funny moments in the hope of convincing the judges they deserved to continue to the next round.

This week the 10 finalists were announced, and Boraie is one of them. “I am very excited and I did not really expect it,” he said. “In the beginning when there were only 10 or 12 contestants I figured I was in with a chance but as the numbers grew I really thought it would be a long shot.”

Boraie is looking forward to the next stage of the Comedy Break: “From next week I will be in Dubai with all the other contestants and I am really looking forward to meeting them. I have read their bios and seen their videos and they are really funny.”

The 10 finalists will all move in to the KitKat Comedy Break Villa where they will be set challenges to showcase their comic talents and will be able to work on their material. “There are not many chances for comedians to learn from each other, there are no workshops or anything like that. I am really looking forward to work on my material with the feedback of the other contestants and the judges. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and become better at what I do,” Boraie said.

During their time in villa the contestants will be filmed and starting from 5 May episodes will be posted on the competition’s website every Sunday and Wednesday. “I think it is great that the episodes will be shown online rather than on TV,” Boraie said. “This way you know that everyone who watches is really interested in the show.”

Not long ago Boraie gave me a succinct, all-encompassing and very funny lecture on reality TV and why it is great television. It would be fair to assume he does not mind being filmed for the duration of his stay in the villa: “Absolutely! I think reality TV is wonderful and to get the opportunity to work on my material, learn from the judges and be part of a reality show is a dream come true,” he said, only half-joking.

Boraie is indeed very funny and it will be interesting to see how he will deal with the challenges that await him in Dubai. Closing the interview he shared: “I actually eat a KitKat every day. Up to now no one has ever noticed but since I entered the competition I keep getting comments about it. I am just happy the competition is organised by my favourite candy bar, it would not have been as nice if it was one I could not stomach!”

The winner of the competition will receive a prize of $15,000 and the chance to be the opening act for one of the judges during a tour. Runners-up will also receive financial prizes and will become moderators on the Comedy Break website. The audience will also get to pick their favourite comedian.