Get Real Denver » Comedy Q&A: Aziz Ansari

Comedy Q&A: Aziz Ansari
by John Wenzel on October 10, 2008

Ah, viral video. Thy hideous bitch mistress of overnight fame. When Aziz Ansari and his cohorts in the Human Giant troupe started pumping out hilarious viral video after viral video (see the spot-on “Other Music”) everyone from NBC to Comedy Central came calling for content. But Human Giant smartly held back until MTV offered them a shoestring budget to produce a sketch series.

After a couple inventive, achingly funny seasons on that otherwise brain-dead network, Ansari is poised to break into the wider consciousness with a few upcoming movie roles and a featured spot in the long-rumored spin-off of “The Office.” We chatted with the New York-bred, L.A.-based comedian via e-mail in advance of his Oct. 10-11 stint at Comedy Works this weekend.

We’ve talked before about how you didn’t come up through the traditional club circuit in New York. But Comedy Works, where you’ll be playing in Denver, is a traditional comedy club. How do you feel about regular comedy clubs these days?

I generally prefer theaters and rock clubs to traditional comedy clubs mainly because I feel weird doing comedy for people while they are munching down buffalo wings, riblets and/or mozzarella sticks. It makes you like you’re a crazy guy yelling inside an Applebee’s, rather than paid entertainment. Certain clubs are really fun though. I’ve had a great time at the Punchline in San Francisco and I’ve heard nothing but lovely things about the Comedy Works.

Will there be a third season of “Human Giant” on MTV?

MTV offered us a third season, but the timing got a little messed up because I got hired to be on the new NBC show from “Office” executive producers Greg Daniels and Mike Schur with Amy Poehler. Luckily, the president at MTV is the greatest and has left the door open for us to do a special or pick up the third season when time permits. So we will try to do something of that nature, but I’m not sure what the exact plan is yet.

If we don’t do that, the other plan is to sell the name “Human Giant” to the CW and have them recast the show with two hunky 20 something white guys and an Indian dude with really sick abs.

When does that “Office” spin-off premiere?

It will premiere sometime in 2009. The date got pushed a little bit due to Amy Poehler’s baby-having situation. I haven’t started working on it yet, but Greg Daniels and Mike Schur, the guys from “The Office” who are running the show, are really great.

Comedians Patton Oswalt and David Cross have both told me you’re one of their foodie friends. What are you current favorite restaurants/cuisine? How did you get into being a foodie?

Yeah, the three of us are pretty into food. I could list off some restaurants in NY and LA, but that doesn’t seem relevant to a Denver news outlet. Denver people — e-mail me where I need to go! I can guarantee I will make a few trips to Chick-fil-A before I leave.

Most of your press doesn’t make a big deal out of your ethnicity, whereas certain articles about black or women comedians, for example, make it the point of the article. Do you feel like that frees you creatively? Or is that a journalistic crutch when people mention things like that?

I think that is probably because I don’t really do much “ethnic humor.” I’ve never been in that scene really. However, I would like to start a comedy night at every club in America called “White Wednesdays” where you can see your favorite Caucasian comedians.

You’re an avowed music fanatic. What have you been listening to lately?

Hmm… the new TV on the Radio, James Murphy and Pat Mahoney’s FabricLive Mix, Liars, Fleet Foxes and Cut Copy.

How has living in L.A. been versus New York? Do you miss it there, and how often do you go back?

I’ve enjoyed living in LA, but of course NY is tough to leave. I head back to NY once every couple of months. That said — neither town has a Chick-fil-A and that’s why I’m excited to be in Denver — #1 Combo, here I come!!!!

Visit Comedy Works online for more information about tonight and Saturday’s shows.

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