Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Interview: 'Giant' Comedian Aziz Ansari
It sure seems like Aziz Ansari is doing all of the right things at the right times these days, and he’s definitely getting noticed for it. For a few years now, he’s been steadily climbing the comedy ladder, doing stand up and stage work both here in Los Angeles and New York City. After Aziz paired with Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer to form the wildly popular Human Giant on MTV, he really began to take off and can now be seen in a few episodes of Scrubs, an Office-like show coming this spring, and touring with his Glow In The Dark stand up tour, coming tomorrow night to the Largo.
Aziz was kind enough to give LAist a few minutes of his time, and he even brought some of his buddies from hit TV show The Wire.
----
Support for LAist comes from
Aziz: I'll answer all these questions as myself, and to keep it interesting, a second answer will be given by members from Marlo Stanfield's crew in "The Wire." If you've never seen "The Wire," and this just seems stupid, I apologize and highly recommend checking out the show, as I'm sure you've heard by now, its excellent.
LAist: Where did you get your start?
Aziz: I started doing standup in New York while I was in college.
Marlo:I started coming up on the corners down on Eastern Avenue in the WestSide of Baltimore.
You've spent a lot of your time doing comedy in both Los Angeles and New York. What do you think separates the two for a comedian?
Aziz: Audiences in both cities are fantastic. Obviously being in LA there's many more opportunities for acting, which is why I ended up moving here.
Marlo:I run a drug crew in Baltimore, I ain't got shit to do with comedians, NY, or LA.
Support for LAist comes from
As a pretty successful member of the new wave of young comedians, where do you see comedy headed in the next decade?
Aziz: I have no clue. I hope the people that are talented keep getting successful and things stay how they are and don't get shitty.
Snoop: You best shut the fuck up bout' all this comedy shit. Marlo ain't got nothing to do with none of it. You bring it up again we gonna take yo' ass to the vacants,
Partlow: (silent, but looks mean)
What are you working on and where can we see you next?
Aziz: I'm going to be in a new show from producers of "The Office" which will be on in April. I also am doing a few small parts in some movies. Right now, I'm filming something in Judd Apatow's new film, Funny People, which has been very fun.
Partlow: Motherfucker, you think I'm a snitch?
Support for LAist comes from
With your tour going full force and upcoming TV gigs, it must be hard to balance it all. What's an average day for Aziz Ansari?
Aziz: I'm usually working on different projects and trying to cram in delicious meals in between. I'm also getting ready for the new season of "Lost"!
Marlo: Who the fuck is that? He run with the Greek?
You've been successful in both sketch and stand up, do you have a preference?
Aziz: No, I'm pretty happy to be able to do both. Right now I'm pretty focused on standup because I'm working on recording a CD/special.
Snoop: You know, I fuck with some shit down at UCB with the sketch/improv, but I ain't never done no standup.
With your success in the past few years, when will you consider yourself as having 'made it'?
Support for LAist comes from
Aziz: Not really. Now Zach Effron, that guys made it!
Marlo: I'll be honest. After Avon passed me the crown a few years ago, yeah, I felt like I made it.
Who are some of the other comedians you're looking at these days?
Aziz: My favorites to watch in LA are Louis CK and Patton Oswalt. As far as younger comics, I really like this guy Hannibal Burress out of NY and Nick Kroll, who is opening several of my tour shows, is also great.
Marlo: I like those guys. John Mulaney is another really hilarious comic from NY. Also, Brent Weinbach from San Francisco. His shit's dope.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist