Transcript: Aziz Ansari on Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Hello everyone. Welcome to this episode

of Good Hang. I'm very excited about my

guest today. It is Aziz Ansari. So great

to have Aziz here in the studio to talk

about the past, the present, and the

future. And we're going to talk about a

lot of stuff today. We're going to talk

about the the fact that he skipped first

grade because everyone thought he was so

smart. We're going to talk about him

growing up as an Indian boy in the

South. We're gonna talk about um Parks

and Wreck, of course, and uh all our

memories there. and we're going to talk

about his cinematic directing debut

Good Fortune. Lots to get into, but

before we do that, we want to speak to

somebody who knows our guest, who has

great feelings and things to say about

our guest, and who has a question for me

to ask our guest. And we just have my

wife, my beautiful, beautiful wife

Rashidita Jones, joining us today.

Rashidita, I miss you. I love you. Let's

get going. Can you hear me? Rashidita

can you hear me?

Uh oh, she can't.

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This is a disaster.

>> Okay.

>> Um,, how, are, you, guys, over, there?

>> Am, I, Am, I, the, over, there?, Oh., Oh., Oh,, I

can look at your face now. Yay.

>> Oh,, you, couldn't, see, me, before.

>> It, was, a, side, view.

>> Oh,, no., That's, a, terrible, view.

>> No,, it, was, great., It, was, great., This, is

just more direct and intimate.

>> Bones.

>> Polo.

>> We, just, had, a, a a, tech, fiasco.

>> Fiasco., We, had, a, snafu.

>> I, mean,, it, still, is, a, miracle, that, you

can talk to each other in live time.

>> Yeah.

>> Like, across, regions., So,, I'm, going, to

I'm going to stick with that story.

>> I, still, can't, believe, that, we, have

airplanes.

>> Exactly., Exactly., So,, there, you, go.

This is a miracle. Our meeting today is

a miracle.

>> Where, are, we, talking, to, you, from, right

now? I'm in my f I know the s every time

I talk to you I feel like I'm I'm in my

friend's sitting room.

>> Okay.

>> In, London.

>> Well,, what, makes, a, sitting, room?, What's

a sitting room?

>> Good, question., Lots, of, places, to, sit.

>> And, and, and, kind, of, no, other

functionality like where you're just

kind of sitting and staring at each

other, you know?

>> You're, in, London.

>> I'm, in, London.

>> Ah,, I, miss, you,, friend.

>> I, miss, you,, too., I'm, talking, to, Aziz

today and I'm having a lot of um I'm

having a lot of nostalgic feelings

today.

>> I, feel, that, I, really, miss, I, really, miss

us as a as a cast.

>> Same., And, I, and, I, kind, of, feel, like, we

are his aunties a little bit. We are

definitely

>> totally

>> you, you, especially, um, but

>> it, was, the, education, of, Aziz, I'm, sorry

was sort of like the alternate title for

parks and recreation. I know him and

Plaza feel like they were babies. Even

our babies, they were our babies that we

raised.

>> Our, beautiful, family,, the, four, of, us.

>> Before, we, get, to, Aziz,, who, like, you,, I

think has a like a very specific

cultured aesthetic. I'm loving the color

brown that you're wearing.

>> Thank, you, so, much., Because, I, this

somebody told me they didn't like this

color. I don't remember who it was. And

I was like, I do. I don't know why. It's

like very 70s to me.

>> And, I, was, want, I, was, wondering, what, you

think the color of the of the color of

fall is. I always ask Rashidita these

questions cuz she knows. She's in the

know.

>> Well,, there's, a, there's, a, palette, cuz

you know like when you have you ever

done your makeup test where you're like

an autumn or spring or summer?

>> Yeah,, I, think, we, autumn., You, are, such, an

autumn.

>> I, think, you're, you're, a, summer., I, think

>> I, I, think, I, think, you're, right., And, I

very I wanted very much to be a winter.

It's kind of the story of my life.

>> I, love, summer, polos., But, you, love

summer.

>> I, do., But, the, colors, feel, a, little, um, I

don't know, not substantial, like

>> too, playful.

>> Yeah., They, feel, a, little, um, juvenile

>> and, I, want, to,, you, know,, and, I, remember

looking at the palette and saying, I

think I'm a winter. And then Tik Tok

said, no way.

>> No,, ma'am.

>> They, said, blondie, is, not, allowed.

But okay, so that's an autominal color

that you've got going on.

>> This, I, would, say, like, an, olive, green,, a

wine, like a merllo color is very the

color of autumn. Maybe even like a

mustard as an accent.

>> I, can't, even, get, anywhere, near, those

colors. They do not work for me. And

with that in mind, what do you think is

the uh the fashion of the of the season?

What what should we be wearing?

>> Okay.

>> So, people, should, know., Yeah., So,, every

season Rashidita and I and um we we try

to like name how we're going to dress

basically and

>> and, it's, and, it's, it's, steeped, in, either

like a country or a vibe or or like a

trend or or like an anti-trend.

>> What, have, been, some, past, ways, that, we

have we've got we've we've named the

seasons? I can think of a few. Um, high

school art teacher.

>> High, school, art, teacher., Japanese

winter.

>> Tired, ballerina.

>> Tired, ballerina.

What's the last one that would just that

we kind of found from Tik Tok? It was

like frugal chic.

>> Frugal, chic., Frugal, chic., Right.

>> Like, make, your, own, salads,, bring, them, to

work, wear the same like gorgeous

sweater every day.

>> Shop, your, closet., Shop, your, closet.

>> Closet., Mhm., Um,, what, do, we, think, is

happening this fall?

>> What, about, just, like, a, double, f, like

functional fall or like

>> Ooh,

>> I, was, just, in, Paris,, which, of, course

always the fashion so good in Paris and

the way that like girls wear trousers

like it just is it's hard to describe

why they look so much better on them

than anybody else, but there's like

always like a front Oh, maybe it's front

pleet fall.

>> Okay,, you, know, what?, Jenzie, loves, their

front pleat. I know.

>> I, don't, need, any, more, help, down, there, to

feel full.

>> No, more, pleats, in, the, front., Agreed.

Agreed. Okay.

Functional flat front.

>> Functional, flat, front, ball.

>> Okay., You, heard, it, here, first,, guys.

Hashtag trending. Okay. You know, we

always like to talk well behind our

guests back about our guest. What do you

love about Aziz? I'm sorry. Aziz is um

he's a very insatiably curious human

being. He loves to absorb

art food fashion film

traveling. Like he's just he's so open

to experience and I love people who are

like that.

>> I, would, say, that, you're, like, that, too.

And then of course like he's just so

funny and I always want his take on

something um that makes it uh he's a

pleasure to be around in that way.

>> Yeah., What, um, I, feel, like, you, have, you

two have probably gone and done some

groovy things together like

>> we've, been, in, a, lot, of, countries

together.

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah., And, I, love, being, in, Japan, with

Aziz because he'll he'll just he'll just

bust out like the best accent and just

order in Japanese like a full perfect

accent. Yes

>> he, speaks, Japanese.

>> Yes,, a, little, bit., But, it's, his, accent's

so good that he convinces people that

he's

>> can, like, speak, fluently, because, his

accent's so good.

>> Whoa,, that's, cool.

>> Yeah,, very, cool., Is, it, weird, that, every

time I hear about other people speaking

another language, it I just feel so bad

that I don't like I make it about

myself.

>> Fire, of, jeal, fire, of, envy., Same.

>> Well,, people, should, know, that, you

studied French for a while

>> and

>> a, month,

>> babe., A, month, more, than, other, people,

honey.

>> Okay., So,, um,, what, question, do, you, have

for our guest Aziz today? What do you

think I should ask Aziz? Anything you

want to know? Yeah, I was, you know, I

was thinking about something that would

light him up that he'd want to talk

about. Um, and again, as we mentioned

is he's an extremely cultured individual

and, you know, there's probably stuff

that people don't really know about him.

One thing is that he's an excellent chef

and also he loves food. So, A, what's

his favorite thing to cook? And B

what's his favorite thing to eat?

>> Love, that., Love, that., Has, he, ever, made

anything for you?

>> All, the, time., He, cooks, me, dinner, all, the

time.

Everything. My My recent favorite is he

makes this thing. It's like it's an

Indian dish that's specifically for

children. So, I love it. Uh called

chicken 65. And it it's it's bright red

because of the like the pepper powder.

And it's delicious.

>> Yum.

>> Yeah.

>> Ooh., I, want, to, talk, to, him, about, that.

And I want to talk about kitchen gadgets

in general. Oh

>> I, just, got, for, myself,, I, like, to, every

once in a while get myself a kitchen

gadget so that I can continue to uh

encourage myself to cook. I just got

really long thin tongs like

>> not, your, not, your, grabby, tongs,, but

those long ones that you where you can

turn a delicate a delicate mushroom.

>> Wow.

>> I, wish, we, were, hanging, out, together

right now.

>> I, miss, you.

>> I, miss, you,, too.

>> I, really, want, to, do, a, Tik, Tok, dance, with

you. Oh yeah. Um listeners, Rashidita

sent me a Tik Tok dance um and said, "I

wish we were learning this together."

And I watched it and I was like I I

don't think I'd be able to learn it. It

seems

>> 100%, could, do, that.

>> It, looks, so, cool, cuz, they're, such, good

dancers, but it's very simple steps.

>> You, know,, no, one, is, a, bigger, fan., Could

you do the Tik Tok dance and send it

>> by, myself?, I, will., I'll, send, it, to, you.

I'll send it to you. Just don't show

anybody. I will send it to you.

>> Do, that, thing, where, you, make, yourself, a

three people. You know how you can do an

effect where you can look like three

people?

>> Yes,

>> let's, do, that., Let's, add

>> That's, maybe, your, team, after, they, fix

your audio issues can help me do that.

>> Yeah,, we're, going, to, split, this, into

three

>> and, you're, going, to, be, your, own, backup

singer.

>> I'd, love, that., Best, career.

>> Thank, you,, Bones,, for, doing, this., Miss

>> you., Miss, you, so, much, and, love, you, and

have fun with

>> Aziz, Zezers., Baby, Zezy,

>> as, I, call, them,, baby, Zezy.

>> All, right., Thanks,, friend., Love, you.

Love you, too.

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>> God,, this, is, this, is, like, beat, New, York

right now.

>> I, know., It's, so, nice, to, be, People, don't

know we're recording in New York right

now in the fall.

>> Yeah., Wait,, is, this, on, now?

>> Yeah,, we're, on., Oh,, wa., Okay,, good., I'm

glad I didn't drop any racial slurs as I

tend to do when I when I usually see

when you see me right away. We usually

So, what's your favorite right now? And

then I say my favorite and then we start

hanging out. Yeah. So, God, thank

goodness we dropped that tradition.

>> True., Yeah., No,, we're, rolling., And, all

we've been talking about is New York in

the fall.

That's it. New York in the fall, baby.

>> But, do, when, you, come, here,, do, you, get

like um do you ever want to live here?

Well, you still spend time here.

>> I, Yeah,, I, I, feel, like, I, don't, live

anywhere. I'm always just running

around. But whenever I come like

visiting New York is fun because you you

come for and you get a quick hit. You do

all your favorite stuff. You see all

your friends and then and but if I

stayed too long it's too crazy. I'm too

too old now.

>> Yeah,, I, know what, you, mean., It's, it, it

is.

>> Your, little, Zezy, is, all, grown, up.

>> I, know., My, Zezy, is, just, a, He's, an, old

man now.

>> I, know., If, you, watch, if, whenever, I, see

old parks things I was like I didn't

know that me and Aubrey did a show when

we were little kids. Like it's really

>> I, know., How, old, were, you, when, you

started on the show?

>> I, was, 13, in, season

and then when we finished I just turned

18. I I got my driver's license like in

the middle of the run.

>> A, lot, of, people, don't, know, that, you, were

18 when you were playing Tom Hammerford

on Parks and W.

>> Yeah,

>> it, is, true, though., It, is., You, You, look

like a baby. You were a baby.

>> I, didn't, know, anything., I, The, first

seasons I I didn't know how to act or

anything. I should not have been on

television. NBC should be like, "We got

to get Is there any Indian guy that's

done more acting that we can outplay

this guy?"

>> We, want, I, want, to, get, into, this,, too,

because it is it feels like when we we

we've met each other throughout like

we've we've in a bunch of different ways

in a bunch of different places, but New

York City, I will say, feels like, and I

don't, know if, you, feel, this, way, when, you

come here, that you are reminded of when

you were young. Mhm.

>> There, is, a, feeling, here, like, if, you, were

here when you were young, when you come

back you feel younger or something. You

remember your younger self.

>> You, you're, trying, to, get, back, that

energy. You remember you you remember

being outlaid and all this kind of stuff

and and uh

>> cuz, you, were, an, NYU, kid.

>> I, went, to, NYU, and, I, started, doing, comedy

then.

>> Were, you, doing, comedy, like, in, high

school or

>> No,, I, grew, up, in, South, Carolina, so, I, you

know there was no outlet for anything

like that. You know, it was like, you

know, you could dip and and

>> spit, into, a, mountain.

>> You, can, spit, into, a, cup, and, everyone

laugh.

>> Spit, into, a, I, just, drank, Mountain, Dew

and did. That's all I did in high

school.

>> And, did, you, ever, play, four-wheelers?

>> Were, you, in, a, play, at

>> I, was, in, plays, when, I, was, a, kid., I

remember there was some play I did and

uh I don't know what the play was, but I

played like a a cowboy and I was doing

like a big southern accent and I

remember I just crushed and kids were

coming up to me afterwards like that do

it again and and I it was like one of

those things I remember.

>> So, were, you, a, funny, kid?

>> Yeah,, I, like, to, be, funny, in, class, and

and um

>> yeah,, anytime, there, was, anything, that

involved public speaking or something, I

was always super comfortable. Mhm.

>> Um, I, remember, when, I, did, like, something

where I was like 6 years old, I had to

like speak in front of the whole school

and it didn't like phase me at all. I

don't know why.

>> It's, so, funny.

>> Yeah,, because, Okay,, so, when, I, was, in

school in South Carolina, right, this is

in, the, ' 80s., So,, you, know,

>> a, lot, of, these, people, had, never, even

seen Indian people before and I I

skipped first grade. I did skip first

grade and second grade. like in the

middle of first grade, they call my

parents and they're like, "Uh, we we got

to get him out of here. He's too smart.

He already knows all this stuff. I don't

know if it's this this other culture

you're from or what's happening, but we

got to get him the [ __ ] out of this

first grade thing. He needs to go to

second now.

>> Get, him, out, of, my, class., He's

embarrassing everyone else."

>> And, then, I, went, there, and, uh, I, went, to

second grade and it is a little school.

So like I'm like, you know, and there's

like 30 kids in each class. I grew up in

a town of like 8,000 people. So they're

like, "Oh, this this little this little

brown wonder kid." And so like I'm on

the radio and all this

radio and there is there's a there's a

recording somewhere and when I was a

little kid I I had like a southern

accent because that's where I grew up

and that's where I'm around. So I I I

vaguely remember being being on on some

radio program and I was like, "My name's

Aziz. Sorry. And I'm a first grader at

Marbor Academy.

>> When, you're, told, at, six, that, you're, a

smart kid, then you become the smart

kid. Were you the smart kid?

>> I, think, so., But, I, think, it, kind, of

annoyed me in a way. Like I I I like I

didn't want to be painted with a certain

brush., You, know what, I, mean?

>> Yeah., Yeah., I, bet., I, bet, people, are, just

projecting a lot of stuff on you.

>> And, then, I, went, to, the, school, in, 11th

and 12th grade which is in like a

science and math school. And uh it's a

public school in South Carolina called

the Governor's School. And there it's

like all the smartest kids from all over

South Carolina. And there I was just

like this dumb kid that was like smoking

weed and telling dumb stories.

>> And, they, were, like,, "What, happened?, I

thought you skipped first grade."

>> Yeah., 11th, grade., You, should, go, back, to

10

>> expecting., But, yeah,, they, they, kicked

you back down.

>> Yeah., Yeah,, I, mean, it, it, it, we, talked, a

lot about it when we first met like this

idea of growing up in South Carolina in

the 80s as a young Indian boy, one of

probably the only in your class figuring

out

>> de, not, one, one, of, the, there, there, were

in in like first and second grade I

sometimes forget this there there was

this Tai girl her name was Tisha

which does not sound like a Thai name

and they used to always be like what's

up with you and Tisha? I'm not kidding.

I remember there was a play in like

first grade. There was like it was a

play and for some reason there was

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and it was

me and Tisha. We were the stars, you

know. Oh. Oh, diversity. No, no. Me and

Tisha in Bennettville in like 1988.

Leads

>> leads, of, this, mysterious, play, where

there's Mickey and Minnie Mouse, but

there was always like, oh, you know

>> were, you, excited, in, a, way, to, expand, your

horizons and go to New York?

Yeah, I I I I had always it's so

interesting. I was thinking about this

you know, the fact that my dad left, you

know, my family is all from the southern

tip of India up until me and my dad left

India and went to uh like he first came

to Jersey and he was doing like you know

residency or whatever and I I you know

it really I was thinking about this a

couple weeks ago is how remarkable it

was and how scary that must have been to

come over there and not know anything.

you know, this is before internet

FaceTime, nothing. If you're there

you're really gone. And uh same with my

mom as well. And And

>> did, they, come, over, together?

>> My, dad, came, first, and, then, my, mom, came

later. Um but I I was just thinking

about how there was something in my dad.

I asked him about this and he was like

"Oh, I always wanted to go." And it's

weird cuz I grew up in South Carolina

and I think I had a similar thing where

I always wanted to go somewhere, you

know, bigger with more stuff going on.

Yeah, you had that same like drive to to

see more of the world basically.

>> And, luckily, I, I, I, went, to, school, in, New

York, which is the greatest place to be

if you have that kind of feeling.

>> So, when, you're, leaving, South, Carolina,

you apply to NYU, you apply, you're

like, I'm going to go to business

school.

>> I, I, Yeah,, I, didn't, know, what, I, wanted, to

do. This is how dumb I was.

>> Yeah,, business, seems, to, be, the, major

that a lot of men who don't know what

they want to do pick.

>> Like, my, uncle, has, a, business., I, was

like, "Oh, maybe I'll start my own

business and I'll major in business."

That's that's how silly I was. And then

I get there and there's all these kids

that are talking about Goldman Sachs and

all stuff. I don't even know what

Goldman Sachs is. And I'm completely

confused. And I had friends that were in

Tish, the the film and television

school. I was thinking about switching

to that or maybe the Gallatin School

where you make up your own major.

>> But, I, never, really, got, it, together., The

little combination of laziness and and I

also started doing standup like the

summer of my freshman year. And I I

distinctly remember sitting in a class

in my sophomore year and just thinking

I'm just going to do something with

stand up. At the least I'll be a

comedian that does comedy clubs and that

that's fine for me.

>> How, do, you, be, how, do, you, go, do, standup?

You're not like what makes you go do

standup when you're when you're in

college?

>> It, it, was, one, of, these, weird, things., I

was in school my freshman year and I was

just sitting around and telling stories

and people were laughing and someone was

like, "Oh man, you should try to do

standup." And then a week later the same

thing happened and it was like one of

these weird maybe the universe is saying

something. And then I went to a comedy

club. I went to the comedy cellar, which

I still perform at all the time. And I

saw a show and I was like, I think I can

do this. And and I and I tried it and I

I wasn't great. I did well.

>> Mhm.

>> But, I, was, very, comfortable, with, it, and, I

really enjoyed it. And I just wanted to

get good at it. I just wanted to get

better. I never thought about anything

further about, you know, acting or any

of that stuff. I just wanted to get good

at this. And it really goes back to what

you were saying earlier where you get

that high of like, you know, oh, I I

want that feeling again.

>> Yeah., And, so, I, uh, I, started, there, and

then uh it just kind of went from there.

>> Well,, when, we, met,, do, you, remember, the

first time we met? I was trying to think

today. I mean, I don't remember

anything.

>> I, have, so, many, friends, where, I'm, like,

when did we first meet? I mean, one of

the first times I remember meeting you

was so the UCB theater and there was a

uh Monday night standup show at 11:00

which is like a tough slot. Monday at 11

is not the prime slot, but they were

doing a stand-up show and um Matt

Besser, who was a part of UCB, asked me

if I would want to do the standup show

and I started doing it and I was booking

like my favorite comedians and and um I

would host it every week and it really

took off and I remember one week you

came and I was like, whoa. like you just

came to see it and said hi and and that

that's one of the first times I remember

meeting

>> that's, what, I, was, going, to, say, is, I

remember meeting you by seeing you on

stage that's back when we could all just

you know sleep all day and then go to do

a show at 11:00 on Monday night

>> then, you, go, on, and, you, do

>> you, create, your, own, sketch, show

>> yeah, we, we, did, the, sketch, show, on, MTV

yeah

>> yeah, and, that, was, kind, of, like, 2007

which was such a cool time for I think

for comedy at the time because you had

>> MTV, TV, and, Comedy, Central, and, all, these

places like taking big risks on on green

apples.

>> Yeah., And, and, Adult, Swim, and, all, these

things. Yeah.

>> Were, you, on, Adult, Swim?

>> No,, but, but, that, was, around, and, things

like Tim and Eric and

>> Yeah., And, it, was, like, here's, this, kind

of niche vibe. Let's give them a show

for, you know, like let's see what they

can do for a couple of seasons. Yeah.

>> And, so, that, that, show, was, Human, Giant.

Yeah.

>> And, you, wrote, and, and, what, did, you, learn

from doing a sketch show?

SketchU is really hard. I mean, you

know, uh that's one of the hardest

things to do cuz especially even just

from a production standpoint, you know

everything is different. There's no

consistency. You're always doing new

costumes. It's new locations. It's

really a hard thing to do. And writing

sketches is really hard. But there was

one sketch I did that I I wrote uh I

think you know we all kind of wrote

together but but it was one that I

really liked and and it was one that uh

Greg Daniels and Mike Sher saw that and

ended and it was because it was on

YouTube or Funny or Die or whatever and

and that was what got me the gig on

Parks.

>> Yeah., And, was, it, Shutter, Books?, No,, it

was this it was it was called viral

videos and the premise was me and Rob

Hub and we were on a talk show that Paul

was hosting and Hubil had just made a

viral video uh because he he did a video

where he cut his penis off and it went

viral and he was like so excited. I got

you know, two million views and then

he's like, "Oh, we have this other guy.

His name's, you know, Kevin Griezler. He

has a viral video, too. and it's me and

and I got like 40 million followers and

all I did was just make funny faces like

>> and, so, he, has, to, reckon, with, the, fact, he

has

>> he, could, have, just, made, funny, faces, and

he's he's done something a little bit

more extreme and uh yeah it was a fun

sketch and um but that's what uh Greg

and Mike told me they saw and they're

like oh we should get

>> yeah, because, a, lot, of, people, don't, know

you were the first person hired for

parks

>> uh, yeah, I, met, with, them, and

>> what, was, that, meeting, like, do, you

remember it.

>> Well,, it, was, so, mysterious, what, they

were up to. I had a meeting with them

and I told them, "I don't know what

you're doing, but whatever it is, that

would be a dream job." And um and you

know, this was like when The Office was

on and Mike and Greg were both involved

in that and that was, you know, my

favorite show like that on the air and

and so I told him, "Whatever you're up

to, let me know." And then of course

you know, when it all came together with

you and Rashidita and everything and and

>> Well,, I'm, kind, of, learning, when, I, was

talking to Plaza when Plaza was here

she was uh talking about like her

meeting with them too and

>> Yeah., Yeah., Very, famous, stories., Yeah.

Yeah.

>> I, know., And, it's, kind, of, funny., I, kind

of forgot the Avengers Assemble feeling

of those guys going out and and getting

people and bringing them in and talking

about like we're going to do something

very cool. I mean, it it was it didn't

even feel like there was a ton of

auditioning. It was more just them

picking people that they thought was

funny.

>> Not, only, funny,, and, I, I, feel, like, all, of

us whenever we see each other, do

interviews, kind of say this kind of

stuff at nauseium, but it's so true. But

also just the best people I've ever met

in my life.

>> Yeah.

>> Like, really,, I, cannot, believe, it., Cuz

we've all done other stuff. And you

know, not everybody's

>> you, know,, look,, we've, all, done, other

stuff. I don't talk about everything the

way I talk about parts.

>> You, know,, you, do, some, things, and, some

people it's different energy, not

necessarily mean or bad, but just

something like we all just clicked and

there was a vibe that worked with all of

us and and and and just to pay respect

to you and Mike, you know, when I did

Master None with Allan and as I become a

director, I I you know, what I learned

from you and Mike in terms of how to

lead

um I mean, I can't thank you enough. It

was the the best role model I could ever

have. C's

see

>> you, know, I, I, when, I, I, started, watching

your podcast and so then Park's clips

started coming on YouTube and

>> when, I, watch, it, sometimes, I, I, just, think

about us making it and and the it's

funnier for me to watch the bloopers cuz

that feels more like my experience

>> and, oh, gosh, some, of, those, things, that

came up I hadn't thought about in so

long and they were cracking me up. I saw

this clip. It was it was it was I don't

remember the context of the episode or

whatever, but it's we're in Ron's office

and me and Donna there's something

called blouch and and and Ron has

decided bronze and blush. So me and

Reetta start just going bronze and blush

bronze and blu. And then I jump on the

table and bush run and and me and Rea's

dancing is getting crazier and crazier

and we're just doing just dancing

dancing all over our doing all the crazy

stuff and they showed that that was what

we shot and then they showed the scene

as it aired and it was just like run and

it cut.

That's also my favorite thing. It's like

I mean I love trying to if I could try

to get someone to break you're pretty

good. I don't I you know. Yeah

>> Pepperman's, pretty, high, up, on, that.

>> Agree., He, never, cracked, up.

>> And, oh, man,, I, there, was, a, couple, of

times where I almost where where I got

like I think he didn't laugh, but I

think his musack may have went up a

little bit and I remember one thing that

you wrote. It was an episode you wrote.

I was doing that puppy boys and then the

and the puppy started looking at his

mustache and I was like, "Hi, Mr.

Ponson. I like your mustache. I'm just a

little puppy." And it it all I think it

almost got

>> it, almost, got., You're, so, right., I, mean

the, the, the, the, the, set, the, the the

setup there was like you had you had a

chance to play around like you got to

try your stuff. I mean the fact that

that treat yourself is used on you know

cocktail napkins and in Kmart and like

it's everywhere. And I I went to some

ice cream place one time and they're

like treat yourself to a sample. I was

like, "Can I have a sample?" I was like

"Please don't please don't connect

this."

>> Luckily,, the, person, did, put

>> didn't, put, them, together., Yeah., I, mean,

I I that's become part of the lexicon.

And I can remember that moment, which by

the way, it's so funny in that moment.

Treat yourself because you guys say

treat yourself 2011. And I'm like, oh my

gosh, 2011. Remember that?

>> And, then, there, was, one, in, the, future

that was like, treat yourself 2014.

It's like it's 2025.

What's happening? But I remember that

episode deeply because it felt like it

was a great example of the writers and

the producers realizing like what made

you laugh, what made Aziz laugh like

what would be like a what would be fun

for us? Like that's what they started

doing so well.

>> Yes., I, think, they, they, just, the, more

they got to know us and it was such a

good group that you could just be like

what happens if we put these two

together and then of course we had like

the greatest people coming in and doing

bit parts and they were all just so

funny and the characters

another clip I watched that and I think

you know talking about breaking this was

is the hardest scene I've ever had to

film in my entire acting career and it

was and and and if It's on YouTube the

the blooper of this and it's me and Do

you remember the scene? It's me and Adam

Scott and we're having lunch with Joan

Calmed.

>> Yes., The, great, Mo, Collins.

>> Mo, Collins, who, always, is, just, so, funny.

And she said we're at a lunch and she

says, "I'm going to go powder my nose

amongst other things." And then she

walks away. And then Adam comes to me

and goes, and then Ben is supposed to

say, "Uh, dude, is she going to go

powder her vagina?"

and we couldn't do it. And and this is

the only time I think this ever happened

on parks or anything where me and Adam

were like just let's just film the rest

of the stuff and we'll come back to

that.

>> We'll, come, back., We'll, just, come, back, to

the cuz we couldn't do it. And then cuz

cuz it's just the most absurd task cuz

he'll be like, "Okay, no, no, we got it

this, time.", Okay., All right., All right,

guys. Ready? Okay. Amongst other things

is she

you know, he could have said, "Dude, she

had no power vagina." But we couldn't

get through it.

>> And, Mo, was, so, funny, doing, it., How, she

was like stumbling out of the table.

>> Yeah., And, then, she'd, add, some, other

thing. And you're like, "You can't do

that. I just stealed myself." And now

you just did this other funny thing.

That's not fair.

>> Oh, my., I, love, I, love, a, blooper., I, love

bloopers in general. I love a blooper.

>> Yeah., But, watching, these, parks, bloopers

was after I watched your thing, it put

me on the algorithm. It was It was It

was, so, fun., Oh,, and, you, know what, I, also

wanted to say when we're in the in the

parks and recreation world for a second

my kids loved Aziz. They're in their

late teens and when they see you on TV

they go, "Oh, is turkey sandwich in

this?" So, yes, my kids were little when

they when I was uh shooting that show

and they would come and visit and Aziz

you're really good with kids

>> and, you, do, a, thing, that, they, love,, which

is you kind of like

>> I, don't, It's, funny., You, realize

sometimes with kids with with people and

kids either people like come on too

strong and just like want to want want

to interact and kids are like

or they just you know they don't know or

they're like hello young person. But

Aziz would basically do these bits with

them that would make them laugh so much.

One of them is you would walk by my

oldest and pretend to be on the phone

with his best friend.

Oh, what was his name?

>> Watson., Watson.

>> That's, right., Oh,, hey,, Watson., What's

going on? No, I'm just on set.

>> Yeah., And, my, oldest, would, just, kind, of

listen and be like

>> "Wait,, he's, talking, to, my, friend?", Like

he was like 5 years old.

And the other day as as you were just

like doing funny bits with them and one

day you were you were holding or eating

a turkey sandwich and they started

laughing and pointing at you and saying

"Turkey sandwich, turkey sandwich

whatever." And you loved that. I just

remember you thinking it was so funny.

And the other thing I just wanted you

you you, mentioned, like, your, algorithm

and your phone taking you to parks

clips. I did want to talk to you today

about your relationship to your phone.

>> What, is, your, relationship, to, your, phone

now?

>> I, I, try, to, stay, off, everything, as, much

as I can. I

>> How, do, How, do, you, do, that?, Teach, me, your

ways.

>> I, I, um, uh

I I have I don't have email. I haven't

had email for like 10 years.

>> Incredible.

>> Yeah., But, I, have, I, have, an, assistant.

>> Okay., All, right., But, still, that, means

there's also stuff like

>> you, know, like, flip, phone, and, if, I, get

really lost I I got to either

>> ask, people, or, or, just, call, my, wife, and

be like hey

>> I've, had, to, do, that, before, like, call, my

wife and I and it to the point where

she's like kind of used to it

>> but

>> and, if, you, know, I, hail, taxis, and, if

there's not a taxi sometimes I'll call

and be there's no one around.

>> So, you, don't, use, like, an, Uber, app?, I, I

usually, in in, London, there's, taxis, all

the time. You can handle them. And here

too., Yeah., In, New York., Yeah.

>> Well,, why, do, you, why, do, you, have, that

kind of relationship with your phone?

>> It, just, gives, me, more, space, to, think., I

mean, I heard something about like

Tarantino doesn't even have a phone.

Chris Nolan doesn't have a phone. I was

like, whoa, those guys are able to get a

lot of stuff done. Maybe there's

something to it.

>> It, does, feel, like, the, the, the

eventual next step will be just that

will be people like breaking up with

their phones in that pretty consuming

and uh yeah I I but that that's just me.

I don't know I

>> no, I, relate, and, I, I'm, genuinely, asking

because I feel like my relationship with

my phone has just just gotten deeper and

more

>> time, on, parks, you, told, some, told, me

something about how your phone fell in

the pool or something and you didn't

have for a couple days and you're like

this is the greatest thing ever.

>> Yeah,, it, definitely, feels, like, something

that had has taken over. It's going to

be really interesting this generation

like Gen Z and Gen Alpha who have grown

up with a phone in their hand.

>> I, saw, a, Gen, Alpha, kid, one, time, at, the

airport and they had a flip phone. I

guess it was like cuz some parents get

their, kid, a, flip., All right,, I'll, get

you flip phone. Sure. So, I saw that and

then I had I had mine and I saw the kid

and I went like this and dapped her flip

phone and she was completely confused.

>> You, know,, another, thing.

>> Can, I, see, your, flip, phone?

>> God,, this, thing, doesn't, even, work, that

well. Um I but another thing is I one

time I was eating in in a restaurant in

London and I heard my phone going off

and I checked and nothing was going on

but it was another dude that had a flip

and then we just started talking and um

he we were talking about all this and

just joking about how like oh what do

you do when you get lost and all this

kind of stuff and uh you know classic

flip phone guy combo and um and then he

said you know the thing I think you got

to avoid now is is the chatbot and I was

like oh 100%.

>> Okay,, let's, talk, about, that., The, AI,

>> not, the, AI,, but, just, chatbot.

>> Chatbot, or, I, I, think, I'm, not, even

calling it right, but the thing where

you type the chat GBT. I call it

chatbot. Yeah, but it's chat GPT. See, I

don't even know the name.

>> Agree.

>> I, think, this, is, like,, you, know,, it's

outsourcing critical thinking. It's

making everyone's opinions kind of same.

This is my feeling, you know, and and I

think people using it instead of Google

most of the time it's wrong. And and

it's just kind of like telling you what

you want to hear so you can keep asking

you questions and you know I someone

showed me some commercial where it's

like someone said like no how do I make

a dinner for this girl that makes and

I'm like why I would rather someone call

someone and and ask someone or maybe

have some sort of conversation a human

thing like I it just seems like it's

like outsourcing

>> it, is

>> thinking, and, and, it's, like, killing, some

bit, of, humanity, and, I, don't know, it, it

kind of makes you I was reading some

article where it said like it's making

everyone a little more basic.

>> Ooh, yeah, that's, real., I, think, that's

real. You know I've always found you to

be a very curious person who's kind of

interested in why we do things. Like you

you're very interested in the why of

like why people make choices. And I feel

like definitely the last few standup

specials that I've seen you do

definitely have that feeling. And what

is it? Are you doing standup right now?

Are you out doing it at all or

>> I'm, I'm, just, been, promoting, the, movie

now,, but, I, think, I'm, going to, go, out, um

in in after the movie in like October

November. Um

>> and, do, new, all, new, material, or, do

>> I've, been, doing, stuff, about, like, being

married and and uh you know I we're

trying to like have a kid talking about

all that stuff.

>> So, what's, it, like, being, married?

>> Is, it, fun, being, married?

>> No,, I, love, my, wife, very, very, much., She's

great that's ever happened to me. Yeah

you met her a handful of times and uh

yeah, she's great.

>> How, did, you, meet?

>> Uh, we, met, in, London, and, uh, you, know,, we

did long distance for a while and then

uh yeah, I I was like, "All right

>> how, has, being, married, changed, you?"

>> I, just, feel, like, all, the, other, stuff

doesn't really matter to me anymore

>> you, know?, I'm, just, like,, "Oh,, wow., This

this person is is everything to me." And

just to to have that person to come home

to and to hold and that that uh that's

it kind of makes everything else seem

like it's less important.

>> I, mean, sorry, I, love, it., I'm, so, happy, for

you. I'm excited to hear what you say on

stage about marriage and relationship

because um I've always known you to be a

a person who's um has who has a lot of

love to give. Oh.

>> Oh,, thank, you.

>> Get, those, tears, going,, Aziz.

>> Let's, get, those, tears, going., Chop, chop.

Before we talk about Good Fortune, your

new film, which looks amazing, and holy

[ __ ] the cast is great and you wrote

and directed it. It's so good. Um, when

you were doing Master of None, it Master

of None feels like a show with Alan Yang

that you created.

>> Yeah.

>> It, feels, like, when, I, was, when, I, was

looking up and and going over your stuff

and being reminded of it almost feels

like a different time in television that

it was precoid.

>> Yeah., I, mean,, was, it, it's, like, a, time

capsule in New York now that show, you

know, it's about 10 years old now, you

know, when we were making it. And um

that was when Netflix first came out.

And this was this was a time when

Netflix was like, you remember people

would be like, "Oh, there's a new

Netflix show." You know, they had so

few. And so every show got their shine.

And you know, when Allan and I made that

show, the idea of like, "Whoa, this guy

this guy that's got the brown face is

starring in the show, like that was like

not really happening, you know." And um

>> uh, yeah,, and, they, let, us, kind, of, really

do what we wanted. Like you know, when

people talk about, oh, you know, getting

notes, they hadn't even hired people to

give, notes, yet., You, know what, I, mean?

And then the first season did really

well. So the second season was like

"Yeah, just keep doing your thing." And

uh and and and it was it was just a

radically different time. And now

streaming and making shows and all these

things have become much much different.

>> Yeah., The, whole, industry, is, so

different. And I remember you guys

feeling

excited about um about doing that. What

was it like to leave an ensemble and

then be like the lead of a show? And and

the

>> Well,, that's, the, other, thing, about, Parks

is is Parks is not only you you're

you're on this great show, but

everything's taken care of. Like you

just show up and you're like, "Treat

yourself. Good night. See you, Z. Thanks

so much. Great day at work." And and and

that is not what you do on Master. Not

what I did on Good Fortune. You you have

to pick

you know, people I think sometimes

>> you, know,, they're, like,, "What, is

directing?" You don't really, it's kind

of a vague thing. And and it's really

you're just deciding everything, you

know? You're like, "Okay, well, okay.

Where where does the scene take place?

Okay, a restaurant. Okay, let's go drive

around and look at how many restaurants

got to pick the restaurant. What are the

people wearing?" You're you're making so

many decisions. You're crafting

everything and you're there and then and

you have to, you know, I I'm writing

everything, too. So, you have to write

it and then you have to figure out how

everything's going to look and make all

these decisions and then you have to

edit it and you have to make sure it all

works. And it's a much more involved

process. Uh and and just acting is a

much different, you know, simpler gig

you know.

>> Um

>> what, part, of, directing, surprises, you

that you like so much?

>> I, just, love, these, moments, where, you've

written something and you have your

actors and you know, you had in your

head certain way and then someone does

something a little surprising or it just

goes to another level. and and you know

when I I was looking at some behind the

stuff scenes for good fortune and this I

really enjoyed the stuff where I wasn't

acting and I was just over the side and

like you know it was like Hanu and Seth

and they were doing something that was

cracking me up and I was just you know

laughing in and you know trying not to

>> mess, up, the, scene, and, um, those, moments

are super fun. I mean there's another

there's a scene where they're like

riding in a car and and um they were

like okay do you want to follow them in

the van be on the radio? I was like oh

those radios always cut out I'm just

going to hide in the back seat. So I was

like curled up like this and I was just

like yelling jokes and and you know Seth

and Kiana are so iconic and like hearing

them say the jokes like the way you have

it in your head but also a little

funnier. I mean that that when it really

feels like you're a little kid playing

those those are the best parts. You know

what I mean?

>> Totally., and, and, and, also, to, be, allow

yourself to still do that because

sometimes I think you know when you're

working on anything that you created no

matter it doesn't have to be a film it

can be anything that you made and you

like hand it over and and people then

start to work on it it's hard to not to

not be too um rigid about it like you

want you have an idea of how it's going

to go and it's supposed to go that way

and

>> the, reason, why, we, work, with, other, people

is to collaborate.

>> Yeah., Yeah., to, and, to, play, like, that, and

to see what they have to say and and I

love collaborating with actors, which is

something I learned from um from our

experience on Parks, you know, Mike and

all the writers, they would take all

these little things like, "Oh

Offerman's into woodworking. Maybe that

oh, he plays a saxophone, maybe, you

know,

>> and, and, I've, always, spent, a, lot, of, time

trying to get to know the people that I

work with and try to figure out how to

put more of them into it and try to

understand who they are to help write

the character better, make it feel more

like them." Um, let's talk about Good

Fortune because that cast is Okay, so

first of all, is Kano as nice as he

seems.

>> He, He's, the, best.

>> He, seems, incredible.

>> Yeah,, he's, the, best., And, he's, also, he's

like the sweetest guy, but he's also

like the coolest guy in the world. Like

he kind of balances both things. Like

you know, we'll do like rehearsals at my

house or whatever and Kean will show up

like on a motorcycle. Like he looks like

he drove from an anime movie straight

into reality. Then he gets out, he's

wearing like all black. He's got like a

backpack from the future. He takes it

off. He's got boots on and and he's just

the coolest. And me and Seth are just

like

>> I, mean, I, don't, know., I, don't, like, that

Kean was still driving a motorcycle. I

want him off that motorcycle for for

insurance purposes.

>> Is, riding, that, motorcycle., I'm, like

No. No. He loves his motorcycle. Yeah.

>> And, Seth, and, Kiki, you've, worked, with

before. Kiki is the best.

>> You, got, to, meet, Kiki., Kiki, is, one, of, my

favorite people.

>> I, have, met, Kiki.

>> You, have?, I, got, the, privilege, of, doing

her podcast.

>> Oh,, you, did?, We, did, her, podcast,, too., It

was so fun.

>> So, fun., Kiki, and, I, have, had, dinner,, not

to brag, by ourselves, just the two of

us.

>> She's, like, in, Australia, now., We, rarely

get to see each other.

>> She, works, all, the, time., She's, so, She, is

so naturally funny. I've described Kiki.

She is a a movie star. Hilarious.

>> She, once, told, me, her, aunt, died, in, a, way

that was really funny, and I was like

"How did you do that?" I'm laughing and

you tell me till your aunt died.

>> She, is, so, quick., She, She's, so, sharp.

She's so talented. I mean, she's just as

good a singer and performer as she is an

actress.

>> We, had, the, scene, where, me, and, Kiki, are

dancing and I was like working with some

choreographer and then Kiki is just

like, "Oh, yeah." And then just does all

this crazy stuff. And I'm like, "Oh

>> yeah., She, is, a, she's, so, talented.", And, I

mean, the cast is really awesome. How

did you um I guess like how did you let

everybody play an experiment on the like

was did was it a was it that kind of set

like did you

>> Yeah,, I, mean, I, think, look, if, you, cast

the right people it's all going to come

together in a and gel in a nice way and

and you know I I spent a lot of time

rehearsing with everybody so we kind of

>> Okay., Do, you, like, to, rehearse?

>> I, like, to, spend, a, lot, of, time., So, we

because you know when you're actually on

set, that is the most precious time when

the camera's rolling to get to that

moment. It it's so precious and you're

always don't have enough time blah blah.

So the more time I can spend with these

people beforehand and rehearse and kind

of

>> make, sure, everything, sounds, right

beforehand and and you know rewrite

things to make it really sound like

them, then when we get on set there's

just less we're already kind of almost

there.

>> Yeah.

>> U, but, of, course, once, you're, there, in, the

place with the clothes and everything

else, you come up with new ideas.

they're so

comfortable with

you know Keanu at first I think Keanu

was a little

he

as a comedy guy as much as me and Seth

but he he got into it and he he would

improvise and stuff a little bit

>> and, I, I, told, Seth, I, was, like, could, you

imagine if like we did an action movie

how how awkward like kind of what I'm

>> I'm, going, to, push, back, on, that, because, I

feel like we would be great as an action

movie. I Cuz I want I want us to be able

to do more action.

>> Really?

>> Don't, you, wish, you, could, do, a, film, where

you get to just say one line a day?

>> Oh,, yeah., Kiana, barely, speaks, in, those

movies. What do

>> you, mean?, You, know,, when, I, was, a, kid,, my

favorite movies were all action movies.

And my favorite movies were like

Terminator 2 and Die Hard. And I mean, I

still love those movies. Those are some

of my favorite movies, but I I loved

action movies as a kid. when I was a

little kid I that you know it's I I was

I mean I I like comedy and all this

stuff but

>> I, feel, like, once, you, start, talking, you

it's diminishing returns like once you

actually start talking in film

everyone's like oh that's how they talk

oh they're saying that like but if you

never talk

>> like, which, are, you, trying, to, be, like, in

a Fast and Furious movie what's the

action movie

>> I, would, like, more, of, like, a, boring

identity

>> oh, whoa

>> just, walking, through, the, streets, of, a

European city

>> I, like, that

>> leather, jacket, I, feel, like, everyone

would like if if I did that everyone

would go like

on the screen.

>> Well,, that's, a, sometimes, sometimes

people send me stuff that's more

serious. I'm like, they're just going to

think I'm too silly to be this guy.

>> I'm, and, it's, going, to, hurt, the, movie., I

can't do it for you.

>> I, know, what, you, mean., I, can't, show, up, as

the villain and people aren't going to

be like, "She's too nice. She's going to

change her mind."

I do think it's amazing when people like

decide to do a a 180 as an actor and

then they play someone really horrible

and you're just like, "Oh no, we love

that person." And now they're

>> Some, people, can, do, it,, you, know?, Even

when Keanu and I one day we were doing

some press stuff together and and there

was like a room that I was waiting in in

between and it would happened to be like

John Wick weekend and like I was

watching, some, of the, Wick, stuff., I'm

like, "Wow, I can't believe he did this

and then plays this very silly guy in my

movie." And it's the same guy. It's it's

it's really impressive. He just also has

um a great reputation for being a

wonderful person, Keanu. Like it just

seems like

you know, those kind of things um just

get out into the world and he just seems

like he's handled his giant fame and his

like very long um

>> yeah,, he's, been, a, long, long, time., Yeah.

I mean, when I was about to meet him, I

did like a little film festival and I

was re-watching like Parenthood and and

>> Parenthood., I, just, saw, rewatch

Parenthood on the plane. It's so good.

>> It's, incredible.

>> It, is., It's, so, good.

>> I, I, during, that, weekend, that, it, with, the

John Wick weekend, they showed

Parenthood, too, and I was watching in

between and I was just very

>> different.

I know. Do you Are there films that you

go back to that are like your comfort

watches? It's like if you're if you're

if it's a rainy day and you're like I'm

going to, put, on, a, movie., Do, you, like, to

watch films?

>> I, I, love, watching, films, and, and, there's

definitely like a film nerd element to

my wife to my life and and um

>> uh, yeah,, the, movies, I, go, back, to, a, lot.

I love you know I you know working on

this I I and and all the time when I'm

writing I revisit a I revisit like Being

John Malovich a lot. I love that. I love

Eternal Sunshine. Smile Eternal

Sunshine. Um, those two I visit a lot. I

love those. And then I love watching

just older movies, too.

>> Me,, too., I, mean,, I, I, I, feel, like, the, the

joy of getting older is like looking

back and realizing, oh, there's a lot of

stuff I still haven't seen, you know?

>> Oh,, yeah., It, never, ends.

>> I, know.

>> I, mean,, that's, the, thing, that, got, me

into being more diligent about watching

film was, you know, I realized, oh, all

these directors that I love, whether

it's like Scorsesei or Paul Thomas

Sanders, whatever, they've seen every

movie. And I was like, that can't be a

coincidence. I got to be honest

sometimes it's overwhelming. Like the

way people who make films talk about

films definitely makes me feel like

stressed.

>> Oh,, I, had, to, go, on, like, TCM, or, whatever

and I was like, "Hey man, I I might get

some things wrong here cuz like Scorsese

will be like and and the person that did

the craft services here um you know, he

was making these ham sandwiches that had

this special kind of cheese that that

everybody loved and uh Greta Garbo

didn't like them. So he for her he would

do it with turkey and you how

>> totally, tell, it's, like, I, don't, know, I

don't know it I know it's just and and

it and it definitely feels like that

feeling like when you have an oral exam

in school like

>> watching, parks, and, recreation, and, you

know any Polish kids call it these I'm

sorry turkey sandwich

>> how, do, you, remember, all, this

>> I, know, it's, intense, okay, speaking, of

food though turkey sandwich and food I

want to talk to you about food

>> sure

>> okay, before, we, wrap, Because, I, feel, like

the food, your relationship to food is

is ties in into the bigger idea of you

like trying to open yourself up to a lot

of stuff in life like being curious.

>> Sure.

>> You, growing, up,, what, was, the, food, you

were eating growing up?

>> I, My, mom, would, cook, Indian, food, and

there was a woman that took care of us.

Her name was Miss Biola and she cooked

southern food. So there would be, you

know, Indian food like biryani or

whatever and then there'd be like

chicken and dumplings and

>> incredible.

>> Weirdly, I, think, would, eat, a, little, bit

of both.

>> So, I, grew, up, on, southern, food, and, Indian

food.

>> Okay., And, then, when, did, you, become, when

did you start realizing like I I

actually care very much about what I eat

and I want to learn how to cook and be a

good cook.

>> It's, interesting, you, ask, because, I, think

people think of me as like oh that was

all the restaurants. Like I know I

actually like just cook at home all the

time now. I love to cook and and that um

uh

>> I, think, it, happened, and, a, lot, of, it, was

during co I started cooking more and

more and it was kind of what our day was

based around. It's like oh we're going

to cook cuz I I was in London during co

and and the farmers markets and stuff

didn't close and you kind of walk around

and and so food became a way to kind of

structure your day a little bit.

>> Yeah.

>> Um, but, during, CO, I, wanted, to, learn, all

my mom's recipes and uh so I asked my

mom to help me cuz Indian food is very

intimidating. I I um but it's not a

Wait, do I ever send you those cookbooks

I make? I make these cookbooks for

friends. Uh I got to send you one. I'm

sorry.

>> No,

>> I'll, send, you, all, of, them.

>> Wait,, wait., So So, you, like, transcribed

your mom's recipes?

>> Not, all, of, them,, but, like, every, year

like during Christmas time, I make this.

I'm so sorry I haven't sent it to you.

I'll send it to you. No worries. But uh

yeah, I uh I I just whatever I've been

cooking that year and I've done I

started during co and then and I just

kind of kept it going.

>> Oh,, that's, awesome., But, Indian, food, is

what I really love to cook.

>> What, What, makes, Indian, food, like, for, for

a person just cooking like hard to cook?

Why, is that?

>> It's, nothing, hard., It's, just,, you, know,

I would ask I'm like, "Oh, how much of

that, coriander, powder, did, you, put in?"

It's like, "I don't know. I didn't me,"

you know, and you're like, "Wait, but

but and you're scared that you're going

to mess it up." But it's not like

baking, you know, where like, "Oh, if

you put like a teaspoon too much, it's

not really going to screw it up too

much." And the other thing that's super

helpful is YouTube. if you can because

you can watch there's all these people

in in uh like you know aunties and stuff

in India that have YouTube channels and

they show you how to cook everything and

seeing it visually makes it a little

less intimidating and you just got to do

that first trip to the Indian store and

and get I always think that term is kind

of funny that's what everybody calls

like the Indian grocery store they call

the Indian store but that sounds like

you're going and buying Indian people

>> no, you're, not

ingredients

>> but, uh, you, just, got, to, get, all, the, stuff

and they keep in the pantry and then

it's like oh yeah everything's like

"Oh, yeah. Slice some onions and some

little ginger garlic and then some

spices and then maybe a tomato and then

you put the chicken in, stir it around

20 minutes, it's done." But

>> wait,, can, I, tell, you?, So,, I, cooked, for

Rashidita

>> like, a, week, ago.

>> Mhm.

>> She, lives, really, close, to, me, and, uh, her

family came over and she brought her

little kid and she was like I was like

cooking Indian food and she's like, "Can

you make something for him? Something

not too intense." I was like "Oh, I got

it. I got to make him chicken 65."

That's like it's like chicken like

Indian chicken nuggets almost. They're

like little pieces of chicken. Little

kids love it. So every little and every

kid loves it. And so I made him Chicken

65 and he ate it and then he started

going crazy. He just like had so much

energy. And then I realized it's because

the chicken 65 they put red food

coloring in it to make it bright red and

the red food coloring has that dye that

makes the kids go crazy.

>> Go, crazy., It, got, him, pumped, up.

>> Yeah., So, now, whenever, they, come, over, I

just make a bunch of chicken 65 and he

goes nuts. Well, it is so funny they say

that because we do a thing here on the

podcast where we like to talk to

somebody before the podcast. We talk

well behind their back

>> and, I, get, a, question, and, I, just, talked

to Rashidita.

>> Oh,, well.

>> And, Rashidita, just, told, us, that, you, made

her chicken 65.

>> She, loves, it., She, was, like, she's, like

she she was like let's comfort her

again. I was like what do you watch

chicken 65?

>> She, loves, it., And, and, you, know, in, many

ways I we both we Rashidita and I feel

like we were your auntie at times on

that show and I know Rashidita and you

guys like and she was talking about like

how you know what we were talking about

earlier that you are um like what she

really respects about you is the way

that you're a curious person always

trying to um learn more about yourself

and the world. And her question was um

and she was you know saying you're a

very very good chef.

>> Oh

>> chef, or, cook?, What, would, you, say?, Chef

cook

a little more seems like someone else

has to call you.

>> I'm, not, that, good., I'm, not, that, great.

>> Um, if, you, get, the, right, hat,, you, become

a chef. You just put it on. Um but um as

a cook, she wanted me to ask you what is

your um favorite thing to cook?

Uh I love to cook Indian food and I love

cooking stuff. I think there's something

special about the food you ate growing

up and the food your family made. And um

I think there's some you know one time I

went to India and I stayed for a little

extra time and and I asked my family I

was like oh who's like really like kind

of the, mean, cooks, like, who, can, I, learn

from? And I stayed for a couple days

with this uh some people that were a

little bit distant relatives like my

aunt sister or something like that. And

um they showed me so much stuff and and

and uh

>> they, were, cooking, in, their, home, and

showed you.

>> Yeah., And, just, learning, like, home, food

that comes from your family. I think

there's something special about it and

and you know cuz that's I think that's

something important to pass down and and

you know my own my own parents you know

they're they're all healthy and

everything but you know you start

thinking about their their time and and

and just like oh wow like uh it's a

piece of your family history that I

think is cool to try to preserve. I feel

like you also took cooking lessons

somewhere else too. Did you go to Italy

or

>> in, season, two, of, Master?, That, also, gave

me a big help to be comfortable in the

kitchen. So it it made it less

intimidating. But uh season 2 took place

in Italy. So before we filmed it, I I

went and lived in this town in Italy and

I I uh learned Italian a little bit and

and I worked in these kitchens and these

places and and these these people did

not really know who I was and I was

like, "Yeah, I'm working on a TV show."

And they're like, "Oh, okay." And then

but they they let me work in the

kitchens and I I I uh

>> I, learned, a, lot, from, these, these, people

that were there and they were so nice

and um it it kind of gave me some

confidence to to kind of start with the

Italian food. And then I there was a

couple of Indian things I could make but

then when during co I really started I

had more time. I had nothing to do. So I

was just like okay I'm going to keep

pushing this. I always say this, I did

not grow up cooking at all. And my I had

a busy working mom who, you know, in I

grew up in the 70s and early 80s, so I

didn't have a ton of, you know, we we

didn't have like a cooking family. And I

always say it's never too late to start

trying because it is very like lowrisk

high reward. Like try a dish and if it

doesn't work, you just nobody knows. You

can just throw it away. Like you can

just And when it does work, you feel

like incredible. Repetition is the

father of learning.

>> Yes.

>> Lil, Wayne, said, that.

>> He, did.

>> He, did.

>> Yeah.

>> Amazing.

>> I, mean,, I, don't, know, if, he, was, quoting

someone else.

>> Maybe., Maybe., Maybe., Um,, we'll, see.

We'll look it up. What are you laughing

at these days? What are you watching

reading?

I know you're not addicted to your

phone. You have a flip phone. Um, but

what are you what do you do to laugh?

Where do you go

>> for, laugh?, What, did, I, watch, to, laugh

recently?

>> I, know, cuz, it's, kind, of, hard, when, comedy

is your job.

>> Yeah., You, don't, watch, as, much, comedy

sometimes.

>> I, don't, you, and, and, you, know, when, you

when you when you come from the stand-up

world, we all know that the way standups

laugh is they just watch each other and

go.

>> Yeah., Yeah., Yeah., It's, a, different

thing.

>> They, go,, "Yeah,, that, was, funny.

>> What, was, I, laughing, at, recently?"

>> I, know., Anything, that, you, do, when, you're

trying

>> I, just, my, You, know,, every, now, and, then

my wife will show me some silly internet

thing. She she showed me something and

it was like it was like a meme of like a

dolphin look. It was like looking happy

and it was like me letting the flight

attendant know I'm ready for a snack and

it was a dolphin just like like just

stupid stuff like that.

>> Let's, look, up, that, dolphin.

>> I I, think, it's, a, dolphin.

>> I, love, a, meme.

>> Um, yeah,, those, kind, of, things., Um, movies

and stuff. What? I'm trying to think. Um

>> smiling., I, love, some, of, those, old, movies

like The Apartment. Like just those

things just make me laugh so hard.

>> Um

>> you, don't, you, don't, go, on, Tik, Tok, or

anything like that, right?

>> No,, I, never, really, been, on, Tik, Tok.

>> I, mean,, I've, seen, videos., I'm, not, like, a

you know, I've seen some of the stuff.

Some of that stuff has made me laugh

but sometimes I see the stuff I don't

understand.

>> It's, not, him.

>> It's, not, him.

>> Oh,, yeah., Yeah., Yeah., Yeah.

>> Well,, it's

>> like, a, cookie., That's, pretty, close., But

the the the one my wife sent me, the the

dolphin had a better smile. I got to

find it. I got to send it to you later.

>> Um,, do, you, watch, anything?, Are, you

watching any shows right now that like

is is, you know, uh, I mean, it it's an

interesting time right now for comedy. I

mean, Good Fortune is a great example of

like there's not a lot of just straight

comedies out there in the world right

now.

>> To, be, like, an, original, idea, that's, a

comedy that's in theaters. Like to have

even one of those three now

>> is, wild., It, is.

>> And, I,, you, know,, Seth, and, I, were, always

talking about this of how we wanted the

movie to be theatrical and how, you

know, I remember going in New York when

I was in school going to see like Anchor

Man and, you know, 40 version, all these

movies and just being in like a back

theater and just dying and and I think

that's that's something I miss and I

hope I hope it comes back and I hope

more people get to make comedies and and

um that we get that back cuz it's so

much better to be in a group and laugh.

You know, if you go to a live show, you

know, if you go to a live show at like a

UCB or standup tour, there's so many

people there and you don't realize how

much the other people that experience is

part of it. Like if you come see me do

stand up at a theater, it's oh man

we're having a great time. But I just

came to your house and just started

doing standup and you're sitting by

yourself. That's

>> I'd, be, like,, how, did, you, get, into, my

house?

>> This, is, not, a, good, experience., This, is

But that to me is like the, you know

streaming a movie and being on your

phone at the same time is like not the

same thing. I know. It's back to the

phone. It's back to the phone. And the

the theater is still the only place

where you're not allowed to be on your

phone.

>> I, love, going, to, the, movie, theater., It's

so fun.

>> I'm, so, happy, that, you, came,

>> Z., I, I, I, got, to, tell, you,, I, I, you, know,

when whenever uh I I was like, "Okay, we

got to do this press tour for the

movie." I was like "Oh, well, I know

one thing I'll be looking forward to

very much." And that was this and spend

time with you.

>> Same.

>> Um, it's, it's, it's, always, a, pleasure, when

we get to see each other. And uh thank

you for having me.

>> Turkey, sandwich., I'm, so, happy, that, you

came.

>> Hold, on, one, second.

Hey, Watson. Yeah. Yeah. I'm just

finishing up the pod. Um, okay. I'll see

you there.

>> What?

>> How, do, they, know, what?

>> No,, I, haven't, seen, Archie, and, Abel, in, a

long time. What?

>> I, don't, know., I, think, I, think, they're, in

their, 20s., All right., Take, care,, Watson.

Bye.

>> Thank, you,, Aziz., Sorry,, for, coming, by, um

and hanging. It was so great to see you

and to go down memory lane and um talk

about all the good things ahead. And now

it is time for our Polar Plunge. And

today's Polar Plunge is presented by BMW

Certified. In a world full of

uncertainty, BMW certified pre-owned

vehicles are the real deal. They come

with a BMW certified warranty, genuine

BMW parts, and an additional 3 years of

247 roadside assistance. Visit

bmwusa.com/certified-preowned

to learn more. So, for this Polar

Plunge, I just want to stick up for my

phone a little bit. I feel like we've

we've been pretty hard on the phone uh

in this episode, and we've talked about

how bad it is for us. And look, I agree

but my best friend gives me a lot of

things. It helps me track my other

friends and send them creepy texts like

"Uh, I see that you're at the airport.

Have a good flight." My phone lets me

buy things by just going beep just sweep

swiping it across a thing and you don't

even, know., You, don't even, have, to, take

out your credit card. My phone um it

just tells me about all the awful news

that's happening minute by minute all

over the world. And if I missed it, it

pops up to remind me. So just take it

easy on my phone, okay? It's my best

friend and um it's never let me down. Uh

but but seriously, help help me help me

get away from it. Uh please help. So

today's Polar Plunge was presented by

BMW Certified. As a BMW certified owner

you receive the performance you expect

plus the warranty and assistance you

deserve. Learn more at

bmwusa.com/certified-preowned.

Thank you, Aziz. Thank you for everyone

listening to GoodHang, and we'll see you

again. Bye.

>> You've, been, listening, to, Good, Hang., The

executive producers for this show are

Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman, and

me, Amy Polar. The show is produced by

The Ringer and Paperkite. For The

Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Cat

Spalain, Kaia McMullen, and Aia Xenerys.

For Paperkite, production by Sam Green

Joel Levelvel, and Jenna Weiss Berman.

Original music by Amy Miles.

really good. Hey