STAND-UP TUESDAYS: Aziz Ansari

March 27th, 2012

Angie Frissore

Stand-Up Tuesdays is a weekly comedy spotlight written by the wonderfully talented Angie Frissore. Covering both known and unknown comics, Stand-up Tuesdays is your new source for all things funny.

This week, Angie puts a spotlight on Aziz Ansari. If you or your comedy troupe would like to be featured on Stand-Up Tuesdays, please email utgjames@gmail.com.

There was no build-up – no press release or appearance on late-night talk shows to promote it; there was merely a tweet from Aziz Ansari announcing the release of his brand-new, digital download comedy special, Dangerously Delicious. Filmed during his tour last year at the Warner Theater in Washington D.C., Dangerously Delicious follows the trend set by Louis C.K., who was the first in a growing line of comics to release a special through the internet only – and for only $5. In a recent interview with The Huffington Post, Ansari reflected on the special’s release and how it differed from others.

“The difference between what I did and what Louis did is that, as soon as it was announced, it was available. There was no buildup, I haven’t even been on talk shows yet, so I think it’s going to be a slower rise. But what I’m really happy about is that everyone seems really glad that I released it this way.”

To say that we’re glad is definitely putting it mildly. Aside from being a full hour of some of the Parks and Recreation alum’s best work, the special includes a brilliantly-produced opening credit sequence that was influenced by Ansari’s obsession with North by Northwest as well as a slew of bonus features that come with the download (there’s even a template you can use to make your own DVD cover).

Ansari is an incredibly likable guy – a trait that is solidified within the first five minutes of Dangerously Delicious, when Ansari states that, despite the house rules, he knows people are going to take pictures anyway, so he invites them all to spend a minute snapping away as he treats them to various poses and mock-joke-telling. He even calls on an audience member to stand and pose as if he’s yelling at Ansari, much to the delight of the crowd.

In Dangerously Delicious, Ansari talks about the trials and tribulations of being a single guy trying to meet women, and recounts an instance where an audience member suggests that he simply tell women he’s on television.

“Yeah, there’s no way I’ll sound like a jerk if I do that,” Ansari states. “’Excuse me, miss? I’m on T.V.(clears throat)… I said, I’m on T.V.! I don’t know what’s going on here, but this is the part where you start sucking my dick.’”

I’m not sure why I’ve not been a much more active fan of Ansari – perhaps it’s the old woman in me who stays away from network television shows; perhaps I’m simply lazy. But I’ve no excuse anymore, as Dangerously Delicious has catapulted Ansari to a cushy spot in my personal top five favorite comedians. Despite the many comedic and screen successes Ansari enjoys, he seems to maintain a low-key, down-to-earth attitude that lends itself perfectly to his comedy. When Aziz tells a story, it’s believable and genuine – no matter how ridiculous it may be.

Download Dangerously Delicious today for only $5 and receive five downloads along with a slew of awesome bonus materials. Also, be sure to visit Ansari’s site for details on his latest challenge – which is for a fan to include Ansari’s latest picture with his parents on a DVD cover – and also check out the tour section for dates and info on Ansari’s upcoming Buried Alive tour coming to a city near you.