Aziz Ansari, "Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening"

Aziz Ansari
“Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening”
(Comedy Central)

(*****/5)

When I was growing up in the late 80s and early 90s, it was pretty much the time of the stand-up comedy explosion, an idea that was touched upon by Jon Favreau in “Swingers” (Miramax, 1996) when he says, “I thought they were giving comics sitcoms at the airport.” Since then, it’s pretty much waned to some degree and dudes like Mario Joyner and Bill Bellamy have been (unfortunately) relegated to bit parts in movies and TV. That being said, when I listen to a stand-up comic, I have high expectations – not because I feel like my tastes are beyond anybody else’s, but just because I’m so goddamn fickle. Cosby, Kinison, (early) Eddie Murphy – these guys are tough to follow up and in the days of guys like Dane Cook or Jeff Dunham, it seems like the only comics who get a chance are people who play to the lowest common denominator (Leno, say what?).

Enter Aziz Ansari – a dude who’s pretty much the indie rock answer to Chris Rock. He’s one of the few newer comics out there who has a unique sense of narrative but is able to work in a punchline (something that Mike Birbiglia started doing, but which has since morphed into something along the lines of just being a really great public speaker, not unlike David Sedaris).

If you’ve seen him on “Parks & Rec,” “Human Giant” or the infamous Stereogum indie record store video, you know that Ansari can out improv a motherfucker, but on his debut live CD and DVD “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening,” he’s going for self, clocking in a very solid performance.

To be honest, there’s nothing groundbreaking here – he doesn’t read inappropriate letters or have a racist puppet – but his jokes are quick-witted and topical enough for you to skip back to make sure you heard him correctly.

My favorite bit from the performance is recounting a story of bugging his cousin, Harris, on Facebook. In fact, any explanation would do it injustice, so you’re going to just have to trust me that it’s some funny shit.

There’s a place in my book for comics like Eugene Mirman and David Cross who are able to work quirk to their advantage, but Ansari is the rare funny guy who can appeal to everyone without restraint or dumbing down his material.



--- Ryan Pangilinan