This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

#617 - Aziz Ansari

October 15, 2025

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  • Aziz Ansari's new movie, "Good Fortune," faced significant production delays due to the writer's strike and Keanu Reeves breaking his kneecap during filming. 
  • Theo Von and Aziz Ansari bonded over their shared, albeit rare, Southern accents and the unique experience of being comedians in the industry. 
  • Aziz Ansari discussed the complexity and external factors outside of an artist's control when making a feature film compared to the direct control of stand-up comedy. 
  • Aziz Ansari shared deeply personal stories about growing up as one of the few Indian people in South Carolina, highlighting both negative experiences and profound kindness from the local community, including two women referred to as 'Grandma' and 'Miss Beulah'. 
  • The conversation touched on the profound grief of losing a sister, Nafis, to a rare liver disease (Hurler syndrome), and the unexpected comfort of learning that her caretaker, Nana, was buried next to her. 
  • Aziz Ansari discussed the early, formative experiences in his comedy career, particularly being validated by gatekeepers like Lucian at The Comic Strip, and the importance of seeing original comedies like his new film, 'Good Fortune,' in packed theaters. 
  • Aziz Ansari's early stand-up career involved a significant, early endorsement from a figure named Manny at the Comedy Cellar, who prematurely told him he was "ready for the big room" after only a few performances. 
  • Estee, who runs the Comedy Cellar, eventually told a young Aziz Ansari he was not ready to perform there, highlighting the tough standards of the venue. 
  • The positive impact of early encouragement is emphasized, as Aziz reflects on how a single encouraging word from Manny, and later help from Neil Brennan and Amy Schumer, significantly affected his journey, underscoring the importance of mentorship for newcomers. 

Segments

Shopify and Merch Updates
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Theo Von’s online store is restocking tour merchandise and new items like ‘bubby tees’ and ‘camo gang’ apparel.
  • Summary: Shopify is promoted as an easy platform for starting online stores, utilizing AI tools for descriptions and photography. Theo Von announced that remaining tour merchandise is now available online. New items, including restocked ‘bubby tees’ and hoodies, are also available at Theovonstore.com.
Introducing Aziz Ansari
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(00:01:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari is joining Theo Von to discuss writing, directing his first film, ‘Good Fortune,’ and other topics.
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari is introduced as a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and filmmaker. His directorial debut film, ‘Good Fortune,’ is set for release on October 17th. This marks the first time Theo Von and Aziz Ansari are meeting properly.
Beverage Preferences and Backgrounds
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(00:01:59)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari’s beverage of choice is espresso and water, though he occasionally drinks martinis, and he was born in South Carolina to Indian parents.
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari primarily drinks espresso and water, occasionally opting for a martini. He confirmed his family is Indian, though he was born in South Carolina. Theo Von noted the rarity of meeting other people with Southern accents in their professional circles.
Southern Accents and Comedy History
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(00:03:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari lost his South Carolina accent, while Theo Von maintained his Louisiana accent, prompting a discussion on the prevalence of Southern accents in comedy.
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari mentioned losing his accent, which sometimes returns when speaking to other Southerners like his airport driver. They referenced comedians like Jeff Foxworthy as examples of earlier Southern-accented comics. Aziz recalled hearing about Jeff Foxworthy’s show as the first live comedy experience he knew of as a child in Bennettsville, SC.
Cold Plunge and Chauffeur Story
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(00:04:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari participated in Theo Von’s cold plunge ritual despite being tired and mentioned a bizarre incident involving a University of South Carolina chauffeur being scalded with boiling fettuccine.
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari endured the cold plunge to start his day, noting it rattles him. He then recounted meeting a chauffeur in Columbia, SC, whose girlfriend had thrown boiling fettuccine on him. The severity of the injury, including neck burns, was emphasized.
Podcast Listening and Film Themes
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(00:06:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari listened to Theo Von’s episodes with Bernie Sanders and Arnold Schwarzenegger, finding the Sanders conversation relevant to the themes of financial hardship in ‘Good Fortune.’
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari listened to the podcast episodes featuring Bernie Sanders and Arnold Schwarzenegger before his appearance. The conversation with Sanders about medical bankruptcy resonated with the themes of his film, where the main character faces job loss and homelessness. He views Arnold Schwarzenegger as a sharp, successful figure whose career success is not accidental.
Miniature Animals Fascination
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(00:07:47)
  • Key Takeaway: The conversation pivoted to a shared interest in miniature animals, specifically miniature donkeys and the world’s smallest horse, Tom Thumb.
  • Summary: Theo Von mentioned Arnold Schwarzenegger having mini donkeys at his office, leading to a discussion about miniature animals. Aziz Ansari shared meeting a miniature donkey named Roger (10-4) and the world’s smallest horse, Tom Thumb, in Alameda, California. They used Perplexity AI to confirm that horses and donkeys belong to the Equine group.
Nashville Life and Comedy Venues
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(00:08:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari has lived in Nashville for nearly four years, moving from LA during the pandemic, and praised the Ryman Auditorium as one of the best places he has performed.
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari moved to Nashville almost four years ago, leaving LA due to perceived pandemic paranoia. He noted Nashville feels like a small city where news travels fast. He recounted a memorable show at Zanies where the power went out, forcing him to perform by candlelight.
Stand-up vs. Filmmaking Contrast
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(00:26:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Stand-up comedy offers immediate gratification and high control, whereas filmmaking is a complex, expensive endeavor fraught with external disasters and delayed payoff.
  • Summary: Stand-up is described as running a track where the comedian has immediate control and instant feedback (laughter). Filmmaking is likened to climbing a mountain, requiring funding, dealing with external disasters like strikes or injuries, and seeing jokes realized years later. The directness of stand-up is considered a ‘pure and beautiful’ art form.
The Bill Murray Film Setback
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(00:31:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari’s film adaptation of Atul Gawande’s ‘Being Mortal,’ intended to star Bill Murray and Seth Rogen, was shut down after three weeks of shooting due to an inappropriate incident involving Murray.
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari wrote a script based on the non-fiction book ‘Being Mortal,’ which deals with end-of-life issues, specifically writing the lead role for Bill Murray. The production, which also included Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer, was halted after Bill Murray allegedly kissed a crew member while wearing a COVID mask against her wishes. Ansari expressed a desire to finish the poignant, darkly funny project.
Wife’s Danish Background and Tastes
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(00:38:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari’s Danish wife, a PhD in physics, loves Slipknot and was crowned ‘Little Miss Denmark’ twice before the contest was discontinued.
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari revealed his wife loves the band Slipknot, contrasting with her academic background. He shared that she was so dominant in the ‘Little Miss Denmark’ pageant as a child that the contest was stopped after she won two consecutive years. Their term of affection is ‘Essel,’ the Danish word for donkey.
Wife’s Pageant History
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(00:49:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari’s wife was a two-time winner of the Little Miss Denmark pageant before the contest was discontinued.
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari’s wife won the Little Miss Denmark competition two years in a row when she was young. The contest was stopped, possibly because she kept winning, or due to a broader reconsideration of children’s pageants. Following this, she rebelled against the pageant life by getting into the band Slipknot.
Growing Up in South Carolina
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(00:53:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari’s parents moved to Bennettsville, South Carolina, where his mother experienced intense isolation upon arrival, relying on local white women for community support.
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari detailed his experience growing up as one of the few Indian people in South Carolina during the 1980s, noting that some locals confused him with Black people due to lack of exposure. His mother, having never left India, cried constantly upon arriving in Bennettsville until local women befriended her and helped care for the children. Two key figures, Nana and Miss Beulah, provided crucial support and Southern cooking to the family.
Sister’s Passing and Community Love
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(00:59:43)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari’s sister, Nafis, passed away at a young age from Hurler syndrome, and the Muslim family received unexpected kindness and acceptance from the predominantly Christian community at her burial.
  • Summary: Nafis, Aziz Ansari’s sister, died around age six or eight from Hurler syndrome, a rare liver disease, and the family often avoided discussing it to prevent making others uncomfortable. The community, including a priest, showed immense kindness during the burial in Bennettsville, allowing the family to perform their cultural rites. Ansari was deeply moved to learn that Nana, the woman who cared for him, was buried right next to his sister.
Early Comedy Career Validation
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(01:10:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Lucian Hold, the gatekeeper at The Comic Strip, was the first person to genuinely believe in Aziz Ansari’s potential as a comedian, passing him at age 18.
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari recounted getting his first chance to perform at The Comic Strip in New York, which held open auditions. Lucian Hold, the club’s gatekeeper, honestly told Ansari he might not have a career like Adam Sandler or Sarah Silverman but could start working late-night spots. Lucian, who later passed Chris Rock, was the first person to validate Ansari’s ability to be paid to tell jokes.
The Grind of Early LA Life
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(01:25:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari and a friend survived their early years in Los Angeles by sleeping in a McDonald’s ball pit to find more space than sleeping in a car.
  • Summary: Aziz Ansari praised the realism in his film ‘Good Fortune’ regarding the struggles of starting out in LA, such as sleeping in cars and losing vehicles over parking tickets. He shared a personal anecdote about sleeping in a McDonald’s ball pit for more room, where they once found another person asleep in the tube slide. This shared experience highlights the intense, often humbling, grind comedians endure before success.
Burnout and Prolific Work Ethic
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(01:31:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari recognizes that his drive to constantly create movies and take on projects stems from an internal vision, despite realizing recently that he may be overworking and heading toward burnout.
  • Summary: Theo Von questioned Aziz Ansari about his prolific output, noting that Ansari has won Emmys and created TV shows, movies, and books. Ansari admitted that making movies is not financially lucrative compared to touring, but he pursues them because he has a vision he is racing to execute, though he is now realizing he must slow down due to burnout and the stress of travel.
Aziz’s First Comedy Sets
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(01:40:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz Ansari’s first stand-up performance was at age 18 during the summer of his freshman year in college at the Comedy Cellar’s new talent night.
  • Summary: His initial material was poor, but his comfort with public speaking allowed him to perform well enough to return. After a few open mics, he received a reality check about the difficulty of stand-up comedy. His third time performing at the Comedy Cellar went exceptionally well.
Manny’s Early Endorsement
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(01:41:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Manny, after seeing Aziz perform well, immediately told the young comedian he was “ready for the big room” at the Comedy Cellar, despite Aziz having only done stand-up three times.
  • Summary: Aziz felt he was too green for the main room, which hosted established comics like Tal Geraldo and Jim Norton. He was subsequently put on late-night sets, which he felt he shouldn’t have been doing so early in his career. Estee, who runs the club, later confirmed he was not ready at that time.
Dream of Performing at Cellar
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(01:42:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Aziz considers the ability to drop into the Comedy Cellar, perform material, and have the crowd react positively as the coolest achievement surpassing major venues like Madison Square Garden.
  • Summary: His biggest dream is to be 90 years old, drop into the Comedy Cellar, and still be able to hold his own, even if only a few people recognize him. Estee later mentioned that Manny would be smiling seeing his success now. Aziz also noted that Neil Brennan and Amy Schumer helped him get past initial hurdles at the venue.
Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude
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(01:44:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Theo expressed gratitude for Aziz’s unique life experiences, including living in London, and praised his creative ability as a gift.
  • Summary: The conversation concluded with mutual appreciation for the discussion, which covered both light and heavy topics. Theo wished Aziz luck with his film, ‘Good Fortune,’ noting its release date was imminent (October 17th).