Aziz Ansari Gets the Laughs

Who knew thread counts in sheets could be so funny? Aziz Ansari took it there, and everywhere else with his wide-ranging comedy special.

Ansari’s one-hour-special “Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening,” airing Jan. 17 on Comedy Central, takes us on a journey through his life observations. The “Parks and Recreation” comedian’s beginning is slow—he appears to be getting over stage jitters, the jokes too redundant and off pace. As the audience and Ansari start to get comfortable with each other, the comedian engages us in some intimate talk about life. His jokes are centered on pop culture phenomenon and are relatable—the best centered on his experiences on Facebook with his cousin. The jokes do falter at times, but his facial expressions—wide eyed and extended “Wow’s” provide the jokes with extra cushioning. Other times, you are the one left wide-eyed and bewildered. The end of his routine, another high point, is hilarious, as he paints portraits of his celebrity encounters with Jay-Z, Kanye West and R. Kelly. The stories are catching, and there is no way to avoid the infectious laughter generated by the comedian and sustained by the audience.

Once Ansari gets comfortable on stage, the rhythm of the jokes is consistent and you know when the punch line is coming. His timing is great and executed with precision. It’s a lot like the banana and orange “knock, knock” joke—just when you’re ready to hear him say banana, he comes with a witty orange when you answer the door.