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Aziz Ansari has some of the sharpest standup out there right now. Unlike many other comics, the Parks and Recreation star doesn't just stop at oddball observations, but puts in the necessary brain sweat to transform them into nuggets of gut-busting gold. At the moment, he's at work on a book about relationships in the time of Twitter and Instagram—for proof of both his thoughtfulness and comic skill, listen to him explain to Conan O'Brien how texting has ruined dating.
His new tour, which hits Portland this week, is titled Modern Romance. We asked Ansari a few questions via email.
WW: You have a great bit on dick pics. How have they changed the face of modern romance?
Aziz Ansari: Dick pics are just another strange
development that never existed before. I canât even think of an
analogous equivalent for past generations. There hasnât been any record
of men in ancient cultures sketching pictures of their penis or carving
dick pics into stone. Or maybe there is? Iâll have to look into it.
What is your idea of a perfect date?
Iâm really a homebody these days. My perfect date would
start with me and the lovely lady cooking a meal together at my house.
Iâd make us some nice cocktails, and after dinner weâd just chill out
and watch Jurassic Park and/or Mrs. Doubtfire on Blu-ray.
What are your thoughts on Tinder?
This is a good story I heard about Tinder in one of our
focus groups with a guy who lived in a small town. He turned on Tinder.
It showed the first girl. He swiped no. The second girl came up. He
swiped no again. Then it said, thatâs all the girls in his area. He
freaked out and thought, âOh shit! Can I go back?!â So many parts of
that story sum up modern romance to me.
Do you use Snapchat?
No, but I have seen it and kind of understand it. I might be too old for it. Besides penis photos, which I donât send, I have no clue why I would want to send anyone a photo that disappears after a few seconds. That Flappy Bird ripoff that uses Drake and Drake noises, on the other handâthat I totally get!
SEE IT: Aziz Ansari is at the Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., 800-745-3000. 7 pm Wednesday and Friday, March 26 and 28. $46.50.
WWeek 2015