Wednesday, November 2, 2011

In support of my two favorite Indian-Americans in Hollywood

Hilarious story, as I was typing the title of this post I accidentally first typed "Bollywood" instead of "Hollywood". Whoops, way to stereotype/typecast/basically defeat the entire purpose of this post.

Moving on...

Two of my favorite people in the entire entertainment biz - who just so happen to both be Indian-American, but also overall completely badass, awesome and hilarious - have recently been all over the media. So in their honor, I'm writing today's post to encourage people to support their latest endeavors!


First - Mindy Kaling - ahhh, Mindy. My soul sister. My dream bff. My fellow Dartmouth alum. My Tamil long lost cousin. I mean really, anyone who knows me even remotely well knows that I've loved Mindy for no less than 5 years. Ever since I saw her first appearance on The Office in Season 1 Episode 2's "Diversity Day", ever since I discovered her old/original/now defunct blog "Things I've Bought That I've Loved," and ever since I blitzed her (a.k.a. "emailed", for you non-Dartmouth folk) at her alum account hoping that she'd respond to me (nope - I got an automated response saying she no longer checks that account, go figure).

Anyway, Mindy's first book was released yesterday, and after pre-ordering it months ago, I received an email from amazon.com yesterday morning saying that my book is being shipped to me! "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" looks to be an instant classic, sure to join the ranks of other comedic writers' books such as Tina Fey's "Bossypants" and Chelsea Handler's "Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea." *

If her book isn't enough for you, read her blog, check out her latest interviews, follow her on twitter, and really you guys, just type her name into google because there has been endless coverage of her lately (all wildly entertaining)!

Second - Kal Penn - Where to begin with Kal Penn. The renaissance man. Actor, comedian, Associate Director at the White House, visiting lecturer at UPenn, the man has done it all. Kal got his big break in the first Harold and Kumar film (although some may argue Van Wilder), and the third installation of this bud-fueled series comes out on Friday.

In full disclosure, I haven't actually seen the second Harold & Kumar film, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, but I plan to remedy that ASAP so that I can see the third one in sequence. What this blogger has seen, however, is the first Harold & Kumar more times than any other movie in existence. pride? or shame? (don't answer that, please)

Anyway, Kal Penn and his co-star John Cho (who I have loved since the days of geocities.com/American Pie) have been on a press-binge around the country promoting their new movie. Most recently appearing on late-night shows like Jimmy Fallon and Jay Leno, Kal has also been soaking in the success of his latest guest-stint on CBS' How I Met Your Mother. Portraying Robin's therapist-now-boyfriend, Kal has found a comfortable niche within the dysfunctional HIMYM family.

If all that air-time isn't enough to satisfy your Kal Penn cravings, follow him here on twitter, where he's actually been posting a lot recently.

Moral of the story? Buy Mindy's book, go see Kal's movie, and revel in the fact that these two fantastic Indian-Americans have paved the way for my eventual Hollywood dominance (ha. ha.)

*Note: I did not choose these writers solely because they're women and so is Mindy, but because they are the first comedian writers' books I could think of. No sexism here, thankyouverymuch.

1 comment:

Julie said...

Comedy Central has been playing Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay endlessly!