They Call Us Bruce 203: They Call Us Hari Kondabolu

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome comedian Hari Kondabolu, whose latest standup special Vacation Baby is available on YouTube. He talks about how becoming a parent -- during the pandemic -- informed his act, why Father's Day should be observed on a leap year, making peace with Hank Azaria in the aftermath of his documentary The Problem with Apu, and why he's got no love for San Diego. Plus: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of being a dad. Hint: it involves poop.

The voice of Apu responds to 'The Problem with Apu'

"We're just really thinking about it. It's a lot to digest."



Comedian Hari Kondabolu's truTV documentary The Problem with Apu set out to explore the impact of casual racism in The Simpsons in the form a racist, broadly offensive stereotype that has plagued South Asians for decades: Apu, the show's Indian convenience store owner.

The film got a lot of people talking, which was great, though I'm guessing that most of Hari's fans were aware of said problem with Apu. If you watched The Problem with Apu and it was all totally mind-blowing news to you, congratulations; you were part of the film's target audience.

But here's the big question: have the folks at The Simpsons seen The Problem with Apu? And how about Hank Azaria, the white actor who provides the super-stereotypical voice Apu? (Or, as Hari puts it, "a white guy doing an impression of a white guy making fun of my father.") One of plot points of the documentary concerns Hari's attempts to interview Azaria and talk about the character on camera. It doesn't happen.

However, it seems that Azaria has indeed seen the film. Speaking to a reporter from TMZ, who asked for this thoughts on the documentary, Azaria said that Kondabolu "made some really interesting points" and "gave us a lot at The Simpsons to think about, and we are really thinking about it."

Hari Kondabolu explores 'The Problem With Apu'

Comedian's documentary confronts the controversial 'Simpsons' character.



Hari Kondabolu has strong feelings about Apu. That's Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the "Indian" cartoon character on the perennial animated series The Simpsons. The comedian has such strong feelings about Apu -- his 28-year "nemesis" -- he made a feature length documentary about the character, The Problem With Apu.

The Simpsons' Indian convenience store owner has been regularly criticized over the years as a racist, broadly offensive stereotype, and yet Apu, voiced by Hank Azaria, is arguably the most recognizable Indian character on American television -- much to the dismay and torment of South Asian folks everywhere.

Apu, as Hari puts it, sounds like "a white guy doing an impression of a white guy making fun of my father."

In The Problem With Apu, Hari sets out to explore the impact of casual racism in The Simpsons and the negative effect that the Apu caricature has had on the Indian American community. And if you ask around, you'll find that a lot of brown folks also have some pretty strong feelings about Apu.

Here's the trailer, in which Hari interviews the likes of Kal Penn, Hasan Minhaj, Sheetal Sheth, Aparna Nancherla, Samrat Chakrabarti, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Aasif Mandvi, Maulik Pancholy, Sakina Jaffrey and more.

Giveaway: Win a 2016 Haikus With Hotties Calendar

A perfect holiday gift for those who need more Asian American male hotties in their lives.



Fans of hot Asian men! This one's for you. A few months ago, I posted about a Very Important Kickstarter campaign: the 2016 Haikus With Hotties Calendar project based on Audrey Magazine's non-award-winning poetry series "Haikus With Hotties," in which they asked hot Asian American men to exchange poetry with them.

Here's the Kickstarter video with Ada Tseng, Professor of Hotness, who explained the important need for this calendar:

Hari Kondabolu: Jokes and Conversations

With Sabrina Jalees, Aparna Nancherla and Ali Wong - Tuesday, February 17 at NYU Kimmel Center



This is going to be awesome. If you're in New York, don't miss the chance to hang out with comedian Hari Kondabolu, the A/P/A Institute at NYU Artist-in-Residence, sitting down to chat with friends and fellow comedians Sabrina Jalees, Aparna Nancherla and Ali Wong. It's happening Tuesday, February 17 at the NYU Kimmel Center. Like I said: awesome.

Here are some more details about the event:

New York Times video series highlights funny artists of color

'Off-Color' features Hari Kondabolu, Kristina Wong, Issa Rae and Lalo Alcaraz.



The New York Times has launched a really cool four-part video series called Off-Color which highlights artists of color who use humor to make smart social statements about the sometimes subtle, sometimes obvious ways that race plays out in America today. The series features Hari Kondabolu, Kristina Wong, Issa Rae and Lalo Alcaraz. (I had the honor of being interviewed for Kristina's video.)

Check them out:

Hari Kondabolu's Great Redskins Compromise

"The Redskins' tradition is only 81 years old. That's like one grandparent. One racist grandparent."



As a general rule, whenever Hari Kondabolu turns to the camera and says, "Hello, I'm comedian Hari Kondabolu..." you should definitely sit up and listen, because he's about to drop some knowledge. In this awesome Upworthy video, Hari discusses the unfortunate name of the Washington Football Team, and offers his solution for a compromise. Literal red skin. Take a look:

Hari Kondabolu is the A/P/A Institute at NYU Artist-in-Residence

Kickoff event planned for October 15



This is some pretty awesome news. The Asian/Pacific/American Institute at New York University recently announced comedian Hari Kondabolu as its 2014-15 Artist-in-Residence. Hari, who is based in Brooklyn, has had one hell of a year, between appearances on NPR's Fresh Air, Conan, Late Show with David Letterman, the release of his debut album Waiting for 2042, and now hooking up with NYU.

But what does it actually mean? Each year, New York University hosts an artist to hold residency with its Asian/Pacific/American Institute. Artists-in-Residence are invited to bring their notoriety, artistic work, and history of involvement with the APA community to NYU. The Artist-in-Residence uses his or her time at A/P/A to create important new work, artistic retrospectives, forums, or conferences.

Hari is A/P/A Institute's first Comedian-in-Residence. Here's his statement:

Comedian Hari Kondabolu performs on 'Conan'

Droppin' knowledge about colonialism, chess and talking snakes



In case you missed it, our old comedian pal Hari Kondabolu made a return visit as a guest on Conan last night, dropping a kickass set about colonialism. Yes, that's right. Colonialism. And Hari Kondabolu is, for my money, the best anti-colonialist comedian working today. Listen up as Hari shares why you should be able to back up your opinions with logic and evidence, rather than rhyming cliches:

Hari Kondabolu performs on 'Late Show with David Letterman'

"Don't freak out, white people."



Last night, I tuned in and watch the Late Show with David Letterman for the first time in years. It had seriously been a while. The compelling reason? To see one of my favorite dudes, standup comedian Hari Kondabolu make his Late Show debut. And like I've never seen him before -- all spiffed up in a suit and tie. He offers hilariously sharp observations on race in America... and looks good while doing it! Check it out:

Hari Kondabolu's 'Waiting For 2042'

Officially boasting the greatest album cover ever



YESSSSSS. One of my favorite comedians Hari Kondabolu has released his debut comedy album Waiting for 2042, out now from Kill Rock Stars. Officially boasting the greatest album cover art ever, the title refers to the year 2042, when the U.S. Census Bureau projects that white people will become the minority in this country.

I've been a fan of his comedy for a while, and this Hari doing what he does best, dropping comedy truth bombs about race, politics and pop culture -- you know, all the stuff I love. Here's a preview of a couple of his bits. You can also get a good sense of his set from the tracklist:

Pre-order Hari Kondabolu's comedy album 'Waiting for 2042'

Debut album out March 11 from Kill Rock Stars



Rejoice! One of our favorite comedians Hari Kondabolu has announced the release of his debut comedy album Waiting For 2042, due out March 11. And officially boasting the greatest album cover ever.

Recorded live last year at The New Parish in Oakland, Hari's hilarious, challenging material features pointed musings about white Jesus, eating the rich, Matthew McConaughey, socially conscious time travel and how 90s alternative rock band Weezer broke his heart.

The album title refers to the year 2042, when the U.S. Census Bureau projects that white people will become the minority in this country, sort of. If you are a white person who is concerned by this projection, Hari does not care, as you can see in this clip:

Hari Kondabolu teams up with Sikh Captain America

Is New York ready for a Captain America who rocks a turban?



Y'all know I love me some Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Check out this amazing segment where Hari Kondabolu takes to the streets of New York City with Sikh Captain America. Yup, Vishavjit Singh, the Sikh New Yorker who dressed up like Marvel Comics' most patriotic superhero -- plus a blue turban -- for a day.

Are the people ready for a Captain America who rocks a turban? Let's find out:

Hari Kondabolu wants TSA reparations

Brown Man's Payback



The Transportation Security Administration recently unveiled a program allowing air passengers to be pre-screened, avoiding the usual airport security inconveniences -- for a small fee. Okay, great. The TSA is loosening up. But that's not good enough for Totally Biased correspondent Hari Kondabolu. In this edition of The KondaBulletin, Hari outlines what he'd like to see: TSA Reparations

Hari Kondabolu's KondaBulletin: Spelling Bee Edition

As you know, last week, Arvind Mahankali became the latest in a long line of Indian Americans kids to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. That's six in a row! Which is awesome. But of course, this inspired the haters to respond on Twitter, as usual.

On this week's Totally Biased, comedian/writer Hari Kondabolu shows some love for the spelling bee -- aka "The Indian Super Bowl" -- and had choice some words for Arvind's detractors: Hari Kondabolu's KondaBulletin: Spelling Bee Edition.

Hari Kondabolu's Columbus Day Wish

"Christopher Columbus was a demon."



Apologies. Columbus Day has come and gone, and I didn't have the chance to observe the occasion with this sweet clip from Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Here's our friend comedian/writer Hari Kondabolu dropping some knowledge on why Christopher Columbus is still the bane of Indians everywhere, and why Italians should embrace a new hero:

angry reader of the week: hari kondabolu

My people, it's time. Time to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is comedian/writer Hari Kondabolu.