Aziz Ansari is dropping a surprise standup special with Spike Jonze on Netflix. Though the special's immediacy is surprising, Ansari has spent months returning to performing and touring standup, after a 2018 hiatus instigated by accusations of sexual misconduct.
Ansari was accused of inappropriate behavior during a date in a widely contested exposé on babe.net in January 2018 (the site has since folded after years of mismanagement). He issued a public statement and then disappeared almost completely from the spotlight for several months. By fall, Ansari was workshopping new material at New York's Comedy Cellar. By winter, he was discussing the babe.net piece and the date that led to it in his standup (he also joined Paleyfest's Parks and Recreation reunion).
On the heels of many disturbing #MeToo allegations, Ansari's case was the most divisive, with responses ranging from "it was one bad date" to full cancellation of him and his work. It led to one of Saturday Night Live's most evergreen sketches to date and to opening up a much-needed dialogue about how consent is given and interpreted.
Ansari's previous standup has tackled sexism and gender roles. With his unique position and irreverent voice, the new special presents and undeniable opportunity to address everything he's experienced.
Aziz Ansari: Right Now hits Netflix July 9.
Topics Netflix Celebrities
