The Business
The Daily Show's Aasif Mandvi on 'Halal in the Family'
When he switched from theater to film and television, Aasif Mandvi found himself relegated to roles as cab drivers and deli owners. Now The Daily Show correspondent created a new web sitcom, Halal in the Family, in an effort to tackle anti-Muslim bias.
By Kim Masters • • 29m ListenAfter finding a dearth of substantive characters available to him in Hollywood, Aasif Mandvi figured out he'd have to create the roles himself. He tells Kim Masters how a one-man play led to opportunities on The Daily Show and beyond. Now, Mandvi has created and stars in the new Funny or Die web series Halal in the Family, which he describes as a Muslim-American Cosby Show. He shares why he thinks it's beyond time for a Muslim-American sitcom and weighs in on the Trevor Noah controversy.
Photo: Aasif Mandvi in his new Funny or Die web series Halal in the Family
In this episode
2 storiesHollywood News Banter
Matt Belloni, executive editor of the Hollywood Reporter joins Kim Masters to discuss top entertainment news stories of the week.
Read the story7 min'Halal in the Family'
In a landmark year for diversity on television, there's still not a sitcom that portrays a Muslim-American family. Aasif Mandvi would like to change that, and believes his new Funny or Die web series, Halal in the Family , is a step in the right direction.
Read the story20 min
