New Delhi, July 9: From Hasan Minhaj and Aziz Ansari to Kal Penn and Russell Peters, many Indian-origin comics pick up their immigration tales as well as “desi” stories for their stand-up acts in the US. And Cadian comedian and actor Mark McKinney is happy to see some strings of Indian comedy being weaved into the gigs in the US, saying the intermingling of the comedic notes bridges the gap between cultures.
He also points out that Americans are taking in all the information about the country as they are “really curious to know what happens in India not just culturally, but even from other perspectives”. McKinney is also amazed by the popularity of Prime Minister rendra Modi in the US.
McKinney, who is currently seen in the TV show “Superstore”, which airs in India on Comedy Central, went on to appreciate the growing trend, saying: “When you start getting cultures as different as India and United States talking to each other through comedy... That is a kind of revolution.” How do you define Indian comedy in the West?
“Then there is a new comedian who is coming up in the States. His half based in, I think, Mumbai or Delhi, and then he combines it with American stand-up. That is so interesting.
“Americans are really curious to know what happens in India not just culturally but even from all other perspectives, like knowing who Modi is. It is fantastic being aware of figures like that.”
From political comedy to dark satire, McKinney is happy that there is place for different types of comedy in the West. “The best way to describe it is that you have every kind of comedy” he said. (IANS)