Aziz Ansari is bringing his new stand-up show to Australia in June, marking the comedian’s first local dates since 2012 – and his first with material that directly addresses the 2018 accusation of sexual misconduct levelled against him.
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The Master Of None creator and Parks And Recreation favourite will perform his Road To Nowhere show to Sydney and Melbourne, giving audiences what reviewers have called a sharp view of pop morality from a man whose alleged misconduct became an international headline.
Ansari kept a relatively low public profile for the better part of a year following an accusation from a 22-year-old woman that he pressured her into performing sex acts after a date.
Attendees of Ansari’s recent ‘pop-up’ shows and his Road To Nowhere dates say the comic has worked those accusations – which he has denied – into his set.
“There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way,” Vulture reports he said at one February gig.
“But you know, after a year, how I feel about it is, I hope it was a step forward. It made me think about a lot, and I hope I’ve become a better person.”
Reviewers state the show also tears into the recent reassessment of other pop culture luminaries like R. Kelly and Michael Jackson, and how an acknowledgement of the serious sexual misconduct allegations made against both singers has changed how audiences perceive their work.
If you’re keen to see how that pans out, tickets for the June 3 show at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre and his June 4 show at the Sydney Opera House go on sale 10am this Wednesday. You can peep the details here.
If you would like to talk to a counsellor about rape, sexual assault or domestic violence, give the people over at 1800 RESPECT a call on 1800 737 732.
