'Daily Show' Correspondent -- Aasif Mandvi

Comedy Central's "Daily Show" correspondent Aasif Mandvi: It's scary in front of that green screen. (By Helayne Seidman For The Washington Post)

Aasif Mandvi took your questions Monday, Aug. 27 at 11:30 a.m. ET about his role on "The Daily Show" and his acting career.

A transcript follows.

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Framingham, Mass.: I am a big "Daily Show" fan and I think you are hilarious. Do you and the other "correspondents" write any of your own material?

Aasif Mandvi: We have great writers, but we can contribute as much as we want, it's a pretty collaborative place.

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Washington, D.C.: Where ya from?

I know, you're "cardiologist slash tech support" brown, but where have you called home over the years?

Aasif Mandvi: I live in New York.

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SW Nebraska: Aasif, I've watched "The Daily Show" since 2000 and hate to miss any episode.

Any possibility you'll be going to Iraq or Afghanistan following Rob Riggle? Would you want to?

Aasif Mandvi: lol.. no

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Law & Order: Seriously, has every actor in Hollywood been in at least five "Law and Order" episodes?

Aasif Mandvi: Ten is the minimum to be considered a serious actor.

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Charlottesville, Va.: Has your sense of humor helped you as you go though airport security or is it just a nightmare with your name to fly the "friendly" skies?

Aasif Mandvi: I've never had a problem, they all watch "The Daily Show."

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Jericho: So, did the rescue of that show result in your role continuing as well?

Aasif Mandvi: Kenchy's back.

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Pittsburgh: From Disney World to "The Daily Show"!!? How would you describe the similarities/differences?

Aasif Mandvi: They are both run by a short guy in a costume???

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Walla Walla, Wash.: Hey Aasif -

I love "The Daily Show," but tend to despise the audience (which is odd, given the quick turnover rate). The clapping (not during jokes, but after seemingly standard statements made by Jon or correspondents) reminds me of the State of the Union speeches. When you guys have conservative guests on, audience members are frequently downright rude, while Jon is polite and engaging. Are they told to be that way, or should I just be disappointed in the state of humanity?

Aasif Mandvi: We don't screen the audience .... too much, so i don't think we have much control over how they respond to guests.

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Tampa, Fla.: I have two questions:

(1) Which do you hate more: America or the U.S.?

(2) Who would win in a Xtreme fight: Stewart or Colbert?

Aasif Mandvi: I would have them fight each other.

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Washington, D.C.: Do you think many of the correspondents on "The Daily Show" are hoping to break out of "The Daily Show" and more into movies, such as Steve Carrell did? Or do you think many of them are content for the time in their supporting role on "The Daily Show"?

Aasif Mandvi: I want to make "Aasif Almighty," sure.

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Sewickley, Pa.: Have you always been funny? I really look forward to your bits on "The Daily Show." I am like Pavlov's dog -- you appear and I start to laugh. "Amnesty Unintentional" was wickedly hilarious. Did you write some of it?

Aasif Mandvi: Thanks. We have great writers.

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Chicago: Do you think it's more than a coincidence that Alberto Gonzalez chose to resign the week that you guys are on vacation?

Aasif Mandvi: I think he was waiting for us to look the other way.

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Washington, D.C.: How many comedians have you met that are Republican or conservative? How about at "The Daily Show"?

Aasif Mandvi: None.

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Woodbridge, Va.: When you are "reporting from the field" how close are you actually standing to John Stewart?

Aasif Mandvi: In his lap.

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Los Angeles: Why do you hate America? And if you could provide a list, that would be helpful. God bless! Oh, do you believe in God?

Aasif Mandvi: Th list is too long. I could tell you why I hate Greenland though, much more interesting list.

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Burlington, Vt.: Why were you so mean to Spider-Man?

Aasif Mandvi: Because he is soooo slow that dude.

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New York, N.Y.: Good morning Mr. Mandvi,

Thank you for taking my question. I'm a big fan of "The Daily Show" and your work on it, but I'm more curious about you acting. As one of the few recognizable South Asians in TV/Film, how did you find Hollywood when you were starting out and how is it different (if at all) now? Is it difficult to get parts where your ethnicity is not a factor? And what are your feelings about acting in shows like "Sleeper Cell," which do not always portray minorities in the best light? Sorry, big questions I know, so take your pick.

Aasif Mandvi: Long question, but the journey has been long and many South Asian and Middle Eastern actors compromise their personal beliefs, but you try to draw a line of things you can do and things you can't, but it's not always easy.

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New York, N.Y.: At last, a show that is fair and balanced. What do you think of the reality that many people, especially younger people, do rely on your show for hard news? Indeed, while your show is for entertainment, even in your jokes you probably put some news in a better perspective than other cable news programs? What are your thoughts on that?

Aasif Mandvi: I think news satire has become the only unfiltered news on television today.

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Philadelphia, Pa.: Do you sing? Have you ever thought "The Daily Show" could use more musical dancing?

Aasif Mandvi: Yes and no or maybe the other way.

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WDC: Would you consider fathering my baby?

Aasif Mandvi: Yes, what time zone are you in?

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Hanford, Calif.: Aasif...

Did you enjoy the process of writing your one-man play "Sakina's Restaurant"? Do you intend to write more in the future?

Aasif Mandvi: I'm always writing, it's just a question of the next time I come up with a whole show, which I hope will be soon.

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Pasadena, Calif.: Hi Aasif -- I just wanted to say love the show and love your work!

Aasif Mandvi: Thanks.

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Lyme, Conn..: How did you wind up on "The Daily Show"? Did you audition or did they approach you? How did they come to know about you?

Aasif Mandvi: I auditioned.

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Washington, D.C.: Aasif, I just want to say you have been a welcome addition to "The Daily Show." what's it like behind the scenes? Is it one big laugh fest all the time?

Kudos to "The Daily Show" for continuing to highlight the absurdities of our current political climate.

Aasif Mandvi: Thanks. It's a busy place where we have to put on four shows a week, so I wouldn't say its a laugh fest.

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Hanford, Calif.: Hi Aasif...

I was just curious about how working on "The Daily Show" compares with your previous work. I know you've done a lot of television and film work, along with the theatre you've done. Which do you enjoy most: television, film, or theatre?

Aasif Mandvi: I enjoy all of it in different ways, but "TDS" is like nothing anyone can ever prepare you for.

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Dramatic roles: Is that you behind the desk of Hugh Grant's apartment building in "Music & Lyrics"? Did you have lines that got cut? I was disappointed that you didn't have more commentary on their songs. I thought you would have been great.

Aasif Mandvi: Yes and you should rent the dvd; all my deleted scenes are in it.

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New York, N.Y.: Have you tried the Ben and Jerry's Colbert Ice Crean? If so, can you recommend I run out and buy some?

Aasif Mandvi: Go get some.

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Mackinaw, Ill.: Who influenced you (comedicaly or otherwise) the most?

Aasif Mandvi: Tough question. I have many mentors, but things influence me every day.

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Seattle: How do the correspondents get chosen for particular bits? Does Jon assign? Do the correspondents prepare bits competitively? Recently it seems it's all you, Rob Riggle and the British guy.....(not a complaint)

Aasif Mandvi: We have to arm wrestle for it... no they decide based on the story and our personalities.

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Paris, France: Have you ever turned down or refused to do a story on "The Daily Show"? If so, what was it? Do you get to choose your "reports"?

Aasif Mandvi: I have as of yet never felt the need to turn down a story...i feel pretty good about most of the stuff they give me.

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Alexandria, Va.: First of all, you're awesome and I love you. Second, Atty. General Gonzales resigns the first day of your show's two-week break. Do they plan these resignations around your schedule?

Aasif Mandvi: Yes definately. I think he was just waiting.

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Washington, D.C.: Do you subscribe to any theories about what makes something funny? I read one of Steve Alan's book many years ago where he took an objective look at humor. I assume your humor is more spontaneous.

Aasif Mandvi: I never analyze it, I think I would be terrible at talking about comedy, I am mostly funny when i'm not trying..so i'll stick to that.

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Pittsburgh: I just finished reading "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri. Have you read it? Your Wikipedia entry says you were born in India. How long have you lived in the U.S.?

Aasif Mandvi: I have lived her over twenty years.

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Boston: Hi Aasiv,

Love your work on "The Daily Show". It seems like you have a pretty great acting career, appearing on Jericho, ER, the Sopranos, etc. What made you decide to go the comedy route and do "The Daily Show"?

Aasif Mandvi: I love the show, they offered me a job ... simple as that.

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Chicago: More taped pieces. Sorry, that's not a question -- just a suggestion. Always funnier.

Aasif Mandvi: Noted.

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Fairfax County, Va.: You are one of my favorite Daily Show correspondents. I especially enjoy watching you navigate the touchiest of subjects with cheery aplomb and faux-obliviousness.

My favorite one of your reports to date, which I can't do justice to with a single line, was the explanation of the proposed immigration law, ending with our new slogan (to replace "Bring me your tired, your poor,..."), "What can brown do for you?".

Do you do some of your own writing too, or does "The Daily Show" divide the work between writers and "correspondents"?

Aasif Mandvi: The writers write it and we get to contribute as much as we want, but the writers and John have the final say.

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Top Correspondent: Just wanted to give you and John Oliver shout outs as my favorite "Reporters" on the show. Great stuff.

Aasif Mandvi: Thanks man.

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Penfield, N.Y.: I love your daily show appearances but in the last movie that I saw you in, you played a long-suffering and non-plussed hotel desk clerk with very little chance to display your comic abilities. Was this known to you going in, or were more funny or goofy parts left on the floor?

Aasif Mandvi: Most of my stuff was cut out, but you can see it on the dvd.

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Brooklyn, N.Y.: So where do you hang out after the show? I would love for you to tell me in person why you hate this country so much.

Aasif Mandvi: I hang out down by the river, come on down.

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Blacksburg, Va.: How do you feel about the fact that a lot of young people are getting their news only from "The Daily Show"?

Aasif Mandvi: I think satire is all we are left with unfortunately and young people see that.. so do some old people ...and some pets.

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Karachi, Pakistan: We love your shows here and watch regularily. Just curious, do you speak lnaguages other than English? Would you be willing to do a piece (e.g. an interview with someone who doesn't speak English, by choice) on "The Daily Show" in another language (with English subtitles of course)? I can see some opportunities for wicked comedy there.

Aasif Mandvi: Unfortunately the majority of our audience is English speaking so that would be hard.. but i'll suggest it.

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New York: How does it make you feel to have people ask you continually why you hate this country, when I'm sure you like this country just fine?

Aasif Mandvi: No, I only hate it when Swedes ask me.

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Washington, D.C. : Hey, Aasif! (This is Mary from your college days at USF.) A couple of questions -- with your busy schedule at "The Daily Show", do you ever get a chance tour your play, "Sakina's Restaurant", and that you might perform it in the D.C. area? Also, will you ever come down and mock D.C. in person, vs. via green screen? We have plenty for you to make fun of, that's for sure!

Aasif Mandvi: Is this Mary Linnegar?... Hi. And yes I will come down there, although I don't do "Sakina's" anymore, I can't fit into that dress anymore.

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Anonymous: I understand that Pres. Bush considered nominating Harriet Miers to replace AG Gonzalez but decided on you instead, since at least the confirmation hearings would be entertaining. Can you confirm?

Aasif Mandvi: shhhhh.... it's a secret.

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Help wanted: I want to work for "The Daily Show"! You guys need a librarian with a sense of humor?

Aasif Mandvi: You're hired.

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Alexandria, Va.: Do you get more recognition from "The Daily Show", or your other TV work, or your movie work? (My wife loved "Mystic Masseur." Then again, you're her favorite correspondent. She gets this dreamy look when you do a report.)

Aasif Mandvi: I get a dreamy look when i do a report.... thank your wife for her support and yes, I do get recognized from "TDS" more than most stuff.

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Vallecito, Calif.: After watching your segment on Live Earth, I gotta ask: how about developing a sitcom with you and John Mayer?

Aasif Mandvi: He's way funnier than me.

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Aasif Mandvi: Okay that's it for real this time... thanks everyone.

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