Are You A Charlotte? – Catching Up with Friends: Aasif Mandvi
Podcast: Are You A Charlotte?
Host: Kristen Davis
Guest: Aasif Mandvi
Release Date: May 6, 2026
Episode Overview
This lively conversation between Kristen Davis (Charlotte York from "Sex and the City") and the multi-talented actor, writer, and comedian Aasif Mandvi is a deep-dive into Mandvi’s eclectic career, his memorable appearance on SATC, Broadway escapades, The Daily Show, and the quirks of being recognized. The episode is rich in nostalgia, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and reflections on the changing nature of fame, representation, technology, and relationships, all delivered with warmth and camaraderie.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Catching Up: Broadway, Birthdays, and "Fallen Angels"
- Aasif’s Broadway Run (04:59): Mandvi shares excitement about opening "Fallen Angels" on Broadway with a "brilliant, wonderful cast" including Kelli O'Hara, Rose Byrne, Tracy Chimo, Chris Fitzgerald, and Mark Consuelos.
- Mandvi reflects on rarely getting to play upper-class British comedic roles despite his English upbringing:
Quote: "I grew up watching all of those British sitcoms and...I never get to play those parts like that upper-class British...and satirize that world." (05:39, Mandvi)
- Fun banter about wishing to join "The Gilded Age" cast, but acknowledging it's tricky for "Sex and the City" castmates to work together elsewhere. (06:11–06:45)
From The Daily Show to Stardom
- Mandvi describes his unusual path: began as an actor, not a comedian. The Daily Show was "an anomaly"—he was just a "working, sort of jobbing actor" in NY doing "Law & Order" and "Sex and the City" before his correspondent gig.
(08:46–09:37)
- His Daily Show audition was with Jon Stewart and resulted in an immediate on-air debut. He became the show’s first non-Caucasian correspondent, a breakthrough for representation:
Quote: "I was the first non Caucasian correspondent on the Daily Show. So...there was a whole article in the LA Times the next day about how there was this brown guy on The Daily Show." (10:48, Mandvi)
- The Daily Show’s impact on his acting career:
Quote: "It helped. If you are on a show that is part of the zeitgeist...it doesn't matter how many people watch your show. It matters who watches your show." (11:59–12:17, Mandvi)
Peacock’s "The Miniature Wife"
- Mandvi discusses his new hit show on Peacock with Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen about a scientist who accidentally miniaturizes his wife in an effort to solve climate change. The show is topping streaming charts.
(13:02–17:03)
- Behind-the-scenes visual effects stories: actors spent weeks acting to green screens and cardboard cutouts for size-effect shots.
- Memorable Moment:
Quote: "Elizabeth spent the whole time, like, working with Giant, like, you know, Hershey's Kisses and stuff." (15:39, Mandvi)
Revisiting Sex and the City: The Tech Serve Episode
- Timeline Context: Mandvi appeared in season four, episode "My Motherboard, My Self," shot at the real Tech Serve on July 15, 2001.
(17:12–19:20)
- On portraying the snooty tech worker:
Quote: "Comedically, him being very dismissive and sort of, like, a little bit snooty with her...was funnier than if I was, like, really nice and very helpful." (19:31, Mandvi)
- Tech Serve employees’ reactions: staff felt misrepresented and posted a "We are not this guy" sign with Mandvi's picture!
(20:09–20:55)
Nostalgia & Evolving Technology
- Kristen and Aasif bond over the anxieties of tech failures, cloud storage, and parental mishaps with kids’ devices.
(25:56–29:10)
- The cloud "back-up" confusion and the value (and fears!) of using AI tools like ChatGPT for practical questions.
Quote: "I'm afraid of ChatGPT, so you do that and let me know what it says. Okay. Because I'm scared, and I don't want it on my phone." (29:10, Davis)
The “Sex and the City” Impact & Being Recognized
- Mandvi’s first taste of intense public attention was after his brief SATC appearance.
Quote: "The day after it aired, I walked down the street, and females. Women were literally like, oh, my God, it's the guy." (31:26–31:46)
- Discussion on how viewers conflate actors and characters, and Mandvi’s experience as the snarky Daily Show persona.
(33:10–34:53)
- Mandvi on being a “first” in representation:
Quote: "I was an insider and an outsider at the same time. So I could stand on the fence and...talk about America as an American, but also as an immigrant." (36:45–37:50)
Daily Show, Political Time Machine
- Contrasts between the energy at Democratic vs. Republican party conventions and the show’s bipartisan audience.
Quote: "The Democratic National Convention was like a keg party...Then you go to the Republican convention and it was like ice sculptures and everyone was like in. And it was like a debutante ball." (39:53–40:20)
Straight Male Perspective: Aidan vs. Big, Relationships, and Gender
- Kristen asks Mandvi for a straight male take on Carrie’s relationships, specifically Big vs. Aidan.
- Notes that Aidan = reliable, stable, but sometimes clueless, while Big is the "elusive" chase.
- The age-old problem of men wanting to fix versus women wanting to be heard; Mandvi observes how these dynamics show up in his own marriage, not always falling neatly along gender lines.
Quote: "I think Aiden always represented that guy who was 100% like the salt of the earth...trying to do, but sometimes a little clueless, like in a guy way." (47:53, Mandvi)
- Parenting vs. Partnership:
- Mandvi claims fatherhood is more clear-cut than marriage:
Quote: "I found it's much easier to be a dad than it is to be a husband." (50:57, Mandvi)
- Discussion of the emotional investment of parenting and resisting the urge to intervene (e.g. "I'm going to call their parents").
(52:03–54:32)
- Kristen shares funny/sweet anecdotes about parenting a teen and an eight-year-old.
Notable Quotes
- On casting in British farces:
"I never get to play those parts like that upper class British...and satirize that world."
—Aasif Mandvi (05:39)
- On The Daily Show's impact:
"It helped...if you are on a show that is part of the zeitgeist...it matters who watches your show."
—Aasif Mandvi (11:59–12:17)
- About the Tech Serve aftermath:
"...when you got out of the elevator to go to Tech Serve...there was a picture of me from Sex and the City and was like, we are not this guy."
—Aasif Mandvi (20:21–20:55)
- On representing as a brown, Muslim immigrant:
"I had this unique position on the show which was like, I was an insider and an outsider at the same time..."
—Aasif Mandvi (36:45–37:50)
- On Carrie’s love triangle:
"Aidan was always represented that guy who was 100% like the salt of the earth...sometimes a little clueless, like in a guy way."
—Aasif Mandvi (47:53)
- On parenthood:
"I found it's much easier to be a dad than it is to be a husband."
—Aasif Mandvi (50:57)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- [04:19] – Start of main conversation; Aasif Mandvi introduced
- [04:59] – Broadway: "Fallen Angels" and cast discussion
- [08:46] – Mandvi’s career before The Daily Show
- [10:48] – Becoming the first non-Caucasian correspondent
- [13:02] – "The Miniature Wife" explained
- [17:12] – SATC "My Motherboard, My Self," Tech Serve memories
- [20:09] – Tech Serve employees’ reaction to his portrayal
- [25:56] – Kristen and Aasif’s woes with modern tech and cloud storage
- [29:10] – Fears and uses of ChatGPT and technology
- [31:26] – Effects of appearing on SATC and public recognition
- [36:45] – Being a groundbreaking correspondent and impact
- [39:53] – The Daily Show at political conventions
- [44:46] – A straight man's take: Aidan vs. Big debate
- [47:53] – Relationship mechanics and gender dynamics
- [50:57] – Parenting vs. partnership clarity
- [54:08] – Parental anecdotes: playground politics and holding back
Memorable Moments
- Mandvi acting with "giant Hershey’s Kisses" on the "Miniature Wife" set.
- The Tech Serve "We Are Not This Guy" protest poster—infamous for both Mandvi and the SATC fan community.
- Both genuinely expressing envy over not being cast on "The Gilded Age."
- Relatable, comic interplay about Apple store mishaps, cloud confusion, and ChatGPT dread.
Tone & Language
- The conversation is candid, humorous, and occasionally wistful, with both Kristen and Aasif playing off each other’s self-deprecation and delight in nostalgia.
- Mandvi brings a combination of sharp insight and warmth, particularly regarding career transitions, diversity, and the quirks of fame.
- Kristen is openly fan-girlish about Aasif’s career, inquiring and commiserating about the tribulations of modern tech and parenting.
Note: The episode ends with a teaser for a possible "part two," as both guests clearly have more to say!
For fans of Sex and the City, comedy, Broadway, or pop culture evolution, this episode offers sharp insights, untold stories, and laughs with a beloved guest who represents the changing face of entertainment over the past two decades.
