Catching up with Friends: Aasif Mandvi

Summary

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.

Transcript

[Charlotte York]

This is an I heart podcast. Guaranteed human.

[Kristen Davis]

You know that fantasy version of your life? The one where you wake up and the light's hitting just right and you do a 20 minute workout in your gorgeous living room and you feel like the lead in your own movie? Yeah. That's not a fantasy anymore. You can get your own Reformer. I just got one and it is so beautiful and I just love it so much and it's just right there. It makes it so, so easy. And you can say hello to your Reformer. It basically worked out my workout problem. I was paying for studio classes and I'd cancel half the time. The parking, the scheduling. Then I saw your Reformer and my first thought wasn't even about working out. It was, wow, that's beautiful. What a beautiful piece of gorgeous furniture. And it really is, you guys. Every Reformer comes with access to over 1000 instructor led workouts on the youe Reformer app. App, including all the tools and accessories. Your first three months on the app are free and you've got expert LED classes. Whether you're a day one beginner or a post work decompressor, they deliver across mainland USA within seven days. Just go to your reformer dot com. Hey your Reformer. Thanks for working out my workout problem. Use the code are you a Charlotte 200 for $200 off your [e-mail] your space, your pace, your Reformer. I am obsessed with Hill House Home, the brand behind the viral nap dress with the signature smocking that's incredibly flattering, unbelievably comfortable and so versatile. I can wear the same one running errands by day and out to dinner at night. I just got one the other day from them. It's pink, it's flowy. I love it so, so much. You could just put on some flip flops, whatever you want and you look great and you're totally happy and comfortable. Hill House makes fun fashion that makes you feel good. Which is why celebrities like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Anne Hathaway and I bet Charlotte York would love it too. Get 15% off your first order of a hundred dollars or more at hillhouse home.com with the code Charlotte15. Again. That's Charlotte15 for 15% [e-mail] taking care of yourself means taking care of your eyes too. And that gritty, irritated feeling could be dry eye. Maibo, AKA Perfluorohexalactane Ophthalmic solution is the only prescription dry eye drop that directly targets the number one cause of dry eye. Too much tear evaporation. Ask your eye doctor how you can treat dry eye differently with Meibo. Oh yeah, don't use if allergic to Mibo. Remove contacts before using and wait at least 30 minutes before putting them back in. Eye redness and blurred vision may occur. For info, call 1-800-553-5340 or visit miebo.com

[Public Investing Announcer]

support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index. With AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500 the then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory services by Public Advisors, llc. SEC Registered Advisor. Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures available at public.comdisclosures

[Kristen Davis]

hi, I'm Kristen Davis and I want to know, are you a Charlotte? You guys, Asif Manvi is here. I should have said that right away.

[Asif Mandvi]

We're on now.

[Kristen Davis]

It's very exciting. We're totally on. There's no action. There's no action.

[Asif Mandvi]

There's no action.

[Kristen Davis]

It's weird, right?

[Asif Mandvi]

It is weird.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah. You just start, you're just rolling and no one says anything.

[Asif Mandvi]

It's kind of cool.

[Kristen Davis]

I'm here, he's here. And you guys, he's here because he's on my motherboard myself, which probably you all know, and we're gonna discuss it. But also we have some other things that we have to catch up on.

[Asif Mandvi]

Okay.

[Kristen Davis]

All right. Because number one, he went to Cynthia's birthday party, which I missed, which I'm really sad about. So we were catching up about that, but then I was hearing about the fact that, number one, you're on Broadway.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

Which is insane. And tell me again about it because it's incredible. Your cast is Incredible.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, it's. Well, we're doing Fallen Angels and it's on Broadway. We just opened.

[Kristen Davis]

Amazing.

[Asif Mandvi]

And it's Kelli o', Hara, Rose Byrne. They're hilarious together. Tracy Chimo, Chris. Chris Fitzgerald, Mark Consuelo's amazing. It's such a brilliant, wonderful cast that I get to work with. And it's no coward. And so it's all the British farce. So it's super fun. And it's all like, hello, blah, blah, blah. And I never get to do that. You know, I grew up in England and so.

[Kristen Davis]

I didn't know that.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, yeah, I grew up in England, so I grew up watching all of those British sitcoms and those sort of like, hello, Vicar and all that kind of thing and. But I never get to. Yeah, exactly. At least, like, that was the, you know, the original Downton Abbey. Right. You know, and so I. I never get to play those parts like. Like that upper class British.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

You know, and satirize that world.

[Kristen Davis]

That's fantastic.

[Asif Mandvi]

So it's really fun. And it's fun.

[Kristen Davis]

And we were also saying that you should really be on Gilded Age.

[Asif Mandvi]

I should be on Gilded Age? If they listen to this podcast, I want to know. Right. I want to put it out right there.

[Kristen Davis]

Hopefully someone will.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, I want to be on Gilded Age.

[Kristen Davis]

I also would die to be on Gilded Age, but I don't think I'm going to get to be. Because Cynthia's there. And once one of us is there,

[Asif Mandvi]

then that's the thing, Right? Yeah. It's weird if you're both on the. And then if you have scenes together. That's really weird.

[Kristen Davis]

It's totally strange. But sometimes in my mind, because. Because of the wigs and the costumes.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, maybe, maybe.

[Kristen Davis]

But then probably no. So I just, like, watch it with such envy.

[Asif Mandvi]

I know.

[Kristen Davis]

You know, such envy. And like, there was a time that her character had this King Kevlar Charles dog, which I used to have in the show. And I was like, this is killing me in so many ways. Cause also, Cynthia's not really a dog person.

[Asif Mandvi]

Right.

[Kristen Davis]

And she had to have. One whole episode was about if her dog ran across the street and she had to take to the fainting couch. This is so surreal and bizarre, but whatever. I think the dog survived, but we haven't seen it lately, which is interesting.

[Asif Mandvi]

That's interesting though, right, what you say, which is that, like, if you're on a hit show with a group of actors like you guys were, then you can never be on another show with any of them ever again.

[Kristen Davis]

Is that horrible? See, that's why we keep coming back.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

Because we want to work together, but we can't do it in any other way.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah. It's crazy.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah. Exactly, exactly, exactly. But what about you and the Daily show people?

[Asif Mandvi]

Oh, we. Yeah, we. We don't. We don't like each other anyway, so it doesn't really. We don't want to work together. It's like the last thing I want to do that is work with those guys. No, no. I mean, I. We would. I would. You know, it's not. I think. I think that has been. It might be weird. I don't know. I. I'm trying to think, like, if I will they also. They come like John Oliver and Sam. I just did Sam's podcast, actually, and that was great because we had, like, a reunion sort of thing, you know? But I don't know if, like, if I was to do a show, maybe it might be fine. I don't know, like, something like Jason or somebody like that, you know?

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah, that'd be so good.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean, the thing that I love about your career is that for me, that's how I came to know you.

[Asif Mandvi]

Because. Tell me. Cause I need to.

[Kristen Davis]

I'm gonna tell you. Because also, you're on so many things now. Cause we didn't talk about the show yet or the next thing. You're about to tell me that I said to wait. But, like, I knew you originally as a personality or whatever you would call it. On the Daily Show. On the Daily show, yes. Right.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

But now I feel like you've really fully transitioned into, like, a fantastic acting career.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah. Well, what's weird about my career, in a way, is that I always started as an actor. Like, I never was a comedian or standup in that way. I. So me getting on the Daily show was a bit of an anomaly in my career because I was doing, like. I went to school, drama school and got it and was doing theater, and I was on Broadway.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah. Yeah. Wow.

[Asif Mandvi]

And I was doing all, you know, every actor in New York does, which is like, I was doing, like, Law and Order, and I did Sex and the City.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes. Thankfully.

[Asif Mandvi]

And, you know, all of those little things. And so I was always just like a working, sort of jobbing actor.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Asif Mandvi]

And then I got this. Just an audition for the Daily Show.

[Kristen Davis]

No way. Just a regular audition.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah. They just called and said, come down and audition for the Daily Show. And it was originally a one off. Wow. And so I went in and did this and I just literally just walked in, auditioned with Jon Stewart.

[Kristen Davis]

Wow.

[Asif Mandvi]

And got the job that day to be on the show that night. Wow. Right. And anyway, so I do the show.

[Kristen Davis]

Did you love it?

[Asif Mandvi]

Oh, well, I watched the show. Right. And you know.

[Kristen Davis]

You were a fan.

[Asif Mandvi]

I was a fan. I was like, oh, this is great. I didn't know what I was doing. I just came down. I mean, I was like. I was a little snooty about it. I've told this story before. Like, I was a little like. Because John said to me when I walked in for the audition, he said, have you ever performed in front of a live audience before? Because, you know, the show tapes in front of a live audience. And I was like, I've been on Broadway. And he was like, oh, okay. So anyway, so I do the thing. It's on that night. And I was the first non Caucasian correspondent on the Daily Show. So they. So there was a whole year. It was 2006.

[Kristen Davis]

Got it.

[Asif Mandvi]

And. And there was a whole article in the LA Times the next day about how there was this brown guy on the Daily show. And it was like. And they had me like reporting from the Middle east. And you know, sadly that that story could apply today, you know, so. But anyway. But the point is that like I did it. It was a one off. And then John just liked me and so he said, do you want to come back? And so my weird sort of audition trial process was that he just kept calling me back and doing one offs.

[Kristen Davis]

Wow.

[Asif Mandvi]

Three or four months. And I was shooting a TV show in LA at the time called Jericho with Skeet Ulrich. Wow. And a whole bunch of wonderful actors on that. And so I was going back and forth and it was like I was living the dream at that time because I was like, I gotta. I'm doing the show. And then they call me in for the Daily show every now, every couple of weeks or whatever. They're just coming and do a bit on the show. And then after about three or four months of that, John said, we want to offer you a contract.

[Kristen Davis]

Amazing.

[Asif Mandvi]

And have you be a regular correspondent.

[Kristen Davis]

Did it hurt your acting career, Daily Show? Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

No, it helped.

[Kristen Davis]

Amazing.

[Asif Mandvi]

No, you know how this works. If you are on a show that is part of the zeitgeist.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

And what I've realized about this business is that sadly it doesn't matter how many people watch your show. It matters who watches your show.

[Kristen Davis]

That's a good point.

[Asif Mandvi]

You know what I mean?

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah, I do.

[Asif Mandvi]

And the Daily show did not have a huge Audience. But the. In terms of, like, it wasn't like, getting, like, American Idol numbers, you know what I mean?

[Kristen Davis]

But it had a huge impact.

[Asif Mandvi]

But it was being watched by all the people in Hollywood and New York.

[Kristen Davis]

For sure. For sure.

[Asif Mandvi]

The urban centers. Cultural.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah, yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

And so it actually helped my actor.

[Kristen Davis]

Amazing. That's great.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

Thank God. So let's talk about the miniature wife, because I just saw a big. I love it. Elizabeth Banks.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, she's in it. Right?

[Kristen Davis]

Okay. You looked confused for a second. I was like, is this the right show?

[Asif Mandvi]

No, no, no, that's. I, I, I, I. I gave you a blank stare, which made you go, what?

[Kristen Davis]

I was like, wait, am I wrong?

[Asif Mandvi]

No, no, that's true.

[Kristen Davis]

Because I saw a big billboard. I'm a little behind it. So hard to keep up. Right. With the things.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

But I was very excited because on my Instagram, I saw that it is, I think, the most watched show of, like, last week, maybe.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, yeah. It was number one on Peacock. Wow. So.

[Kristen Davis]

And it's on Peacock, which is amazing. Okay.

[Asif Mandvi]

Which is great.

[Kristen Davis]

And what is it?

[Asif Mandvi]

What is it? So it's literally about a guy who miniaturizes his wife. It's not a metaphor. It's about Matthew McFadden, who people know.

[Kristen Davis]

He's amazing obsession and incredible actor.

[Asif Mandvi]

Lots of other things.

[Kristen Davis]

Incredible.

[Asif Mandvi]

Mr. Darcy, you know, beyond and all that.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah. Don't get me started.

[Asif Mandvi]

And so he plays a scientist who has come up with a formula or a way to miniaturize crops.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay.

[Asif Mandvi]

So that they can miniaturize them to combat climate change.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh.

[Asif Mandvi]

And so you can grow a whole field of corn on a tabletop.

[Kristen Davis]

Wow.

[Asif Mandvi]

Right? Amazing.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay.

[Asif Mandvi]

It's all.

[Kristen Davis]

But can you eat the corn? Would be my question.

[Asif Mandvi]

Well, the point is, what he hasn't quite figured out yet, yet is how to reanimate the corn so it's back to normal size.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay. Okay.

[Asif Mandvi]

So he hasn't figured out the B side of the equation.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay.

[Asif Mandvi]

And anyway, he and his wife, Elizabeth Banks, have a very, very dysfunctional, unfulfilling marriage, which is. They're very volatile together, let's say. Okay. Anyway, miniaturizing her helps, huh?

[Kristen Davis]

Does it help that she gets miniaturized?

[Asif Mandvi]

Well, it certainly helps narratively.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay. Sure. It gives a story. So a lever. So there you go.

[Asif Mandvi]

So it doesn't their marriage at all.

[Kristen Davis]

No.

[Asif Mandvi]

She accidentally gets. They get into a big argument. She doesn't know what he's doing because he's being very secretive about it, and

[Kristen Davis]

she does it on purpose.

[Asif Mandvi]

No, she is accidentally on purpose kind of thing. And so that's a big sort of, like, question. Like, does he. Is it an accident? You know, I mean, fascinating. It's interesting in the show, like, it's not completely clear. Like, it may be both. Maybe it was a bit of an accident and sort of kind of almost accidentally on purpose sort of thing.

[Kristen Davis]

I feel like Matthew McFadden is very good at things like that.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah. Yeah. So it's like he. He's like, Anyway, she basically. Not to give it all away because I want people to watch it, but he. She gets miniaturized.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay.

[Asif Mandvi]

And now she's living in the dollhouse. He's trying to take care of her. He hasn't told her what on earth. That. But he miniaturizes everything. So it looks like she's living in their house.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, my God.

[Asif Mandvi]

So she feels. She has her laptop, and she has her, like, you know, I need to watch this.

[Kristen Davis]

I'm.

[Asif Mandvi]

Wow. It's crazy. And Elizabeth spent the whole time, like, working with Giant, like, you know, Hershey's Kisses and stuff.

[Kristen Davis]

And it was by herself.

[Asif Mandvi]

Well, she had to do all of that by herself. And then Matthew was. Is Giant. So it's like. It's like he's a huge. And so he's talking on a green screen. When they shot it, he was talking. She's not there, obviously, because she's miniaturized. So they were in separate rooms, I guess, you know. Cause he's talking to a cardboard cutout against a green screen. Oh, my God.

[Kristen Davis]

Are you your full size?

[Asif Mandvi]

I'm my full size. And actually, weirdly, when we got there, the rest of the cast. There was one day we got there. Cause Matthew had spent the first, like, month just working by himself on a green screen.

[Kristen Davis]

My nightmare.

[Asif Mandvi]

And then we got there, and it was so funny. Cause he was so funny. Cause he was like, oh, my God, this is so great. I get to work with actual actors.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean. Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

And this feels like a real show now. He was like, I really was just sitting in a room in a green screen for, like, a month, just talking to a cardboard cutout of Elizabeth Banks. And so. And then she was doing her own version of that.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, my God.

[Asif Mandvi]

And so. But it's really. It's a very clever, fun story that goes where you don't expect it to go.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay.

[Asif Mandvi]

It does. It does have, like, a lot of twists and turns.

[Kristen Davis]

Well, now I'm very excited to see it.

[Asif Mandvi]

It's kind of fun. Yay. I'm really. I. I When, you know, when you're making something and you're like, oh, this is gonna be. This is fun. Like, this is just. Like, I would watch this show.

[Kristen Davis]

Cool. So let's use that as a segue to Sex in the City. So I did not realize that you did this before the Daily show because in my mind, time does not really exist. Right. You know what I'm saying? Everything is condensed. Whatever. So you're an actor. You're in New York, you're doing Broadway and auditioning and doing Law and Order and whatnot, and you come and you audition for us.

[Asif Mandvi]

I think it was an audition. It must have been. Yeah. I wasn't getting offers back then, so.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay. Okay.

[Asif Mandvi]

So I was probably. Yeah, I came in for an audition.

[Kristen Davis]

Like, what was your.

[Asif Mandvi]

I was like, oh, it's Sex and the City. I mean, I. I was aware of the show. I didn't watch it all the time, but I watched it.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Asif Mandvi]

And you know, this was. What year was it? It was like season four.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah. So it's like 2001.

[Asif Mandvi]

2001.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah. Before 9 11.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, before 9 11. And so you guys.

[Kristen Davis]

On July 15th, 2001.

[Asif Mandvi]

Oh, wow. So you guys were giant at that point. No, I mean. I mean, like. I'll tell you what I mean. Like, it was a giant show. It was a big show. And I come in, I audition for it, we shoot it. It's great. We do it at this place called Tech Serve.

[Kristen Davis]

The real Tech Serve you were at.

[Asif Mandvi]

The real Techserv doesn't exist anymore. I know.

[Kristen Davis]

We had the writers on yesterday, and we all had a moment of silence for techserv.

[Asif Mandvi]

I.

[Kristen Davis]

So you were really there.

[Asif Mandvi]

That's great. Oh, you had the writers on.

[Kristen Davis]

We had Julian and Lucas.

[Asif Mandvi]

Julian and Julia Rombert.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah. And. Yeah. So the weird thing is that, like, when I did it, my take, I had never been to Tech Serve. That was the first time I had ever done that. It was the beginning of the thing. Now you just go to the Apple store. You go to the Genius bar. But back then, it was like, if you had a Mac, this is where you went.

[Kristen Davis]

Right, right.

[Asif Mandvi]

And. And it's so funny. Like, I just watched the show the other night, and it's like he's got the old Mac, you know, it's like that old.

[Kristen Davis]

He's the cute.

[Asif Mandvi]

When he holds up, when Aiden holds. They got me. He's like, it's like a purse.

[Kristen Davis]

Look at that. I know. I don't even think that young.

[Asif Mandvi]

Young people will be like, what is that?

[Kristen Davis]

But he's so proud.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

And so, anyway, so that was. That was Texer. So I played it, and we shot it at the real Texer.

[Kristen Davis]

Amazing.

[Asif Mandvi]

And the real people that work there were there.

[Kristen Davis]

No.

[Asif Mandvi]

So, like, the people in the background and the extras and stuff that you see are really the people that work at TechService. Wow.

[Kristen Davis]

Wow.

[Asif Mandvi]

And so when I was shooting it, I played it because comedically, him being very dismissive and sort of, like, a little bit snooty with her, like, did you back up your work? Like, you know, that kind of, like, was funnier than if I was, like, really nice and very helpful also.

[Kristen Davis]

I thought it was very accurate.

[Asif Mandvi]

Well, the thing was that the people who work at TechSourv got really mad about us. They were, like, watching us, and they were like, why is he doing it like that? Like, we're. Cause they were like, this is. We are very nice, and we're very helpful, and we help people. We're not jerks.

[Kristen Davis]

Wow.

[Asif Mandvi]

And this guy's pretending like we're all acting like we're all jerks. And, of course, comedically, for the show, it was better.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Asif Mandvi]

So they were not happy with the portrayal of how they were portrayed.

[Kristen Davis]

That's stressful.

[Asif Mandvi]

And then afterwards, I heard that when you got. So when you went to TechSoup, you went up in the elevator and you got off, and there was a little lobby area, and then you went in. So in the lobby area, there was a. After the show aired, there was a picture of my face and a huge circle and an X through my face, and it said, we are not this guy.

[Kristen Davis]

That's so mortifying.

[Asif Mandvi]

So when you got out of the elevator to go to Texas, you just saw a picture of me from Sex and the City and was like, we are not this guy.

[Kristen Davis]

That's so great. See? Okay, let's talk about the ultimate main character moment. You know the feeling. You wake up, the light is hitting your living room just right. And instead of rushing out the door, fighting traffic, and battling for a parking spot at a crowded studio, you just transition from sleep mode to me mode without even leaving your sanctuary. This is the magic of your reformer. I just got one of these, you guys, and it is so beautiful. And I put it in my bedroom where the kids aren't there, so that I can just literally do it whenever I'm getting ready. I can just take 10, 20 minutes, get a little workout in. It's amazing. And every Reformer purchase includes access to your Reformer app, which has over 1,000 instructor led on demand workouts. You get your first three months free on the app and you can start with confidence, expert instruction and all the tools and accessories you need to progress at your own pace. Oh, and did I mention it's a gorgeous piece of furniture as well. It really is. You guys not quite ready to invest? You can actually rent your Reformer for your home for only $39 a week. That is less than the average cost of a studio class your Reformer delivers to your home within seven days across the mainland USA. Visit your reformer.com use the code are you a Charlotte 200? To receive $200 off your purchase, your space, your pace, your Reformer I have to tell you guys about Hill House Home. The brand behind the viral nap dress. The one with the signature smocking is both flattering and comfortable. What I love about Hill House dresses is how versatile they are. I just got the scarlet MIDI nap dress and I can wear it running errands during the day and at dinner or a party that night. No outfit change required. And it's not just dresses. Hill House started with bedding in 2016 and their robes and pajamas are so soft. Made from the same cotton fabric as their baby onesies. They also have the cutest styles for women, babies and kids and including monogrammable robes, onesies and pajamas that make the perfect gift. I love my pink dress that I just got the other day from them. It's so comfortable I can wear it around the house and then I can run errands, I can go to lunch. It's I it's a dream. Hill House makes fun fashion that makes you feel good, which explains why celebrities like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Anne Hathaway have been spotted wearing it. Honestly, Charlotte York would be all over this. Get 15% off your first order of $100 or more at Hillhouse Home.com with the code Charlotte15. Again, that's Charlotte15 for 15% off at Hillhouse Home.com grocery prices are skyrocketing, but

[Charlotte York]

true nature meets beef Garne Asada delivers zesty flair for under $6 per person. Juicy Pre cooked with Sonoran marinade ready for tacos or plates. Eat in two minutes. Vibrant restaurant level taste at home, exceptional taste, honest value. Visit TrueNatureMeats.com Code free meat for 20 off plus free New York strip Texas smoked brisket and Mediterranean chicken with code FreeMeatreNatureMeats.com look, if we're talking self care

[Kristen Davis]

face masks and spa days, those are non negotiables. But you know what else shouldn't be overlooked. Your eyes. If dry eye is leaving them feeling scratchy, gritty or irritated, it could be time to try something different. To be open minded, you know, consider asking your eye doctor about Mibo, that perfluorohexalactane ophthalmic solution. It's the only prescription dry eye drop that directly targets too much tear evaporation, the number one cause of dry eye. Why wait? Take care of yourself and ask your eye doctor about treating dry eye differently with Maibo. Oh yeah, don't use if allergic to Maibo. Remove contacts before using and wait at least 30 minutes before putting them back in. Eye redness and blurred vision may occur. For more info on Mibo, call 1-800-553-5340 or visit miebo.com. Now, obviously much time has passed since this and tech serve doesn't exist anymore, which is kind of sad. But like, to me, I thought you were kind of nice compared to some experiences I've had.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, I mean, I think that, you know. Yeah. I mean, look, look, who knows how realistic their impression of themselves.

[Kristen Davis]

100 right. Because in the beginning we were all very, very clueless. I mean, I'm still very, very clueless. Right. But like, you know, they are literally like, what do you mean you didn't back it up? Like, you know, I mean.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, well, now it's funny because like, now everything's on the cloud, right? And even the idea of backing up is now, like not. I mean, now you just put it on it. I mean, yes, hopefully, right? But you put it on the cloud and it's all just kind of there. And now if your computer crashes, you know, you can pretty much retrieve everything if it's on the cloud.

[Kristen Davis]

I have so much anxiety about this.

[Asif Mandvi]

I know, I know.

[Kristen Davis]

I just recently had to go to the Apple store. I made an appointment. It's such a long story that I won't get into all the details. I took my daughter. It was relating to my daughter's first laptop that she got during COVID died. You know, when it dies and like the screen goes halfway, there's that thing, right? But I mean, I have the cloud and she signed into it, but that's it. There's no backing up. She's 14 years old, right? So we go down there, I have an appointment and everything. We go down there and there's this lady who's like the wrangler, like at the door, right? And I'm like, we have an appointment. No, no. She goes, well, what's the Problem. And I said, oh, look, the. You know, her laptop. She was like, no, no, you. You need to go home. This is on the cloud.

[Asif Mandvi]

You.

[Kristen Davis]

You're. You're gonna deal with it at home. I'm like, no, no, no. I have an appointment. She was like, no, no, you're gonna. You're. You're gonna go home. You're gonna call Apple Sport. I'm like, but what. I. What. I'm here. Like, what do you mean?

[Charlotte York]

It was so.

[Asif Mandvi]

Aren't you Apple Support, like, in real life, Right?

[Kristen Davis]

So she sent us away. It was devastating. My daughter was devastated, right? Because she was the thing. Right? So then it's. It's our nearby mall, right? Our nearby Apple Store. So then I was like, gemma, we're going to try again. We're going to try again. We're going to go back. So I go back and I'm like, please, it's a different person. I'm like, hopefully, that lady won't be there. And it ends up being this. Really? I make an appointment, right? I make an appointment. I'm like, please, we can't figure it out at home. They send us away. We tried everything.

[Charlotte York]

Please let us.

[Kristen Davis]

Please let us stay.

[Asif Mandvi]

Oh, my gosh.

[Kristen Davis]

They were like, what do you mean they sent you away?

[Asif Mandvi]

Oh, no.

[Kristen Davis]

I know. And they were like, you're Charlotte. And I'm like, I am. Sometimes it's super.

[Asif Mandvi]

Sometimes it works. Sometimes it's helpful.

[Kristen Davis]

I know. I was like, thank God people like Charlotte.

[Asif Mandvi]

Thank you, thank you.

[Kristen Davis]

Thank you, God. So they helped us and we got it done. But, I mean, it's a totally different

[Asif Mandvi]

world in terms of now.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

I mean, I'm getting anxiety just listening

[Kristen Davis]

to you right now.

[Asif Mandvi]

I'm like, I need to go home and make sure everything is on the cloud.

[Kristen Davis]

I know.

[Asif Mandvi]

Because. Because if it's not, then you.

[Kristen Davis]

Well, I did also, and then we're going to move on. But I did also just recently see something on Instagram. I don't know if it was because we've been watching my motherboard myself, right? Because my. You know, your phone hears you. This lady said, I thought everything was backed up on the cloud, and so I thought I would clean out my photos. So I did. And it erased all the photos because your cloud is synced to your phone.

[Asif Mandvi]

Wait, she erased her photos on her

[Kristen Davis]

phone and it went away from her cloud? This is what the lady on Instagram said.

[Asif Mandvi]

That's so crazy.

[Kristen Davis]

Isn't that upsetting? Maybe someone professional could help us on the Instagram.

[Asif Mandvi]

You know what I'M going to have a word with Chad GPT about this and find out. Okay, great. If this is.

[Kristen Davis]

I'm afraid of Chat GPT, 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. I'm scared.

[Asif Mandvi]

I know. I know. I should. I. The. The. It's not. The politics of it is. Is not good. But I do. I have used it, and I do use it sometimes.

[Kristen Davis]

Is it helpful?

[Asif Mandvi]

It does give you information.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay.

[Asif Mandvi]

That you need sometimes to, like, not have to be on hold on some, you know.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Asif Mandvi]

You know what I found it's really helpful is, like, sometimes when you're like, if you need, like, medical advice, like, in terms of, like, you can just ask, and then it'll say, like, these are the questions that you should ask your doctor.

[Kristen Davis]

I like that. I like that. I like that.

[Asif Mandvi]

Because sometimes you don't need to do that. You can do this.

[Kristen Davis]

I like that. I like that. I'm very neurotic about medical. Dental might be helpful.

[Asif Mandvi]

Then I talk to my doctor, and I was like. I'm like, look, what about this? And my doctor's like, you've been on ChatGPT.

[Kristen Davis]

That's funny. The thing that scares me is when people are like, I. I told Chat GPT my dreams in life and asked it what I should do in the next five years. And again, I was like, are you insane?

[Asif Mandvi]

Like, yeah, yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

Coming to.

[Asif Mandvi]

Like, we don't. You can't go to it as a therapist.

[Kristen Davis]

No.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah. Although people. I'm sure people do.

[Kristen Davis]

Definitely. I mean, in depth. I'm scared. I'm so scared. I'm so scared. And I just don't want it to. To take our jobs, obviously.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yes. Yes.

[Kristen Davis]

Very scary. Okay, so take us back again. I want. I love to hear people's feelings and thoughts. So you're on the show. You're at the Real Tech Serve. They're upset with you. They put this picture, which is super mortifying. You're with Sarah and John Corvitz there. You guys shoot. Did you shoot all night? Was it cuckoo crazy or was it not all night?

[Asif Mandvi]

It was like. It was. I seem to remember it. It was actually. I think it was in the daytime, like.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay.

[Asif Mandvi]

And we shot it, and it was great. I mean, they were really nice. I'd never met either of them before.

[Kristen Davis]

Got it.

[Asif Mandvi]

And they were, you know, really sweet and really. And. And what I was gonna say is, like, it was. It was so interesting because at that time, I watched Sex and the City occasionally, whatever. Like. But it was. It was obviously, like, a huge show among women.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

And women watched it all the time. I mean, they were following you guys, you know? And the day after it aired, I walked down the street, and females. Women were literally like, oh, my God, it's the guy.

[Kristen Davis]

Was that enjoyable? Was it good?

[Asif Mandvi]

Well, it was great. Cause it never happened to me my whole life.

[Kristen Davis]

No way.

[Asif Mandvi]

Women never turned their heads that way, you know, when I walked down the street. So, you know, I'm not, you know, John Corbett, so. You know what I mean? Like, yes, you are.

[Kristen Davis]

You're your own.

[Asif Mandvi]

No, but. You know what I mean? So it was, like. It was, like, very.

[Kristen Davis]

But.

[Asif Mandvi]

And I wasn't even. I wasn't even like, famous or anything, you know? I mean, so I was just, like, a guy who, like, did a couple of scenes on this TV show. And it was so weird because I. That was my first moment of, like, oh, this show is like. Because I'd done Law and Order, all that stuff, you know, and all the. All the New York shows.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

But there was something about Sex and the City at that point.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, yeah. It was the height. This was the height.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And you must. You know. But, like, for me, it was like, I was just, like, this actor who was, like, on the show. And then. And literally the next day, I remember walking down the street on the Upper west side and people. And women would just, like. People would stop and be like, that's the guy. That's the guy.

[Kristen Davis]

And it was enjoyable, and it was just great.

[Asif Mandvi]

I mean, you know, look, as an actor, I'm like, oh, my God, people are famous now. So it was like. It was great.

[Kristen Davis]

That's the joy, you know, of having a success, is that you get to share it, you know, and bring great people on.

[Asif Mandvi]

Like, that's so cool. So it was great. And, you know. And so, like, it was a little taste of that. And then. And then when I got on the Daily show, there's a whole other level of.

[Kristen Davis]

And also, you were yourself on the Daily Show. Theoretically, technically, yes.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yes.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

I mean, it was like. It was a character, right. Who, you know, the guy on the Daily show is much smarter than me and has a lot of really funny writers that, you know, write for him. But. But it was. It was essentially a version of me.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Asif Mandvi]

And what was interesting about that was that people. And, you know, maybe we all experience this in some ways as actors where people think you're the character.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Asif Mandvi]

So, like, when I Would go to things. People would want me to be the snarky guy on the Daily Show.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, no.

[Asif Mandvi]

You know, like, they'd be like, well, aren't you? Oh, they would say things to me to provoke a snarky reaction. Because they were, like, wanting to engage. It was like a. They were fans.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

But they kind of wanted to. Well, it's funny. Cause I. So different things, you know, like, one night I was coming home from a party and it was very late, and it was like two in the morning or whatever. And I went into. This is not. I'm not proud of this, but I went into, like, a deli and got like. You know that sushi stuff that you get? It's like, in the deli. Like, it's not.

[Kristen Davis]

That's questionable, but sure.

[Asif Mandvi]

Probably not a great idea.

[Kristen Davis]

Right?

[Asif Mandvi]

But it was late at night. I was starving, and I, like, got. And I got. And I'm standing in line at this, like, deli to get the sushi, like. And the woman in front of me turns around and she's like, probably not a great idea to get that right now. You know? And I was so taken aback. Cause I was like. I was like, you don't know my life. But then I realized, like, oh, she recognized me from the show. I didn't realize that. Cause I was just like, in the

[Kristen Davis]

world, you're in your skin.

[Asif Mandvi]

And she's being. She's trying to engage with me. So people would do that. Or like. I went to a party at the Republican National Convention once, and there was a woman there at the party, and she was just, like, talking to me. And then she was like, say something snarky like. You know what I mean? Like. And it was like. Like, we. So there was a little bit of that where people thought I was that guy. And I was gonna have all these quips and things.

[Kristen Davis]

And understandably, because the way the Daily show presented you guys, you had your names. You weren't obviously playing a character yet. There was a heightened element.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, there was a heightened element to it. Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

Did that dissipate after the show? Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

Okay, that's good. I mean, that seems like some pressure to me.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, yeah. No, it was, you know, like, when I was on the show, it was very prevalent because it was. Because also, like, we were on the show. Like, that time when I was on with Jason and Sam and Wyatt and John Oliver and all those guys, we were. It was. Every night people watched it. It wasn't like now I watched it every night. Right. It wasn't like now where people sort of just on YouTube, right. Or, or whatever.

[Kristen Davis]

Different times.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, but it was, it was, you know, people came 11:30 every.

[Kristen Davis]

Every to laugh.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean, as we do now.

[Asif Mandvi]

I know. And so what, what happened was that people really like, it was, it was like, oh, you're, you're the guy. You know, it was important watching it in real time. And we were, we were so, so there was that feeling of like we were there in people's lives and talking about stuff that they wanted to talk about, you know. And I think for me especially, like being like I said, like the first non Caucasian correspondent, the first Muslim correspondent, the first brown correspondent on the Daily

[Kristen Davis]

Show, I did not realize that there

[Asif Mandvi]

was this huge sense of like from within my own community, like people going like, oh my God, like, like nobody has been on TV talking about that important things. But from the position of. I always thought of it like as, like I had this unique position on the show which was like I was an insider and an outsider at the same time. So I could stand on the fence and be. And talk about America as an American, but also as an immigrant and as somebody who like, lived in both of those worlds. And it was really like, you know, especially when we talked about like the Middle east or like foreign stuff or whatever world politics, people would come up to me like, and they'd be like, nobody is talking like, like it's amazing that you have. That you're on talking about. And it wasn't, it wasn't me. It was, it was the position that I of course, was representing to people, you know, and so that was really satisfying. It was really satisfying to think that, like, oh, there was a person who looked like me talking about the things that so many people out there wanted us to talk about and to satirize and to criticize, you know, and it was like 2006, I started on the Daily show. So we were in Iraq at that time. America was in the Bush administration. It was all of that stuff going on. So it was a lot of. It was very tense, you know what I mean? It was that post 9, 11 decades, which, which, which was really fraught.

[Kristen Davis]

I remember. Yeah, I remember. I mean, it's, it's. I'm not going to go into now very much, but it's interesting because when we look at now, that seems kind of tame. I know, which is so crazy. But did it feel for you to be in that position? It's great that people would, would say to you, like, it's amazing that you're there. But did it also feel scary and like pressure if you were out in the world, if people would people disagree with you and want to engage in that way?

[Asif Mandvi]

I mean, not. I don't think it's so funny how people loved the show even when they didn't agree with it. It was weird. Like when we went. One of the most like eye opening things for me was when we went to the cause. We would go to the conventions and so we go to the Democratic National Convention and we were like the Beatles. It was like. I mean, I bet when we went to the DNC in 2008, the year that Obama was on the ticket, was the nominee, was the, you know, the person. It was literally like we could not walk.

[Kristen Davis]

Wow.

[Asif Mandvi]

We were. It was the fan. Because that was our base. Yeah, that was our. Those were our fans.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Asif Mandvi]

D.C. democrats.

[Kristen Davis]

Wow. You know what I mean? Yeah, I do.

[Asif Mandvi]

And it was like all those people in journalism, all the journalists, all the Washington folks, they were watching the Daily show, of course, all the time.

[Kristen Davis]

Right?

[Asif Mandvi]

Then we went to the Republican National Convention and it was all very different. You know, the Democrats was. The Democratic National Convention was like a keg party, you know, and everyone was just like, yes, great. You know, like, I'm drinking out of a keg and Anne Hathaway is over here, you know, and it was like. And 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.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh my gosh.

[Asif Mandvi]

But when we went to the parties, I remember, like people were still fans, interesting of the show. They were like, we watch you guys all the time, blah, blah, blah. I mean, we don't agree with you, but we watch you, you know. And so it was like kind of crazy.

[Kristen Davis]

Working out. Just got reformed with your reformer. It's a gorgeous piece of furniture too. I just got one of these, you guys. It's so beautiful and it makes it so easy to do my workout. Just 20 minutes. I just hop on, hop off, get ready to go. It's amazing. Every Euroformer purchase includes access to Eureformer app, which has over 1,000 instructor led on demand workouts. You get your first three months free on the app. If you're not quite ready to invest, you can actually rent your reformer for $39 a week. That's less than the average cost of a studio class your Reformer delivers to your home within seven days across mainland USA. Visit YourReformer.com and use the code. Are you a Charlotte 200 to receive $200 off your purchase, your space, your pace, your reformer. I have to tell you guys about Hill House Home. The brand behind the viral nap dress. The one with the signature smocking is both flattering and comfortable. What I love about Hill House dresses is how versatile they are. I just got the scarlet midi nap dress and I can wear it running errands during the day and at dinner or a party that night. No outfit change required. And it's not just dresses. Hill House started with bedding in 2016 and their robes and pajamas are so soft, made from the same cotton fabric as their baby one. They also have the cutest styles for women, babies and kids, including monogrammable robes, onesies and pajamas that make the perfect gift. I love my pink dress that I just got the other day from them. It's so comfortable. I can wear it around the house and then I can run errands, I can go to lunch. It's I. It's a dream. Hill House makes fun fashion that makes you feel good, which explains why celebrities like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Anne Hathaway have been spotted wearing it. Honestly, Charlotte York would be all over this. Get 15% off your first order of a hundred dollars or [e-mail] with the code Charlotte15. Again, that's Charlotte15 for 15% [e-mail] grocery

[Charlotte York]

prices are skyrocketing, but true nature meets Beef Garnasada delivers zesty flair for under $6 per person. Juicy pre cooked with Sornoran marinade. Ready for tacos or plates. Heat in 2 minutes. Vibrant restaurant level taste at home, exceptional taste, honest value. Visit TrueNatureMeats.com code free meat for 20 off plus free New York strip, Texas Smoked Brisket and Mediterranean chicken with code freemeatrunaturemeats.com look, if we're talking self care,

[Kristen Davis]

face masks and spa days, those are non negotiables. But you know what else shouldn't be overlooked? Your eyes. If dry eye is leaving them feeling scratchy, gritty or irritated, it could be time to try something different. To be open minded. You know, consider asking your eye doctor about Mibo. That's perfluorahexalactane ophthalmic solution. It's the only prescription dry eye drop that directly targets too much tear evaporation, the number one cause of dry eye. Why wait? Take care of yourself and ask your eye doctor about treating dry eye differently with Maibo. Oh yeah, don't use if allergic to Maibo. Remove contacts before using and wait at least 30 minutes before putting them back in. Eye redness and blurred vision may occur. For more info on Mibo, call 1-800-553-5340 or visit miebo.com. All right, let's talk about the show for a minute, because since you are a straight guy.

[Asif Mandvi]

Okay.

[Kristen Davis]

I want to ask you a question. I don't know how you're gonna.

[Asif Mandvi]

Making assumptions, but. All right. No, no.

[Kristen Davis]

I mean, you mentioned your wife, which is the only. The only reason I'm saying that. Right. I would never make it a full assumption without clues. I don't have that many straight guys on, and I love.

[Asif Mandvi]

Interesting.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah. I mean, if they're actors from the show and I can convince them to be on, like, right now, I can't convince Corbett to be on, and I can't convince Eigenberg to be on. So if you run into them, please put in a good word. Okay, I will. I've tried really hard. They have their issues. Whatever. Eigenberg doesn't want to watch his work or talk about it. Corbett's a complicated being, but whatever. I'm still trying to get them, But I am so curious. Like, when you watch this show, as someone who's happily married, I'm just gonna make that assumption.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

What do you think about Aiden and Carrie? Cause I love to hear straight men's perspectives.

[Asif Mandvi]

Oh, that's so interesting. You know, give me a second here, because I haven't thought about this before, but, you know, I found that. So when the show was on and my female friends were watching it, they all loved Aiden. They all loved Aiden.

[Kristen Davis]

Got it.

[Asif Mandvi]

And not big, but they understood why she was, like.

[Kristen Davis]

Got it.

[Asif Mandvi]

Attracted to big.

[Kristen Davis]

Chasing the elusive.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yes. And, you know, that is kind of. Aiden was, you know, the guy who was dependable and reliable and all that stuff. And there were so many times in my life, like, I've. You know, over the years, all through my single years, like, the conversation that I would have. It was funny. Cause the conversation I had a lot of female. I've always had a lot of female friends. And the conversations I would have with them when they were going through relationships were always, like, kind of like that. Which was, like, there was a guy who was just reliable and stable and blah, blah, blah. And then there was this other person who, like, was on a motorcycle. Do you know what I mean?

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah, I do.

[Asif Mandvi]

And. And they would, like, end up, like, sabotaging the. You know, I do know. I mean, I have a friend who was always. She was Always like, I can't find a guy in la. There's no, you know, like that guy. And I was like, no, you know what, you need to go to Kansas. You need to go to like Oklahoma.

[Kristen Davis]

Right?

[Asif Mandvi]

Because the guy that you want is not in la.

[Kristen Davis]

Right, Right. Cause only certain people go to la. Just like certain people come to New York.

[Asif Mandvi]

Right, right. You know, like, you need to go and find a guy who like, you know, is working a real regular job and like has a thing and is just. She. No, she didn't, but she actually ended up, she actually ended up finding a really great guy.

[Kristen Davis]

Oh, thank God.

[Asif Mandvi]

So it was all, it all worked out.

[Kristen Davis]

I'm glad, I'm glad, I'm glad.

[Asif Mandvi]

But that conversation. So I think Aiden was always represented that guy who was 100% like the salt of the earth. Like just good guy, always trying to do, but. But sometimes a little clueless, like in, in a guy way, you know, like,

[Kristen Davis]

like he doesn't understand that she doesn't want a brand new laptop.

[Asif Mandvi]

Right, Right. Yes, like, exactly.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Asif Mandvi]

You know, and he's like, look what I got. And we've all been there. All like, even, you know, every guy.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

Has been there. Where it's like, I don't. What is it that you want? Like, because I'm trying to give you the thing that you want, but it seems like I can't. Everything I'm doing is disappointing you, so what is it that I need to do? And that conversation also I've had with a lot of my male friends, which is like, I don't know, I'm trying, like, I feel like I'm. But somehow like, she's just not happy with. And I think it's like, you know, it comes down to like, sort of we operate differently in terms of what we, what we need sometimes. You know, like, like the, the traditional sort of model of it is that men are always trying to fix the problem and women want us to just listen.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Asif Mandvi]

And, and you know, and, and that can. And that, and those traditional sort of male female roles are, are, are talked about a lot. But, but I'm, but we also flip. We, we're not, we're not all just in one category. You know, there are times with my wife and I where, you know, my wife is a very sort of accomplished person who like, has done a lot of things and run organizations and has been like, you know, and she said she went to law school and you know, I mean, all that stuff.

[Kristen Davis]

So. Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

So. And I'm like a creative person. Right. And so sometimes, like, I will just circle the drain in terms of my process. It depends because some of it has to do with just who you are.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Asif Mandvi]

And if one partner is like, I just need to process through this thing and like, I'm having these feelings about all this stuff. And the other one is like, well, let me, let me give you the answer. And you're like, I don't want the answer. I want to be able to like, have you listen to me process it. And sometimes that takes skill on both sides because we're speaking different languages. Sometimes, you know, or sometimes she wants me to just listen to her and not. And not try to solve it or, or judge it.

[Kristen Davis]

Right.

[Asif Mandvi]

Or. You know what I mean? Like, she just wants me to be like this thing and she's, you know, kind of just talking out loud and, and we. Yeah. You know, so I don't know. Relationships. Relationships are not easy. They're not easy. They take work every single day. I found it's much easier to be a dad than it is to be a husband.

[Kristen Davis]

Wow, that's amazing.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah.

[Kristen Davis]

That's so interesting.

[Asif Mandvi]

Well, because when you're a dad, it's like you know exactly what you have to do. You do, you just have to like, take care of this person. I mean, I'm not saying it's easy, like, okay, it's a cakewalk. I'm just saying it's clear.

[Kristen Davis]

It's more clear.

[Asif Mandvi]

It's more clear. My kid is young right now. Maybe. And it'll get, and it'll get.

[Kristen Davis]

It is gonna get more complicated.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yes.

[Kristen Davis]

How old?

[Asif Mandvi]

He's six.

[Kristen Davis]

Got it.

[Asif Mandvi]

So he's little.

[Kristen Davis]

That's fun age.

[Asif Mandvi]

He's little.

[Kristen Davis]

That's fun age.

[Asif Mandvi]

And I, and I recognize that right now is like the best dad time.

[Kristen Davis]

It's awesome. Yes, yes.

[Asif Mandvi]

My, my objectives are very clear. Like, I just keep him from walking into traffic. You know what I mean? Like, I like, like I do whatever activities he enjoys, you know, like, and his needs are very clear. And as he gets older, that's gonna change.

[Kristen Davis]

The teen is the. You know, there's a pretty big shift.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah. Although my son, who's six, has already discovered the Whatever. He's already doing that and it's sick. So I'm like, I can't imagine what he's gonna do. Get ready because he's already like, whatever, dad, whatever.

[Kristen Davis]

People tell me I have a 14 year old girl and an 8 year old boy. And people keep telling me that it's harder with girls in teen and that the boys are going to be easy in teen. And I'm like, I pray to God that that is true because my daughter's doing great. Right. I mean there's a big shift and you have to, you know, like adjust in your mind. Right. That like, okay, this is that thing where they need space. Yeah, back off. And kind of what you were talking about before too. Because I do want to fix the things, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, but you're getting to the point where they have to navigate the friendships and the things themselves. Right. You can't just. I want to be like, I'm going to call that person's mom.

[Asif Mandvi]

Yeah, I know, I know. And the instinct is there.

[Kristen Davis]

Right, Right. But you have to be like, no, I'm going to listen, I'm going to be like, okay, how did you feel? You know, like that, right? Like, like calm. I'm super calm. I'm not going to get like emotionally involved.

[Asif Mandvi]

Do you, do you find that? Because I know, like, like my son, you know, like now that he's in kindergarten, it's like he's going through like, like they're all sort of the social things happening.

[Kristen Davis]

Yeah.

[Asif Mandvi]

And kids are being mean.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes or yes, we hear about this. Yes.

[Asif Mandvi]

There's some teasing going on, even a little bit of bullying happening.

[Kristen Davis]

Let me ask you a question. Because my 8 year old boy also talks about bullying and I'm like, tell me what happened. And then he tells me what happened and in my head I'm like, see, that is not bullying. Like we know real bullying.

[Asif Mandvi]

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I mean, but you know, like there is the kind of way in which you start to realize that like clicks form and you know what I mean? And like, and like some kids and my son is, I think he's like a sensitive, creative kid. Like I was, you know, and so he's hyper reactive. And so like what happens is that like you know the kid, you know, and so, but you get, I think the difference is that because it's your child, you get like emotionally invested in a way where you're like, I'm going to call their parents 100% and you can't do it or I'm going to tell that kid 100%. Like I see the kid at school and I'm just like, little kid.

[Kristen Davis]

I know there's still kids I'm mad at from when Gemma was six, do you know what I mean? And I know their parents and I have to just be like, I'm gonna Hold it in. I'm not gonna say anything about something that happened on the playground 10 years ago. It's hard.

[Asif Mandvi]

And sometimes it's like their parents are really nice. Their parents are so sweet.

[Kristen Davis]

Yes.

[Asif Mandvi]

And their kid is a nightmare. And you're just like. You're like, your kid is making my kid's life miserable.

[Kristen Davis]

I know. It's so difficult. It's so difficult. I know you guys, this is so much fun that we are going to have to have a part two. So join us later in the week on Are you a Charlotte? You know that fantasy version of your life? The one where you wake up and the light's hitting just right and you do a 20 minute workout in your gorgeous living room and you feel like the lead in your own movie? Yeah. That's not a fantasy anymore. You can get your own Reformer. I just got one and it is so beautiful and I just love it so much and it's just right there. It makes it so easy. And you can say hello to your Reformer. It basically worked out my workout problem. I was paying for studio classes and I'd cancel half the time. The parking, the scheduling. Then I saw your Reformer and my first thought wasn't even about working out. It was wow, that's beautiful. What a beautiful piece of gorgeous furniture. And it really is you guys. Every Reformer comes with access to over 1000 instructor led workouts on the youe Reformer app, including all the tools and accessories. Your first three months on the app are free and you've got expert LED classes. Whether you're a day one beginner or a post work decompressor, they deliver across mainland USA within seven days. Just go to your reformer.com hey your reformer. Thanks for working out my workout problem. Use the code are youasharlotte200 for $200 off your [e-mail] your space, your pace, your Reformer. I have to tell you guys about Hill House Home. The brand behind the viral nap dress. The one with the signature smocking is both flattering and comfortable. What I love about Hill House dresses is how versatile they are. I just got the scarlet midi nap dress and I can wear it running errands during the day and at dinner or a party that night. No outfit change required. And it's not just dresses. Hill House started with bedding in 2016 and their robes and pajamas are so soft. Made from the same cotton fabric as their baby one. They also have the cutest styles for women, babies and kids, including monogrammable robes, onesies and pajamas that make the perfect gift. I love my pink dress that I just got the other day from them. It's so comfortable. I can wear it around the house and then I can run errands, I can go to lunch. It's I. It's a dream. Hill House makes fun fashion that makes you feel good, which explains why celebrities like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Anne Hathaway have been spotted wearing it. Honestly, Charlotte York would be all over this. Get 15% off your first order of a hundred dollars or [e-mail] with the code Charlotte15. Again, that's Charlotte15 for 15 [e-mail] taking care of yourself means taking care of your eyes too. And that gritty, irritated feeling could be dry eye. Mibo, AKA Perfluorohexalactane Ophthalmic Solution is the only prescription dry eye drop that directly targets the number one cause of dry eye too much tear evaporation. Ask your eye doctor how you can treat dry eye differently with Meibo. Oh yeah, don't use if allergic to Mibo. Remove contacts before using and wait at least 30 minutes before putting them back in. Eye redness and blurred vision may occur. For info call 1-800-553-5340 or visit miebo.com make every day feel epic in the all new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid the Palisade Hybrid is packed full of features, cutting edge tech, up to an EPA estimated 619 miles of range on select trims and class leading interior space. It's got an impressive 2.5T hybrid engine, an available class exclusive blind spot view monitor and available dash cam. This isn't just another SUV. Learn more at Hyundai USA.com call 562-314-4603 for complete details.

[Charlotte York]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.