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kyle-:

andwhenithappens:

Danny Pudi is listed as ‘Sanjay’ for the upcoming film ‘The Guilt Trip’, starring Seth Rogen, Barbra Streisand and Adam Scott. 

Stereotypes happen. I try not to embrace them or avoid them. My job is to focus on bringing characters to life in an honest and personal way. That being said, I did play three Sanjays in 2007. Yep. Three different Sanjays: one in a TV pilot, one in an independent film, and one in a cable show.*

Two ‘Sanjays’ might be a coincidence. Three ‘Sanjays’ is a flat-out trend. So what caused the ‘2007 Sanjay fever’? Was it the success of American Idol sensation ‘Sanjaya’? Possibly. Well? Yes. But what concerns me more is something deeper, something sinister revealed within this data. Maybe when people look at me all they see is a ‘Sanjay’. Like a 45-year-old woman with blonde hair, a fake tan, and long fingernails who works at a salon is probably a Debbie, am I a ‘Sanjay’?

Here are some of the words used in the casting descriptions for ‘Sanjay’: “quirky”, “mild-mannered”, “placid facade”, “virginal” and “allergic to dogs”. Dangit. These words fit me. But in Sanskrit, the word ‘Sanjay’ actually means “Victorious”, or “Conqueror”. Hmmm, “Victorious Conqueror” doesn’t exactly fit me, but my wife hopes that someday it will. Regardless of the reasons for ‘Sanjay Fever’, I have learned that a name can only reveal so much. Though people might find comfort in naming me Raj, Arash or Sanjay, I know that I can be more than a ‘Quirky Virgin’; I can also be a ‘Victorious Conqueror’ (someday). After all, my real name is Daniel, and I am named after a Polish rock star.

*I auditioned for a 4th Sanjay in 2007 but ultimately lost the role to a friend.

This is what I dread when Community is over. Joel McHale already has The Soup and is getting more and more roles in movies. Alison Brie has Mad Men and is also getting more roles in movies. Gillian Jacobs isn’t as able to get movie roles as Joel and Alison, but she’s in Finding a Friend for the End of World which could roll in other movies. Chevy Chase is Chevy Chase, he’s probably going to retire. But they’re all white, they really don’t have to worry about being typecast based on their skin. Now, for Donald Glover, he has tons of projects outside of acting, he does music and stand up and has a LOT of fans, he’s set after the show is over.

Then there’s Danny Pudi and Yvette Nicole Brown. Yvette Nicole Brown before Community was known for commercials and Drake and Josh. I fear that after this show that that she’s going to go back to commercials and being cast as the sassy Black woman. Danny Pudi was also known for commercials and being Sanjay.

They deserve so much more than the stereotypes they’re forced into to get a job and I just REALLY wish that it goes well for them after the show.

(via misty-mays)