The Business Aziz Ansari on turning bad luck into 'Good Fortune'
Oct 17, 2025
Aziz Ansari, comedian and filmmaker, shares insights from his directorial debut, Good Fortune, following the tumultuous shutdown of Being Mortal. He discusses the challenges he faced, including production delays from guild strikes and an on-set injury to Keanu Reeves. Aziz also reflects on the ethics of accepting Saudi money in Hollywood while addressing his controversial act at the Riyadh Comedy Festival. With a focus on resilience, he emphasizes his journey and the importance of reviving theatrical comedies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Sudden Shutdowns And An Editor Sprint
- Aziz described being told the Bill Murray production was repeatedly shutting down for investigations during filming.
- He and the editor spent a week editing the footage and found an hour-and-a-half cut that
Saudi Money Reshapes Hollywood Choices
- Kim and Matt observed large Saudi investments are shifting Hollywood incentives toward capital over human-rights concerns.
- They noted the kingdom's cultural bets follow broader sports and gaming investments and prompt ethical debates.
Reviving The Communal Theater Laugh
- Aziz emphasized restoring the communal theatrical comedy experience lost after the pandemic.
- He framed Good Fortune as an attempt to bring back big-room laughter and theater-going energy.
