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Hershal Pandya

@hershalpandya.bsky.social
400 followers 146 following 272 posts

I write about comedy for Vulture.

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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I love working on Vulture's annual list of Comedians You Should and Will Know, because comedians deserve to be introduced as artists rather than "content creators" you scroll through on Reels. Here are 19 of them deserving of your attention! www.vulture.com/article/best...
vulture.com
The Comedians You Should and Will Know of 2026
We surveyed more than 200 industry insiders to determine these 19 comedy stars of tomorrow.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I love working on Vulture's annual list of Comedians You Should and Will Know, because comedians deserve to be introduced as artists rather than "content creators" you scroll through on Reels. Here are 19 of them deserving of your attention! www.vulture.com/article/best...
vulture.com
The Comedians You Should and Will Know of 2026
We surveyed more than 200 industry insiders to determine these 19 comedy stars of tomorrow.
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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
New York Magazine @nymag.com · 21/09/2026
After polling over 200 comedy-scene experts, we came away with dozens of comedians at the top of their game Meet the 19 stars on Vulture’s 12th annual list of Comedians You Should and Will Know.
vulture.com
The Comedians You Should and Will Know of 2026
We surveyed more than 200 industry insiders to determine these 19 comedy stars of tomorrow.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Just went through the humiliating experience of trying to meditate with a Drake song stuck in my head. Literally the melody of "Don't Worry" interjecting itself over and over while I tried to chant Sanskrit mantras in my head.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
"If you're not paying for the product, you are the product" is an expression about people who don't rinse their dishes before they go in the dishwasher. I don't know what this means really, but doesn't it sound like it almost makes sense?
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Can't think of a professional accomplishment that would feel nearly as gratifying as being a barista in charge of the music at the cafe and having one of the customers come up to you to ask "What song is this?"
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The thing I'm best at in the whole world is arguing myself out of having an opinion. It's like I'm at an endless debate meet where I am captain of the debate team, but I'm also captain of my opponent's debate team, and despite being on both teams I always lose. EVEN THOUGH I'M ALSO THE JUDGE.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Nothing makes me reassess everything about myself as quickly as when I go to ring someone's doorbell and I see that it's a Ring camera. That feeling of being perceived 30 seconds before I was expecting to be perceived really throws me off my game.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
You know those 4DX movies, where the chair moves and people get hit in the face with jets of water? I talked to the people responsible for designing the 4DX effects about how they do it, and one particularly funny note they got from Paul Thomas Anderson. Link: www.vulture.com/article/meet...
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
There's a cool class of Arab comics in New York who are answering the question: "What does 'post-representation' and 'post-post-9/11' comedy look?" I wrote about them here. www.vulture.com/article/arab...
vulture.com
Who’s Laughing Now?
The comedians redefining the Arab joke with cheeky irreverence.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
When someone has an accent in their name and I am careful to include the accent when I type their name in an email, I don't do it expecting thanks or anything. But there is a very small part of me that thinks they'll me more amenable to whatever my email ask is.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
I don't mean to kick up a fuss about this, but I'm not convinced we needed both Bro Bible and Lad Bible. I think we could have trusted either the Bros or the Lads to pick it up from context clues.
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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
Karen K. Ho @karenho.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
I enjoyed this interview with Jake Johnson: www.vulture.com/article/jake...
vulture.com
Don’t Ask Jake Johnson to Be Your Commencement Speaker
He’s still dealing with nightmares about not graduating.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Had a great time walking Jake Johnson through Vulture's Maria Bamford Questionnaire: www.vulture.com/article/jake...
vulture.com
Don’t Ask Jake Johnson to Be Your Commencement Speaker
He’s still dealing with nightmares about not graduating.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Tried to contend with the new Louis special in this month's column, as well as four other specials that weren't quite as much of an, um, dilemma. www.vulture.com/article/new-...
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
As a subject for the Maria Bamford Questionnaire, Johnny Knoxville very much did not disappoint. www.vulture.com/article/john...
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Spoke to a group indie directors about the uphill battle that is trying to make a living as a filmmaker. Thank you to everyone who spoke to me for their refreshing candor. www.vulture.com/article/indi...
vulture.com
The Unglamorous Financial Realities of 5 Indie Filmmakers
“You’re not going to make money. And if you do, you’re one in a million.”
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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
Eric Vilas-Boas @ericvb.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
“I’m six months out from bankruptcy at any one moment.” great (depressing) feature by @hershalpandya.bsky.social on how five indie filmmakers pay the bills www.vulture.com/article/indi...
vulture.com
The Unglamorous Financial Realities of 5 Indie Filmmakers
“You’re not going to make money. And if you do, you’re one in a million.”
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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
Vulture @vulture.com · 16/06/2026
When Chiki Uno showed up to set for Nike’s Knicks ad, he assumed he was there as an extra. ‘I’m like, ‘You’re not putting makeup over my tattoos. I’m an extra. What do you care?’ And they’re like, ‘Haha, you think you’re an extra? That’s so sweet.’’
vulture.com
The Star of Nike’s Knicks Ad Isn’t Rushing to Fix His Tooth
When Chiki Uno showed up to set for Nike’s Knicks ad, he assumed he was there as an extra. ‘I’m like, ‘You’re not putting makeup over my tattoos. I’m an extra. What do you care?’ And they’re like, ‘Haha, you think you’re an extra? That’s so sweet.’’
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Had a nice chat with Chiki Uno, the star of the Josh Safdie Nike ad that ran after the Knicks won. He sprained his ankle and wrist filming it. www.vulture.com/article/new-...
vulture.com
The Star of Nike’s Knicks Ad Isn’t Rushing to Fix His Tooth
“I’m getting free drinks, they won’t let me pay for water, free chips at the bodega.”
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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
There are at least six moments in this Tony Hinchcliffe Netflix special that I cannot, for the life of me, understand how they made the final edit. I wrote about it here. www.vulture.com/article/tony...
vulture.com
Oof, What a Mess
Tony Hinchcliffe’s Netflix special isn’t bad because it’s offensive. It’s bad because it’s incompetent.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
There are at least six moments in this Tony Hinchcliffe Netflix special that I cannot, for the life of me, understand how they made the final edit. I wrote about it here. www.vulture.com/article/tony...
vulture.com
Oof, What a Mess
Tony Hinchcliffe’s Netflix special isn’t bad because it’s offensive. It’s bad because it’s incompetent.
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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I interviewed Xav, Justin Trudeau's R&B singer son, and I will forever kick myself for not asking him to provide one other plausible interpretation to this lyric: www.vulture.com/article/xav-...
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I interviewed Xav, Justin Trudeau's R&B singer son, and I will forever kick myself for not asking him to provide one other plausible interpretation to this lyric: www.vulture.com/article/xav-...
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
It's Monday morning. Why not procrastinate your email backlog by watching some comedy? Wrote about five comedy specials from May worth your time. www.vulture.com/article/new-...
vulture.com
5 New Comedy Specials You Should Definitely Watch (When You Have a Moment)
Looking for some stand-up recommendations? Here are some recent releases that are worth your attention.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
I wrote about Drake being a master of modern propaganda, for better or for worse: www.vulture.com/article/drak...
vulture.com
Drake Is Flooding the Zone
In releasing three new albums, 42 songs, and 14 music videos in a day, the rapper is borrowing from the MAGA playbook.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Chatted with Ron Taylor about winning Funny AF. Couldn't have happened to a nicer or more deserving guy. www.vulture.com/article/ron-...
vulture.com
Ron Taylor Was Ready for Everything Except Winning Funny AF
“Everybody’s like, ‘Oh, man, I always knew!’ I’m like, ‘That’s crazy, because I didn’t!’”
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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
Black Intellect Media @blackintellect.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Here’s What Stands in the Way of the Paramount-WBD Merger. Reporting by @hershalpandya.bsky.social www.vulture.com/article/para...
vulture.com
Here’s What Stands in the Way of the Paramount-WBD Merger
It’s not much. But according to two experts, there are still some hurdles left.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
April was a really great month for comedy specials. Come for the recommendations. Stay for my tirade against the idea that comedy is "funny because it's true." www.vulture.com/article/new-...
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
I don't know much about the human body, but I don't think it's supposed to enter full blown fight or flight panic mode at the sight of a 2FA app code that is about to expire.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
There was never much chance of the Malcolm in the Middle reboot being artistically vital, but at just four episodes long, it's pleasant enough. I wrote about it here. www.vulture.com/article/malc...
vulture.com
There’s No Reason for the New Malcolm in the Middle to Exist
But it still occasionally echoes the original series’ comedic strengths.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
I wish I'd never learned the word "feckless."
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
There are so many comedy specials. So, so, so many comedy specials. Excited to be working on this recurring column with @jessedavidfox.bsky.social to recommend the ones most worth your time. www.vulture.com/article/new-...
vulture.com
9 New Comedy Specials You Should Definitely Watch (When You Have a Moment)
Looking for some stand-up recommendations? Here are some recent releases that are worth your attention.
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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
It's Friday, so a couple of colleagues and I decided to cosplay casting directors and put together a perfect, unimpeachable cast for a hypothetical season of 'Last One Laughing: U.S.' www.vulture.com/article/drea...
vulture.com
Dream-Casting an American Version of Last One Laughing
We begrudgingly accept keeping Jimmy Carr.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
It's Friday, so a couple of colleagues and I decided to cosplay casting directors and put together a perfect, unimpeachable cast for a hypothetical season of 'Last One Laughing: U.S.' www.vulture.com/article/drea...
vulture.com
Dream-Casting an American Version of Last One Laughing
We begrudgingly accept keeping Jimmy Carr.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
I got asked to blog this news, to which I asked "do I have to do so neutrally?" to which my editors mercifully said "no." <3 www.vulture.com/article/bill...
vulture.com
Prepare for Unbearable Levels of Smugness
Bill Maher will be the final recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor before the Trump Kennedy Center closes for two years.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
For a man as famous as he is, Daniel Radcliffe has no reason to be so cool and down to earth. Had a great time running him through the Maria Bamford Questionnaire for Vulture. (Also thank you to my editors for allowing me to realize this elder millennial normie goal.) www.vulture.com/article/dani...
vulture.com
Daniel Radcliffe Wishes He Played an NBC Page on 30 Rock
And that he could warn his younger self about the dangers of a long autograph.
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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
Joe Reid @joereid.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
This whole thing is fantastic, and I'm not just saying that because Dan Rad and I both love the cheeseburger empanadas at Empanada Mama bsky.app/profile/nyma...
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
SNL UK should not be for the American gaze. I wrote about it here: www.vulture.com/article/satu...
vulture.com
Saturday Night Live U.K. Should Be More British
The premiere episode of the adaptation was a mixed bag that replicated the original’s format and sensibilities to a fault.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Had the absolute pleasure of contributing to this behemoth of a ranking with my colleagues. Did I do irreparable damage to my brain by re-watching so many Adult Swim shows in rapid succession? Only time will tell. www.vulture.com/article/best...
vulture.com
Every Adult Swim Series, Ranked
A deep dive into the iconic late-night block that shaped the tastes of a bleary-eyed, post-ironic generation of comedy fans.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
As a fan of "A Black Lady Sketch Show," I was thrilled to see Ashley Nicole Black in the cold-open at the Oscars. I talked to her about what it was like to OPEN THE SHOW. www.vulture.com/article/ashl...
vulture.com
Ashley Nicole Black Was Proud to Bat Leadoff at the Oscars
“It was one of the better surprise calls of my life!”
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Roy's monologue is truly incredible. Here's the post: www.vulture.com/article/ever...
vulture.com
The 2026 Awards Season in Opening Monologues
From Trevor Noah’s Grammys dig at Nicki Minaj to Roy Wood Jr.’s banger performance at the WGA Awards.
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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
New York Magazine @nymag.com · 13/03/2026
“What we witnessed on Saturday in Tehran may be the largest release of petrochemical toxins over a civilian population since the Iran-Iraq War,” Narges Bajoghli writes. To see this as collateral damage, “requires accepting that 9 million people’s lungs are an acceptable externality of war.”
nymag.com
All Modern Warfare Is Chemical Warfare
What we witnessed on Saturday in Tehran may be the largest release of petrochemical toxins over a civilian population since the Iran-Iraq War.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
I had a great time watching "Strip Law" on Netflix. At various points, it reminded me of "Community," "30 Rock," and "Bojack Horseman." I think you should also watch it, and I wrote about its incredible finale here. www.vulture.com/article/stri...
vulture.com
Strip Law Strips Other Law Shows for Parts
The animated legal sitcom ends its debut season by becoming an entirely different show — and simultaneously the best version of itself.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
I had a great time watching "Strip Law" on Netflix. At various points, it reminded me of "Community," "30 Rock," and "Bojack Horseman." I think you should also watch it, and I wrote about its incredible finale here. www.vulture.com/article/stri...
vulture.com
Strip Law Strips Other Law Shows for Parts
The animated legal sitcom ends its debut season by becoming an entirely different show — and simultaneously the best version of itself.
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Reposted by Hershal Pandya
Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
I met the first person in history who said "enjoy the journey not the destination," and I told them about consuming media at 1.5x speed and they were like, "Okay, you're right, this is better."
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Had a nice chat with Kit Harington about the season finale of Industry. www.vulture.com/article/indu...
vulture.com
Industry’s Kit Harington on Henry Muck’s Twisted Moral Code
No matter how spectacularly he fails, he’ll never run away from his title — or stop loving Yasmin.
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
I met the first person in history who said "enjoy the journey not the destination," and I told them about consuming media at 1.5x speed and they were like, "Okay, you're right, this is better."
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Folks, Jelly Roll missed his deadline to share his political opinions! We must continue holding his feet to the fire! www.vulture.com/article/jell...
vulture.com
Jelly Roll Missed His Deadline
The country-music superstar failed to deliver on his post-Grammys promise to share his political opinions “in the next week.”
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Hershal Pandya @hershalpandya.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
The nice thing about Google's A.I. search results is that every single Google result now feels like when I'd search "Snoop Dogg Net Worth" in 2016, and it'd pull up a completely fictional number from "celebritynetworth. com" and I'd just take it at face value.
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