On the occasion of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, we recount Aasif Mandvi's best moments as a Daily Show senior political correspondent.
Aasif Mandvi has been analyzing and corresponding for Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart since August 2006. In the last two years, the fake news has been very good to him. Although he started out as the Middle Eastern Affairs Correspondent, Mandvi soon proved himself to be a versatile journalist, gracefully taking on roles such as Senior White House correspondent, Senior Diplomatic Analyst, Senior Media Analyst, Senior Virtual Correspondent, Senior Campaign Embedder, Senior Gaza correspondent, and Senior Armeniologist. He has acted as both Baghdad Bureau Chief and Senior Mumbai Bureau Chief, but more importantly, there was one time when he almost covered American Idol. He can currently be seen reporting on Indecision 2008 as part of the DS's The Best F**king News Team Ever.
Here is the APA Top Ten of the finest Mandvi moments in broadcast television history.
1. "Obama's Miraculous Speech"
August 28, 2008
Aasif Mandvi reports on Barack Obama's God-like acceptance speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
2. "Styx and Stones"
May 7, 2007
"I will follow Osama Bin Laden to the Gates of Hell and I will shoot him with your products," John McCain said in 2007, while speaking to workers of a small weapons factory. Aasif Mandvi goes to the Gates of Hell to assess the community's reaction.
3. "Crisis in Gaza"
June 18, 2007
Aasif Mandvi proves that civil war in Palestine is all part of America's roadmap to peace -- using old Westerns, Billy Joel lyrics, and his trusty GPS navigator as evidence.
4. "Amnesty Unintentional"
May 23, 2007
Aasif Mandvi shows that America's new immigration bill's point system comes down to one slogan: What can brown do for you?
5. "Wall or Nothing"
April 25, 2007
Aasif Mandvi reports on America's plan to construct a Sunni-Shiite security wall in Baghdad and encourages us to support new, radical ideas. "This is not a time for negativity. Let's give glasses-wearing security kittens a chance to work."
6. "Forced Perspective"
August 9, 2006
In his very first report on The Daily Show, Assif Mandvi tells us that when a country is experiencing the "birth pangs of the new Middle East" -- as Condoleezza Rice puts it -- it's not uncommon for people to explode in anticipation.
7. "Live Earth"
July 31, 2007
After reporting at the biggest event of the universe's lifetime, the Live Earth concert, Aasif Mandvi gets inspired to wear skin-tight energy conserving suits. Also, Bon Jovi and John Mayer save the world.
8. "The Sound of One Car Bombing"
July 19, 2007
Aasif Mandvi shows how two sides of one coin can prove that Buddha-loving President Bush has attained enlightenment and bodhisattva-hood.
9. "Crisis in the Chartland"
March 17, 2008
Aasif Mandvi falls out of a building.
10. "Flyover Statement"
December 4, 2006
Aasif Mandvi accuses the media for being gravity elites and not appreciating the fact that we're not all on fire.
Honorable Mention: April 9, 2008's "Patraeus Hearings"