The Treatment

Aziz Ansari is currently wrapping up his “Hypothetical” comedy tour with a final stop at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey on October 29. In addition to his decades as a standup, Ansari also created and starred in the Netflix dramedy 'Master of None,' for which he won two Emmys for writing. For his treat, Ansari cites a 1996 French film as an inspiration for the series.

Sacha Baron Cohen’s hilarious and provocative characters defy categorization. He created and starred in 'Da Ali G Show,' where his characters Borat, Brüno, and Ali G, the clueless TV host, were born. He wrote and starred in 'Ali G Indahouse' and his mockumentary films 'Borat' and 'Brüno.' Cohen also has an impressive resume of dramatic roles, including 'The Trial of the Chicago 7,' for which he received an Oscar nomination, and the 2024 Apple TV series 'Disclaimer.' However, his latest brings him back to the beginning — 'Ali G: Who Iz I?,' a new film which he wrote, directed, and stars in.

Cohen tells The Treatment how he involves the audience in creating his characters, why having a camera pointed at you can make you do crazy things, and he explains why Monty Python was such a huge inspiration to him.

Jarvis Cocker was at the forefront of the ‘90s British rock scene as the founder and frontman of the group Pulp. He’s now featured in a new documentary Pulp: What Do You Do for an Encore?, directed by Garth Jennings, streaming on MUBI. For Cocker’s treat, he recommends a surrealist novel that is also a meditation on creativity.

In the past decade, comedian Aziz Ansari has proven himself to be a true multi-hyphenate. After finishing up his run as Tom Haverford on the comedy series 'Parks and Recreation,' Ansari created and starred in the Netflix series 'Master of None,' for which he won two Emmys and a Golden Globe. He directed his first feature, 2025’s 'Good Fortune,' starring Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogan. And he has continued touring, putting out comedy specials, including 'Aziz Ansari: Right Now' and 'Buried Alive.' He continues to hone his standup chops on his latest 'Hypothetical Tour,' which will be filmed for a Netflix special on October 29 in New Brunswick, New Jersey at the State Theater.

Ansari shares why he’s talking more about his aging parents in his comedy; how it felt to direct his first feature film, and how the television industry has changed since 'Master of None' premiered.

Director Destin Daniel Cretton’s summer blockbuster, 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' takes on the Marvel Universe through the lens of family, lost and perhaps found. For his treat, Cretton recommends a book that connected him to a close relative just before he passed away.