Watch this when
The Half Hour: Aparna Nancherla
Anxiety, depression, and the unique shame of dropping your pills in public. Half an hour of feeling seen. 💊 #AparnaNancherla
Who it's for
Nancherla talks about her own depression and anxiety in a flat, matter-of-fact style, which treats them as ordinary facts of life rather than drama; that can feel validating for viewers who are tired of either stigma or inspirational framing.
Feelings it meets
What it is
Aparna Nancherla's episode of Comedy Central's stand-up showcase The Half Hour aired on September 9, 2016. In a flat, understated, conversational style, she opens with a joke about dropping pills and looking like a human red flag while picking them up, then moves through catcalling and the rise of clickbait listicles. The set ends with a long story about a disastrous date.
Where to find it
Comedy Central, The Half Hour (aired Sept 9, 2016); full special posted on Comedy Central's YouTube and Facebook. Streaming availability rotates; check JustWatch.
Before you start
Heads up: Depression and anxiety discussed.
Age: Not verified (suggested 14+)
I felt a funeral in my brain, And mourners, to and fro, Kept treading, treading, till it seemed That sense was breaking through.Emily Dickinson, Poems by Emily Dickinson, Three Series
