Actress Mindy Kaling recently told the Observer about her surprising secrets to success. Just now, she wrapped up a Reddit (RDDT) AMA, where she shared more interesting tidbits about herself and her work.
Fans of The Office, The Mindy Project and just Ms. Kaling herself asked over 500 questions, many of which she answered with humor, behind-the-scenes stories and embarrassing anecdotes.
Here are some of the questions and Ms. Kaling’s answers:
Jroy724: Hey Mindy! What scene from The Office was hardest to get through without laughing?
The Christmas episode where Michael asked Kevin to sit on his lap, and Steve had to pretend to be crushed under his weight. I think I’m laughing on camera.
littlebirddown: What does Ike Barinholtz smell like?
Ike smells like Chicago-style hot dogs. And cocaine. And, if we’re being totally honest, a little semen-y. (his own semen)
HannahDixon: Which Disney Princess do you think you are most like?
I am no princess. I am Ursula the Sea Witch.
curlyjew: What is the worst date you’ve ever been on?
The worst date I’ve ever been on was with a guy who I was super excited about, really attracted to, and then on the date it became apparent that it WASNT a date. He was just a straight dude who was psyched to have dinner with me in a platonic way. He talked about an actress he really wanted to date and we split the check. Thus is dating in Los Angeles.
TheresNoMonday: Who / what was your biggest inspiration for The Mindy Project?By the way, I love that damn show so much. Thank you.
Probably Pride & Prejudice and South Park? Bridget Jones a little. And of course I was inspired by the jokes-per-minute pace of The Office, since that’s where I worked for eight years.
mitchkramer: Did you cry when you watched Inside Out?
Yeah. Bing Bong kills me. I’ve seen in four times and cried each time when Bing Bong whispers to Joy: “I have a good feeling about this one.” K, I’m going to start to cry now just quoting it.
unseentides: I read that you watched The X-Files as a child in your first book, I think, so: are you excited for the revival?
Super excited. I was ADDICTED to X-Files. Their episode “Home” is the scariest hour of television I’ve ever watched. Then I saw Gillian Anderson (G-Money, as I call her) on The Fall, and man, I loved that too. So I’m really excited. I hope Mulder and Scully do it.
vwworld: In your book, you mention that your ideal dinner guest would bring you hot sauce. What is your go-to hot sauce, one which you would want to carry in your purse for emergencies?
Great question. Used to be Sambal Oelek, lately, Cholula. My writer David Stassen got me hooked.
firstdayofmylife8: How do you feel about The Mindy Project being moved to Hulu? I’m a huge fan!
The show on Hulu has let the writers and cast create the best version of it. The creative freedom has allowed us to let moments breathe that we couldn’t before, and tell stories that are closer to what I want to be telling. Craig, Mike, and our creative execs Brendan and Jessica have been terrific partners. I know saying “terrific partners” sounds like I’m a robot programmed to say lame banalities, but it’s true!
