Pardis Parker

Last updated

Pardis Parker
Born Sri Lanka
NationalityCanadian
Notable works and rolesMideast Minute, Uncivil, Free, Life in Pieces, Little Mosque on the Prairie, Combat Hospital, Single White Spenny, The New Yorker, The New York Times, TED
Website www.pardisparker.com

Pardis Parker is a Canadian director, writer, actor, and comedian. He's the creator and star of Comedy Central's Mideast Minute, [1] the co-creator of Uncivil, a new sitcom in development at NBC, [2] and the creator of Free, a new comedic drama in development at Amazon Prime. [3]

Contents

Career

Parker is the creator or co-creator of three series for TV and streaming.

Created by and starring Parker, Mideast Minute is a satirical news show distributed on Comedy Central's digital platform. The series satirizes U.S. propaganda efforts, particularly the Congress-funded Alhurra network, by trying to convince Middle Easterners that everything's OK in the Middle East. [1]

In writing about the show, the Jerusalem Post said Parker had a "sharp, smart tone," [4] Uproxx said Parker's "timing is impeccable," [5] and Tubefilter said Parker was "both timely and funny — a combination that works." [6]

Co-created by Parker, Uncivil is a single-cam comedy in development at NBC about a pair of friends – a prosecutor and public defender – who find that their personal squabbles spill into the courtroom and that their professional disputes follow them home. Parker executive produces with Hazy Mills Productions' Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner, as well as with Bradley Gardner and co-creator Rell Battle. Universal Television is the studio. [2]

Free is a half hour comedic drama in development at Amazon Prime. Plan B Entertainment – led by partners Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Jeremy Kleiner – is the production company. [3]

Stand-up Comedy

A six-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee [7] [8] and a finalist for Canada's Next Top Comic [9] and Bite TV's Stand Up and Bite Me, [10] Parker won British star David Baddiel's international stand-up competition [11] and previously became the first Canadian ever to book the CBS Comedy Showcase. [12]

In reviews of his live show, the Kingston Herald said that "the skill with which Pardis Parker weaved the audience through his set was impressive," that Parker was "really relaxed on stage," and that "it felt as though you were just hanging out with a really funny friend," [13] while Ottawa Life Magazine said that "his self-deprecating manner and friendly stage presence make him highly likeable." [14] The Daily Star listed Parker as one of their "Stand-up Comedians That Need Your Attention," and said they "highly recommend" [15] his act. Vulture , in selecting his stand-up clips as one of their "Best Comedy Videos of the Month" in March 2021 [16] and December 2021, [17] said that "it's amazing to see a funny comedian become a great comedian," and that Parker's "a performer who's found his comfort zone."

Parker has had multiple stand-up comedy performances broadcast on TV, radio, and the web, and he's a frequent performer at the Hollywood Improv, Hollywood Laugh Factory, and World Famous Comedy Store.

TED Talks

Parker has performed three times at TED, twice as a speaker and once as a special guest host.

He performed at the global TED Conference in Monterey, California, in August 2021. [18] His TED Talk, "I'm Tired of People Telling Me to Grind", was released in January 2022. Moda Magazine listed it as one of their "Seven TED Talks to Get You Through the Day," and said Parker's performance was both "relatable" and "hilarious." [19]

Parker performed for a second time at the global TED Conference in Vancouver, Canada, in April 2022. [20] His talk, "I'm Terrified of Wanting to be a Billionaire", was released in October 2022. In reviews of the conference, Mats Lederhausen said Parker's performance was "truly funny," [21] and Chris Duffy said Parker's set was "incredible." [22]

Parker took the stage for a third time at the global TED Conference in Vancouver, Canada, in April 2023. [23]

Acting

Parker has appeared in Life in Pieces on CBS, Combat Hospital on ABC, Little Mosque on the Prairie on CBC, Single White Spenny and Moderation Town on Showcase, Really Me on The Family Channel, and indie drama Snow.[ citation needed ]

His acting work has received acclaim from the National Screen Institute of Canada, which remarked that his "timing and body language in The Dance was exceptional," [24] from Indiewire , which complimented his "light comedic touch," [25] and from Radio Canada , which said that "he's a kind of Seth MacFarlane, someone extremely multi-talented who can write, direct, and act, and who's very convincing in his roles." [26]

Writing

Parker's writing and cartoons have been published by The New Yorker , [27] The New York Times , [28] The New York Review of Books , [29] The Los Angeles Review of Books , [30] the Chicago Sun-Times , [31] Weekly Humorist, [32] Literary Hub , [33] and McSweeney's . [34]

Bibliography

TitleTypeOriginally published inDateNotes
Offer and Counteroffercartoon The New Yorker June 23, 2020
Illegal Milkshort story The New York Review of Books November 4, 2020Subject of CBC News report. [35]
The Bear Chased Us. Then We Chased the Bear.short story The New York Times May 14, 2021
I Like My Cops Like I Like My Surgeons: Cautious, and Not Looking to Kill Meessay McSweeney's May 15, 2020
That Word Does Not Mean What You Think It Meansessay McSweeney's June 15, 2020
An Open Letter to the T&T Supermarket Clerk Who Was Told to 'Go Back to China' as Part of a Customer’s Racist Tirade in Mississauga, Ontarioessay McSweeney's July 31, 2020
An Open Letter to the National Rifle Associationessay Chicago Sun-Times July 30, 2020
Expect less.essay Chicago Sun-Times December 7, 2020
Thank God We've Come to Our Sensesessay Los Angeles Review of Books November 4, 2020
My Brain is a Snakecartoon Literary Hub February 16, 2021
MousetrapcartoonWeekly HumoristSeptember 9, 2022

Filmmaking

Parker's films and music videos, including The Dance, Afghan, and Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns, have screened at over 150 film festivals worldwide and received over 80 awards and nominations.

The Playlist called him an "up and coming talent on the Canadian film scene," [36] Film School Rejects said his work was "riotously funny, with a narrative flair that makes one hope he has a feature coming soon," [37] and CinemaSinema lauded his ability to "squeeze more heart from an 11 minute short film than many Hollywood directors can muster from feature length pictures." [38]

Filmography

Year(s)TitleDirectorWriterCast
2008 AfghanYesYesPardis Parker, Mark Little
2009 What Goes Around Comes Around (music video)YesYes
2009 Don't Turn Around (music video)YesYes
2010 Two Men, Two Cows, Two GunsYesYesJohn Dunsworth, Levi Macdougall
2010 ImplantsYesYesPardis Parker, Evany Rosen
2011 The DanceYesYesPardis Parker, Evany Rosen
2012 The TrainYesYesPardis Parker, Colin Mochrie
2013 Jash Ugly Sweater ContestNoYes Sarah Silverman, Michael Cera, Reggie Watts, Tim & Eric

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryTitleResult
2008CBC Short Film Face-OffBest FilmAfghanFinalist
2009Just for LaughsBest of Just for LaughsAfghanWon
2009ViewFinders International Film FestivalBest Short FilmAfghanWon
2010Films in BloomAudience AwardAfghanSilver
2010Moondance International Film FestivalAtlantis AwardAfghanWon
2010Twin Rivers Media FestivalAward of ExcellenceAfghanWon
2010Atlanta Philosophy Film FestivalAudience Choice AwardAfghanWon
2010Desiderata Film FestivalAudience AwardAfghan1st
2010Screaming Ant Film FestivalBest Narrative FilmAfghanWon
2010Screaming Ant Film FestivalFeatured Filmmaker AwardAfghanWon
2010Canadian Comedy AwardsBest Writing, FilmAfghanNominated
2010Canadian Comedy AwardsBest Performance by a Male, FilmAfghanNominated
2011Buttered Corn on the Cob Film FestivalJuror PickAfghanWon
2011Big Dam Film FestivalPeople's Choice AwardAfghanWon
2011Margaret River Shorts Film FestivalBest FilmAfghanFinalist
2011Imago Film Festival1–15 MinutesAfghan1st
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest ActorAfghanNominated
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest ScreenplayAfghanNominated
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest Supporting ActorAfghanNominated
2011Athens International Film FestivalBest Short NarrativeAfghan3rd
2011Creative Arts Film FestivalBest Short FilmAfghanWon
2011Creative Arts Film FestivalBest EditingAfghanWon
2011Creative Arts Film FestivalBest Sound DesignAfghanWon
2011Creative Arts Film FestivalBest Original ScoreAfghanWon
2011Creative Arts Film FestivalBest DirectorAfghanNominated
2011Creative Arts Film FestivalBest CinematographyAfghanNominated
2012Next Wave Art SalonTime Arts AwardAfghanWon
2010Twin Rivers Media FestivalBest Short DramaTwo Men, Two Cows, Two Guns2nd
2010JamFest Indie Film FestivalBest Experimental Comedy ShortTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsSilver
2010NBC Universal Short Cuts Film FestivalBest FilmTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsSemi-Finalist
2010South Dakota Film FestivalJury AwardTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2010TriMedia Film FestivalBest of the TriMedia Film FestivalTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2010Wet Your Pants Comedy Film FestivalBest Short FilmTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2010Montgomery Film FestivalBest FilmTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2010Montgomery Film FestivalBest ComedyTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2010Montgomery Film FestivalAudience AwardTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2010Canadian Comedy AwardsBest Direction, FilmTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsNominated
2011Derby City Film FestivalBest Short FilmTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsNominated
2011Griffon International Film FestivalBest ComedyTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2011Buttered Corn on the Cob Film FestivalJuror PickTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2011Lakeshorts International Film FestivalBest ComedyTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2011Tallahassee Film FestivalBest Narrative ShortTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsNominated
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest DirectorTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsNominated
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest ActorTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsNominated
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest Supporting ActorTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsNominated
2011Santa Catalina Film FestivalBest ShortTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsFinalist
2011Detroit Windsor International Film FestivalBest Short ComedyTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2011Screaming Ant Film FestivalBest Narrative FilmTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2011Screaming Ant Film FestivalFeatured Filmmaker AwardTwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2012SENE Film FestivalBest of SENETwo Men, Two Cows, Two GunsWon
2010Twin Rivers Media FestivalAward of ExcellenceDon't Turn AroundWon
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest Hip-Hop Music VideoDon't Turn AroundNominated
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalMost Creative Music VideoDon't Turn AroundNominated
2010Twin Rivers Media FestivalAward of ExcellenceWhat Goes Around Comes AroundWon
2011Rincon International Film FestivalBest Music VideoWhat Goes Around Comes AroundWon
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest DirectorWhat Goes Around Comes AroundWon
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest Rock Music VideoWhat Goes Around Comes AroundNominated
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalMost Creative Music VideoWhat Goes Around Comes AroundNominated
2011World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest CinematographyWhat Goes Around Comes AroundNominated
2012TriMedia Film FestivalBest Music VideoWhat Goes Around Comes AroundNominated
2011Margaret River Shorts Film FestivalBest FilmImplantsFinalist
2011Beloit International Film FestivalBest Short FilmImplantsFinalist
2011Playboy Imaginative Filmmakers SpotlightGrand PrizeImplantsFinalist
2011Creative Arts Film FestivalBest Dramatic Short FilmImplantsNominated
2011Creative Arts Film FestivalBest ScreenplayImplantsNominated
2011Creative Arts Film FestivalBest Sound DesignImplantsNominated
2011Creative Arts Film FestivalBest Director of PhotographyImplantsNominated
2011JamFest Indie Film FestivalBest Experimental Comedy ShortThe DanceGold
2011Carmel Art and Film FestivalBest of ShortsThe DanceWon
2011PEI International Film FestivalBest Maritime ShortThe DanceWon
2011 Film North - Huntsville International Film Festival Best Short FilmThe DanceWon
2011SNO Boston Film FestivalBest Foreign FilmmakerThe DanceWon
2011Dixie Film FestivalBest ComedyThe DanceWon
2011 Urban Mediamakers Film Festival Best International ShortThe Dance2nd
2012Big Dam Film FestivalBest of ShowThe Dance3rd
2012Imago Film FestivalAudience Choice AwardThe DanceWon
2012Buttered Corn on the Cob Film FestivalBest of the FestThe DanceWon
2012Wet Your Pants Comedy Film FestivalBest Short FilmThe DanceWon
2012World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest DirectorThe DanceNominated
2012World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest ActorThe DanceNominated
2012World Music and Independent Film FestivalBest CinematographyThe DanceNominated
2012Canadian Comedy AwardsBest Performance by a Male, FilmThe DanceNominated
2012Canadian Comedy AwardsBest Writing, FilmThe DanceNominated
2012Humanity International Film FestivalBest Local FilmThe DanceWon
2012Humanity International Film FestivalBest Canadian FilmThe DanceWon
2012Humanity International Film FestivalBest ComedyThe DanceWon
2012SENE Film FestivalBest of SENEThe DanceWon
2012Boston Comedy FestivalAudience Choice AwardThe Dance2nd
2012Forster Film FestivalCreativity AwardThe DanceWon
2013National Screen Institute of CanadaBest ComedyThe DanceWon
2012South Texas Underground Film FestivalThe Right Stuff AwardThe TrainWon
2012Urban Mediamakers Film FestivalBest Short Film Under 2 MinutesThe TrainWon

References

  1. 1 2 "News Satire Series 'Mideast Minute' Coming To Comedy Central Digital". Deadline Hollywood. November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "'Uncivil' Comedy From Rell Battle, Pardis Parker & Hazy Mills In Works At NBC". Deadline Hollywood. November 2, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Pardis Parker - About" . Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  4. "Spending a 'Mideast Minute' with Pardis Parker". The Jerusalem Post. February 18, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  5. "Comedy Central's New 'Mideast Minute' Suggests Immigrating To The U.S. Is Overrated". Uproxx. January 27, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  6. "Comedy Central's Latest Web Series Satirizes U.S.-Run News Networks In The Middle East". Tubefilter. January 31, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  7. "The Comedy Network". TheComedyNetwork.ca. October 17, 2010. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  8. "Canadian Comedy Awards website". canadiancomedy.ca. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  9. "Metro – Haligonian could be Next Top Comic". Metronews.ca. Retrieved October 20, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. Johns, Stephanie (June 13, 2011). "Pardis Parker makes finals of Stand Up & Bite Me - Art Attack". Thecoast.ca. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  11. Culture (April 5, 2010). "Which is the funniest religion?". Telegraph. London. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  12. "Next in line – The Whig Standard – Ontario, CA". Thewhig.com. October 11, 2011. Archived from the original on February 6, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  13. "Review: Pardis Parker at Absolute Comedy". The Kingston Herald. August 29, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  14. "Pardis Parker — a modern-day court jester". Ottawa Life Magazine. December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  15. "Stand-up Comedians That Need Your Attention". The Kingston Herald. September 6, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  16. "Chet Hanks, Tampons for Men, and This Month's Other Must-See Comedy Shorts". Vulture. March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  17. "Joe Rogan Chats With the Grinch, and This Month's Other Must-See Comedy Shorts". Vulture. December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  18. "Netflix CMO Bozoma Saint John, Lizzo To Topline Global TED Conference In Monterey". Deadline Hollywood. June 21, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  19. "Seven TED Talks to Get You Through the Day". Moda Magazine. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  20. "TED Talks return to Vancouver, will feature Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Al Gore and Finnish PM Sanna Marin". Global News. March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  21. "RE-UNI-TED". In Pursuit of Elevation. April 17, 2022. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  22. "A Weekend of Many Holidays". Bright Spots. April 16, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  23. "Ideas that are way, way out there: Notes on Session 4 of TED2023". TED Blog. April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  24. "NSI announces online short film fest winners". Playback Magazine. March 4, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  25. "Watch: Office Romance Blooms In Cute, Award-Winning Short Film 'The Dance'". Indiewire. January 7, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  26. "Mideast Minute seen by Rachad Antonius and Jean-Philippe Cipriani". Radio-Canada. March 27, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  27. "Pardis Parker". The New Yorker. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  28. "The Bear Chased Us. Then We Chased the Bear". The New York Times. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  29. "Pardis Parker". The New York Review of Books. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  30. "Pardis Parker". The Los Angeles Review of Books. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  31. "Pardis Parker". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  32. "Pardis Parker". Weekly Humorist. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  33. "Pardis Parker and Andrew Hamm". Literary Hub. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  34. "Pardis Parker". McSweeney's. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  35. ""How buying illegal milk on P.E.I. helped author discover cultural revelation"". CBC News. November 24, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  36. "Watch: Office Romance Blooms In Cute, Award-Winning Short Film 'The Dance'". IndieWire. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  37. "'Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns' is an Equation for a Darkly Farcical Film". Film School Rejects. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  38. "'Tallahassee Film Festival - Friday" (PDF). CinemaSinema. Retrieved January 19, 2021.

Further reading