Aziz Ansari is a funny dude I first discovered when he used to do a show called Crash Test at the UCB theater in New York. The guy had a “Shittiest Mix Tape Challenge” where he challenged his roommate to make the shittiest mix tape possible. The loser had to walk around New York with a boom box blasting the horribleness. Aziz lost and the video was hilarious.

Since then, Ansari has scored himself a part in NBC’s Parks & Recreation and a part in Judd Apatow’s Funny People, where he plays a comedian named Randy who performs by hopping around, spitting catch-phrases and using samples from a DJ.

Funny People has been virally promoting itself around the web (American readers can, and should, check out faux-sitcom Yo Teach! on Hulu), and Raaaaaaaandy made his web debut on LaughYourDickOff.com where you can see some of Randy’s stand up, play with a sound board and read about his jumping.

Funny Or Die has now uploaded the first part in a documentary about Randy in promotion of Funny People at the end of the month.

It’s been four years since The 40 Year Old Virgin had everyone talking about the return of the R-rated comedy. Two years ago, I accidentally took a date to Knocked Up, not expecting to actually have a conversation about my personal habits that didn’t make me “father material.” Judd Apatow has since spawned comedies from Seth Rogan and Jason Segel, bringing the term “bromance” to the forefront the modern adult comedy cinema vernacular.

And all it took was Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox story for people to start doubting, those doubters and their doubting doubts.

Well, doubt no more, because Apatow is back and in a decision that threw me at first, he’s brought Adam Sandler back with him. Yes, Adam Sandler, who I swore off after I Pronounce You Chuck And Larry turned out to be the most offensive and pointless thing I’ve seen in theaters in all my years of film-going. Don’t Mess With The Zohan wasn’t my cup of tea, but it was the first Sandler project that Apatow’s name popped up on (Judd got a writing credit).

Now, we have Funny People, Apatow’s directorial follow up to Knocked Up. It’s described thusly: When seasoned comedian George Simmons (Sandler) learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship cause him to take a relatively green performer (Rogen) under his wing as his opening act.

That doesn’t even mention that Jonah Hill, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, RZA, Aziz Ansari, Jason Schwartzman, and some comedians appearing as themselves (Sarah Silverman, Andy Dick) will be appearing to bring their funny.

To me, the Red Band trailer manages to be funny while keeping the subtle undertones of the mortality drama this flick could have become. Did it work for you as well?