Ain't that America, something to see baby

I spent several hours today trapped under a baby who just wanted to nurse.  For hours.  I can't remember if there's some kind of growth spurt at 2 weeks, but it sure did throw a wrench in my plans to get a bunch of stuff done around the house.

What it did allow me to do was watch a lot of TV on Hulu.com.  I finally got to check out The Mindy Project, a new show on Fox created (and starring) Mindy Kaling, who plays Kelly Kapoor on The Office.  (Which I don't watch because I find it more annoying than funny.)

I read Mindy's book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? earlier this year. I didn't expect to love it, but I did.  I've watched a lot of TV and movies in my life, and there is almost NEVER anyone who is "like me" on screen.  Sure, there was the Indian female doctor on ER and the one on Royal Pains, but both of them are British.  And they're relatively recent.  All I had before that was Apu on The Simpsons (don't get me started!).

I'm used to TV and movies having those caricature Indian roles, with the thick accents and cow-and-curry jokes.  Not that funny once you've heard them on the school bus as well.

So when I read Kaling's book, about growing up the awkward child of Indian immigrants in the US, it was like reading about my own experience.  Though she's a lot funnier and has a much more interesting career.

I cheered for her (silently, in my head, of course) when I heard she got her own show and is also the executive producer.  I held my breath as I watched the first episode today.  I wanted it not to suck, because I want her to be successful.

And it totally delivered.  It was cute and funny.  The characters are likeable.  No cow-and-curry jokes.  In the first episode, Mindy's character gets drunk and gives a horribly embarrassing toast at her ex's wedding.  Let's just say that I can relate, having dated someone who got engaged *to someone else* while we were dating.  Just to be clear, I did not go to their wedding or get arrested afterwards.  :)

What I really, really, really liked is that Mindy's character doesn't follow the typical Hollywood acceptable dating rules.  She doesn't get matched up with Indian guys, and there's no story line about some mythical arranged marriage looming in her future (because don't you know, that's the only way Indian girls find a dude.  If they exist at all.)  She speaks her mind, she has a booty call arrangement with her work colleague, and she goes on dates.  She has an American accent and not some fakey Indian accent that Hollywood makes her put on (don't talk to me about Outsourced, either!).

I watched all three episodes in a row, and was sad there weren't more.  I'm totally a fan.  Can't wait for the rest of the season!