Not an Awkward Interview: Netflix’s Awkward Copy-Paste Job? Here’s the Review

Netflix India’s Not an Awkward Interview is trying hard to be the love child of cringe comedy and celebrity culture. Still, instead, it feels like a knockoff handbag, flashy from afar but awkwardly unoriginal up close.

Comic Aishwarya Mohanraj helms this YouTube series, where she interviews stars like Mallika Sherawat, Shalini Passi, Janhvi Kapoor, and Rana Daggubati, playing up a painfully awkward persona. The problem? Many viewers and the internet are convinced the show is “borrowing” its vibe from Ziwe Fumudoh’s cult-classic talk show Ziwe.

What’s the Fuss About?

For those unfamiliar, Ziwe’s Showtime series became a cultural touchstone for its biting humour, sharp commentary, and hilariously uncomfortable interviews. The show’s AES, which included think millennial pink, dramatic pauses and exaggerated awkward, redness were as iconic as its host’s ability to leave her guests squirming with perfectly timed provocations.

Now, enter Not an Awkward Interview. The Netflix series has drawn comparisons for its similar tone, aesthetic, and format. Aishwarya Mohanraj interviews celebrities like Mallika Sherawat, Shalini Passi, Janhvi Kapoor, and Rana Daggubati with a playful mix of awkward segues and offbeat humour. But the internet quickly noticed that the show’s all-pink set and “cringe-comedy” style felt suspiciously familiar. Ziwe seemingly weighed in on the controversy with a sly “lol” on her Instagram Stories, sharing screenshots highlighting the similarities.

Is That Ziwe I Hear…in Hindi?

Ziwe’s talk show, famous for its millennial pink aesthetic and hilariously uncomfortable interviews, is a masterclass in cringe comedy. It toes the line between sharp social commentary and outright absurdity, making guests squirm in their seats while viewers laugh nervously at home.

Now, imagine seeing all that just a little more watered down on Not an Awkward Interview. Mohanraj delivers awkward silences, bizarre tangents, and exaggerated self-importance while sitting on a pink couch in a pink room. Sound familiar? Ziwe’s fans think so, and even Ziwe herself threw shade on Instagram with a cheeky “lol” when the similarities were called out online.

The Cunk Show: Same Vibe, Different Accent

It’s also worth noting that awkward comedy isn’t a new phenomenon. Shows like Between Two Ferns and Cunk on Earth have mastered this style, proving that cringe humour, when done right, can be comedy gold. However, Not an Awkward Intehaso have borrowed more than just a genre, it’s the whole aesthetic, from the forced silences to the absurd interviews, that raises questions.

A Fine Line Between Inspiration and Imitation

While it’s true that no one owns a genre or aesthetic, the glaring resemblance between Not an Awkward Interview and Ziwe raises eyebrows. It’s not just about the pink set or the awkward silences, it’s the entire package, from the tone to the pacing, that feels derivative.

If Netflix India aimed to create an Indian twist on a beloved concept, this was a chance to innovate and let Aishwarya Mohanraj’s brand of humour shine distinctly. Instead, the show risks being labelled as an uninspired replica, a move that could alienate viewers who value originality.

My Honest Opinion: A No for Me

Full disclosure: I couldn’t sit through more than one episode. The awkwardness wasn’t funny; it was just plain awkward. The humour felt overly rehearsed as if the punchlines were written weeks in advance and rehearsed in front of a mirror. It lacked the spontaneity that makes this kind of comedy thrive.

Maybe I’m not the audience Netflix targets, but I cringed more than I laughed. And trust me, I love awkward humour when it’s done right (Between Two Ferns and Cunk on Earth, I’m looking at you). But this? It felt like watching a group project where everyone copied the wrong answer.

Please don’t come after me for saying it wasn’t my cup of coffee because it was lukewarm, and I like mine piping hot.

Where’s the Spark, Netflix?

Netflix’s Not an Awkward Interview had the chance to light up the cringe comedy scene, but instead, it looks like a half-baked homage to Ziwe. For some, it might still work; people love awkward silences. But, time? It felt like that one friend who tries too hard to be quirky and just ends up uncomfortable to watch.

The lesson here? Awkward comedy hits hardest when it feels effortless. If you’re going to borrow someone’s vibe, make it your own or, reveal where the inspiration came from. A little credit never hurt anyone except maybe the awkwardness factor.

Check Out our Moment Of Silence Review Here!