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Watch: Nasim Pedrad shows off uncanny Aziz Ansari impression in unaired SNL sketch

"The producers were always like 'Hey, what about this week you play a pretty gal?' and I was always like, 'Or, what if I play another small man?"

By Matt Bradwell

BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Despite widespread acclaim for parodying women such as Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Arianna Huffington and, most famously, Kim Kardashian West, former Saturday Night Live player Nasim Pedrad says she always loved portraying tiny men on the sketch show and regularly pushed to play Parks and Recreation star Aziz Ansari.

"I was constantly on a mission to play Aziz Ansari on the show," Pedrad said while appearing on Tuesday's episode of Conan.

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"The producers were always like 'Hey, what about this week you play a pretty gal?' and I was always like, 'Or, what if I play another small man?"

Pedrad says she was able to do her "boner eras[ing]" Ansari impression just once, as only a brief surprise appearance.

But Conan's producers were able to get footage of an unaired sketch which centered on Pedrad's portrayal of Ansari on a shopping spree.

"It doesn't even count," says Pedrad.

Despite never getting the chance to play Ansari regularly, Pedrad was able to play other notable small men including Bruno Mars and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal during her tenure at SNL.

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Starting Oct. 5, Pedrad will co-star on the new Fox sitcom Mulaney with Martin Short, Elliott Gould and comedian John Mulaney.

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