Episode 121: Stage Names / Dyslexia

Doctor Vs Comedian

Today Ali and Asif discuss the issue of “stage names” in Hollywood (1:03). They start by discussing how the topic came up on the podcast ‘Smartless’, when Keanu Reeves discussed how he was encouraged to change his name when he was breaking into the acting industry. Then Asif asks Ali if Ali ever thought about change his name. The guys then discuss entertainers going by their middle name (ie William Bradley Pitt) as well as those that have completely made up names (ie the Weeknd, Englebert Humperdink). They then discuss entertainers who change their names – some for selfish reasons and some to avoid racism in Hollywood associated with their birth names. They also discuss performers who did not change their name, despite pressure from Hollywood. Then Ali asks Asif about dyslexia (which Keanu Reeves suffers from) (32:17). Asif discusses the definition of developmental dyslexia as well as how it is more than “reversing letters”. Asif explains how it is really a problem with ‘decoding’ and how it affects up to 7% of the population. He then discusses how it is diagnosed, diseases it is associated with, and what we think causes it. Finally, Asif discusses the treatment for dyslexia.

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Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

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Show Notes:

• Keanu Reeves- Smartless: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXQvATbfiMY
• I had to change my Arabic name to make it as an actor. Now, I'm reclaiming it: https://www.cbc.ca/arts/i-had-to-change-my-arabic-name-to-make-it-as-an-actor-now-i-m-reclaiming-it-1.6074250
• Here's Why Adam Wiles Named Himself Calvin Harris: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/news/a45441/calvin-harris-name-why/
• Jamie Foxx Changed His Name From Eric Bishop Just to Get Up at an Open Mic: https://www.vulture.com/2014/12/jamie-foxx-changed-his-name-from-eric-bishop-to-get-up-at-an-open-mic.html
• Minorities Who 'Whiten' Job Resumes Get More Interviews: https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/minorities-who-whiten-job-resumes-get-more-interviews
• Chloe Bennet was right to call out Hollywood racism but wrong to change her name: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/sep/01/chloe-bennet-right-hollywood-racism-wrong-change-name-whitewash
• Celebrities whose names sound fake but are actually real: https://www.simplemost.com/celebrities-who-use-real-names/
• 14 Celebs Who Refused To Shorten, Change, Or Anglicize Their Names For Hollywood: https://www.buzzfeed.com/kristenharris1/celebs-refused-change-names
• Developmental Dyslexia: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673612601986?casa_token=-qrfj3GJwJEAAAAA:-H5LtOGP-cDqz_3Fjx13qFWSi8tKwtZFu3etPUQGXDufBMSPnnDUAjUZRncpxo1O24RVAYV28t8
• Reading disorders and dyslexia: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5293161/