For The Mindy Project (and upcoming movie Sisters) star Ike Barinholtz, he had a more hilarious take on the surprises of parenthood: "I had no idea my 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter would know Algebra 2! She's a genius! But no, really, she's taught me patience, and that days when she strongly prefers mama to dada, to not take it personally. I know when she's 8 or 9, it's going to be all about me!"
Barinholtz came out to support Universal Television president, Bela Bajaria, who received the Inspiring Woman of the Year award, presented by Mindy Kaling. In a testament to how beloved Bajaria is, Kaling hopped on a plane immediately after taping The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon in New York to make it in time for the late-morning event in Los Angeles: "I go to a lot of charitable events, but this one was so important to me for two reasons: 1) Because Bela is so instrumental to my career and 2) Because I really do adore March of Dimes and what they stand for. Bela is such a caring person, has three kids, runs a studio, and also is involved in so many different organizations, which kind of puts me to shame, but I'm here to celebrate her!"
Bajaria expressed her thanks to Kaling after the event and to the March of Dimes for the "amazing honor." The woman behind such hit shows as The Mindy Project, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Parks and Rec (just to name a few!) told Glamour that "to be honored for being an exec and a dedicated mom and someone who does community things is rewarding. Those are the three most important aspects of my life!"
Speaking of The Mindy Project, both Bajaria and Kaling are ecstatic that viewers will get to see the mid-season finale, airing on Hulu, this Tuesday. "I'm so proud of it," said Kaling. "It's so funny and has so much emotion in it." In fact, in a letter to journalists, Kaling said the mid-season finale is one of the finest episodes in the history of TMP. "Being on Hulu has allowed me to make the show I've always wanted to make," gushed Kaling.