I Love Nora From Queens

And for two different reasons

Comedy Central

If you don’t know who Awkwafina is, you’ve missed out on a pop icon with substance. Ya know — the kind of twenty-something you’d be hard-pressed to find when you’re an old guy like me.

I first discovered Awkwafina (real name Nora Lum, who grew up in Forest Hills, Queens) when she appeared in “Crazy Rich Asians.” The role was small — but she stole the show as Constance Wu’s quirky Chinese friend. Then when I Googled her to find her rap “My Vag,” I was hooked. Not because she’s classically faux hot with a totally fake body a la Cardi or Nicki. It’s that she’s real — and funny — and appealing.

All this crap about her cultural appropriation is just that. The girl is experiencing backlash for her “blaccent.” Hey! While we’re at it, let’s cancel every comedian who does impersonations. Fucking stupid. Anybody ever heard the expression “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?”

Ok, enough of that. So, as I’ve said, I love Nora From Queens, which is Awkwa’s Comedy Central hit. Really, it’s not all that terrific. But here’s what put me over the top on the show:

A few years ago, I took my laundry to the First Avenue laundromat (I live in NYC) near closing time. Yes, my building has washers and dryers. But at the time (before they were replaced), the machines…