Student stars in Yo Momma

"Yo momma is so cheap, that when she's singing the song 'Looking for a Dime,' she really is looking for a dime."

There's old school-and then there's Pak Attack. Pak Attack might be considered a cultural, hip-hop/rap, trash-talking revolution, or just an alias for Tech's own student turned improv comedian Sherezad Rehmann.

Rehmann is a fifth-year International Affairs and Modern Languages major who brought the heat on MTV's Yo Momma this past summer.

Rehmann, who works part time at the Whole World Theatre on Spring Street, was certainly in the right place at the right time when MTV came to the theater looking to cast for Yo Momma's "Best of Atlanta" series.

Yo Momma, hosted by That 70s Show's Wilmer Valderrama, is a "no-holds barred comedy competition that pit the funniest amateur trash-talkers against one another." Rehmann, who has always had an interest in comedy and has exceptional abilities in improv, managed to snag a spot to appear on the show.

After a documented interview, Rehmann received a call back and thereafter made his first episode appearance along with his mother and sister. Although he is from Norcross, he represented Dallas, Georgia and went head-to-head against other jokers from Columbia, where he won bragging rights, a cash prize of $1,000 and moved on to the next round for a chance to be named the "Best of Atlanta."

The hosts of Yo Momma look for the best trash talkers, specifically those with quickness, originality and delivery.

So what was the creative element that kept Pak Attack from packing?

Rehmann made an effort to add a new angle to the show by creating a character which represented an entire Middle Eastern culture. Despite being a first-generation American born in Atlanta, along with his two sisters and younger brother, Rehmann duped the cast and audience by speaking with a bogus Pakistani accent and wearing a turban and shawl.

"I wasn't nervous because I was confident in my material....The character let me be goofy and confident. When you can make fun of yourself, you can make fun of [other people]," Rehmann said.

He told the cast members that he was born and raised in Pakistan and moved to Atlanta to attend Tech. Rehmann represented not only South Asian cultures, but also the Tech community by sporting Buzz on the back of his turban.

"People who know the culture knew it was fake [since Pakistanis do not wear turbans]," Rehmann said.

Rehmann also reflected on the effect that his persona had on the comedians he was up against for the show.

"More [people of Indian descent] recognize me more than anything as someone stepping up from their community....I did get a lot of Slurpee, 7-11 and terrorist jokes though," Rehmann said.

Rehmann noted that while his mother was slightly upset by the presentation, MTV loved his persona.

"[My mother was upset because] some of my jokes were offensive and vulgar. [MTV] loved it because it was a different, very original approach," Rehmann said.

When asked how he calmed his nerves while stepping up to the plate, Rehmann cited his confidence and presentation as his key strengths.

"You could have the worst joke in the world as long as you sell it. It's all in the presentation. It's an amazing feeling to be able to make people laugh. It's really nerve racking...you have to be universally funny. You have to cater to different personalities and come up with a new approach and a new angle. It might not be funny, but at least it will be different," Rehmann said.

The director eventually caught on to his act. He discovered Rehmann's phony character when he asked him to move to another location and he responded in plain English. Valderrama figured Rehmann out when he met his parents and sister, who spoke perfect English and wore American clothing.

About 60 percent of the "ammunition" aired during the show is previously written and rehearsed; however, a lot of it is straight improv.

The production was shot outdoors at a warehouse downtown and "MTV made [the competitors] do stuff over and over for editing," Rehmann said.

During the second episode, "Pak Attack" thoroughly crushed Colin Peek, a tight end for the Tech football team, which helped him to win yet another $1,000 cash prize, Atlanta Hawks tickets, dinner at Geisha House and of course, a chump-off position in finals.

He proved to be a "worthy adversary," said one of Pak Attack's defeated opponents.

Rehmann collected a total of $2,700, which he used to purchase a plane ticket to Buenos Aires, and he spent the remaining money in Argentina. Although Rehmann is not determined to pursue a career in comedy or improv, because he does not believe it to be a practical, well-paying job industry, he intends to continue comedy and improv as a hobby.

The last episode of Yo Momma's "Best of Atlanta" series will air in a few weeks, but interested parties can see Pak Attack "make it hot" by reading his blogs, joining the "Pak Attack Fan Club" Facebook group or viewing full Yo Momma episodes of Pak Attack on www.myspace.com/pak_attack.