The only way to get past all this dramatic, confusing ramblings of the world is to have a sense of humour. It’s true and we have men who have dedicated their talents into making you laugh out loud.
This Christmas season, Rocklands Entertainment will kickstart their stand-up comedy tour of Christmas Crackers in PJ Live Arts, Jaya One, on 4 Dec. Four of Malaysia’s favorite comedians are poised to provide a night of joy and laughter just in time for the festive season.
The show features Prakash Daniel, Phoon Chi Ho, Rizal van Geyzel and Andrew Netto! Hype Malaysia caught up with them for an exclusive:
Andrew Netto
Do you still remember your first show? If yes, tell us about it.
It was back in 2006,my cousin and I rounded up a couple of friends and said, “We are gonna perform stand up comedy, do you wanna come?” It was held in a bar/restaurant and about 200 people showed up. It was my first ever time, I had never been to an open mic or even seen a stand-up comedy performance live before. It went really well and all of my friends said I had a future in the business, of course I never took them seriously, but they were right, it has been an amazing journey so far.
What would you say is your biggest accomplishment as a stand up comedian so far?
Without a doubt it was opening for Russell Peters, he is my inspiration for stand-up comedy. He was the first stand-up comedian I ever watched. And also I once performed on a plane!
What do you think of the stand up comedy scene in Malaysia?
I think it is brilliant. With the introduction of The Comedy Club Kuala Lumpur, where they bring you 2 foreign comics a month, it has really exposed Malaysians to stand up comedy. Stand Up Comedy nights like One Mic Stand which is run by my fellow comedians Rizal Van Geyzel and Kavin Jay, have allowed this once unknown industry to grow by leaps and bounds.
You opened for Russell Peters when he had his show in Malaysia, what was that like?
The experience was surreal, performing in front of 8000 people and hearing them laugh at your jokes is an experience money cannot buy. Russell himself is a really great guy, he is down to earth and since then we have become friends.
Who would you say is funniest between you and the other three comedians that are set to take the stage for Christmas Crackers?
To be honest, absolutely nothing, we are all funny guys, at least we try lah! But to be honest Rizal, Chi Ho and Prakash are all very talented performers. Prakash is one of the brightest open mic performers I have ever seen. Chi Ho is a quick fire in your face comedian,with no holds barred. Rizal Van Geyzel is by far one of my favorite comics in the industry,he is witty and his material is always evolving. And all three guys are really awesome company!
Phoon Chi Ho
How did you first discover your flair for comedy?
Right after my first paid gig. I realized immediately that doing comedy is the funnest way to earn money so I read, researched and wrote so much that I started developing something people call “flair”.
What can the audience expect from you at the Christmas Crackers show?
New jokes! I love writing jokes and I try to do something new in every show that I do. Of course, I will still tell some old jokes but I promise to tell the fresher ones.
Who is your favourite comedian of all time and why?
I don’t have an all-time favourite comedian because comedians have varying styles. However, I do like the genius works of George Carlin, Mitch Hedberg, and Demetri Martin.
What is the best compliment you’ve received as a comedian?
“Chi Ho, you’re funny!” That’s the best thing anyone can say to a comedian. We don’t want to know whether you’re there at every show, bought the most expensive ticket, or stalk us on Facebook – we just want to know whether we’re funny.
Who would you say is funniest between you and the other three comedians that are set to take the stage for Christmas Crackers?
All of them are funny in different ways so I can’t really say, but on stage, we comics like to psyche ourselves up by convincing ourselves that we’re funniest or at least funnier than the previous comic.
Prakash Daniel
What inspires your jokes?
Daily life I guess, as Malaysians, we can never go wrong in getting jokes from the things that happen around us.
What are you looking forward to at the Christmas Crackers show?
This is my first tour and I am looking forward to the traveling and performing in places other than KL.
What would you say to aspiring stand up comedians?
Give your best and do not give up, end of the day if you really want to do it for the right reason it would come true.
What would you say makes a good comedian?
A good comedian for me would be the one who stand against any crowd be it 5 people to a big auditorium. This being said if you BOMB (term used by comics if the jokes didnt work) you continue with the next joke as if the earlier one didnt ever exist.
Who would you say is funniest between you and the other three comedians that are set to take the stage for Christmas Crackers?
Wow, putting me on the spot! Well I would say each of them have their strengths but the reindeer in the poster will be the funniest la I guess!
Rizal van Geyzel
Since it is the season of Christmas and the theme of the show is Christmas Crackers, will your jokes be catered more towards to the season?
Sure. Why not. Some will be a reprise with special twists while others will be about some interesting encounters I’ve had recently. but definitely there will be talk of Christmas in the tropics of Malaysia!
What is the craziest thing that has happened to you during a show?
I was accused of being disrespectful by an older lady in the audience by calling her Auntie. She then proceeded to walk out the room and yell “F**k Off”. Old and classy.
Out of all the comedians you’ve watch performed, international and local, who is your favourite and why?
My favorites are always those who’ve traveled abroad and can cater to our diverse sense of humor. There are too many to mention but anyone international or local who can cater to our diverse sense of humor has my highest respect.
If you could change one thing about the stand up comedy scene here in Malaysia, what would it be?
More exposure. There a lot of Malaysians who don’t even know what Stand-up Comedy is. The closest word in Malay that sounds most accurate is Komedi Stendap. Which is fine as it is a unique yet very western form of live entertainment.
Who would you say is funniest between you and the other three comedians that are set to take the stage for Christmas Crackers?
I’ll let the audience decide on that one.
Well there you have it!
Meanwhile, here is a chance for you to win 2 pairs of tickets to catch Christmas Crackers in PJ Live Arts, Jaya One, on 4 Dec. All you gotta do is:
1. Name the comedians featured at Christmas Crackers?
2. If you met any one of these comedians, what is the first joke you would tell them?
Send in the answers to paul@hype.my together with your NAME, NRIC and CONTACT DETAILS and you might be picked!
Hurry!