31. Put Down Your Fork and Laugh with Jacky Ng

WEBVTT
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We love the racist jokes.
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These are the jokes that
people tell in the coffee shop.
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These are the jokes we tell
in school to one another.
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They tell me they like, like my standup.
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That just means so much more to me than
it could so many play a character or,
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or TikTok or whatever it feel like.
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I would like to get to a point
where the people will wanna
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see me for 10, 20 minutes.
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And they can put down everything
they're doing and just watch me.
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Welcome to, Before We Get There, the
podcast where we explore people's
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journeys, how they got to where they
are, what keeps them pushing forward,
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and where they eventually want to get to.
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I'm your host, Nicholas Braman.
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And today I'm joined by Jacky Ng.
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Jacky is a Singaporean standup
comedian who has performed across
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Southeast Asia, including at the
Melbourne Comedy Festival and has
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specials out on YouTube and Spotify.
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We talked about how he decided
he could make it as a comedian,
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his joke writing process.
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What he thinks about hecklers,
the next stage he'd like to
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perform on and much more.
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Enjoy the show.
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Hey Jacky, thanks for joining me today.
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Hey, thanks for having me.
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Yeah,
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yeah, it's great to see you.
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So what I wanted to start off
with was, you've been doing
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comedy for a long time now.
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I've seen some of your recent
stuff and your older stuff.
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Personally, how do you feel you've
improved at standup over the years?
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I think I'm definitely more confident.
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Not that I. I was, and I've always
been pretty comfortable on stage, but
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just the amount of experience I've
had now performing in different places
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to different audiences, that gives me
just more confidence going up on stage.
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You still feel a bit nervousness, but
I feel like I am well equipped to, to
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take on any crowds that come by rain.
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So is there no nervousness at all or, or.
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Does it depend on how the size of the
crowd or if you're doing well or not?
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There's definitely nervousness because
it's life entertainment, right?
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Like you never know anything
can go wrong anytime.
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And uh, people have said to me before
then, if you don't feel any type of
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nervousness going up on stage and you
probably don't care anymore and there's
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not a good place to be so nervous
because you want the night to go,
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you want to do as good as you can do.
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Um.
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So there, there is always nervousness,
but I'm just know that I've come
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across really tough crowds and I've
been able to win them over and do
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well, even on really tough nights.
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So there, there is that confidence
that I have the skillset required
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to, to perform well on it.
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Like
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do you have any good bombing stories?
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Like when was the worst
bombing you ever had?
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Yeah,
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the one I can remember.
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Most vividly is last year at
the Perth Fringe festival.
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It was literally on the very last
night of the festival, so it was
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pretty much, it's like a, there
was literally no more sticks.
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Everything's done.
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I literally heading to the airport right
after this gig, but the crowd was just
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not feeling the arrow away like they were.
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There was a good number
of people in there.
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I think it was like, what, 30 people?
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There's none of the jokes were.
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The jokes that were working throughout
the festival, the jokes that we had
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been working on the whole festival and
that were getting better and they were
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working just on the very last night.
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It was my very last show.
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I dunno why the crowds did not work
and it didn't like the show was
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just flat from every performer.
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And then there was one more guy
that was gonna, or maybe two more
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guys, they were gonna go after me.
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And then the media I faced
myself was I, this is the worst
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show of this festival I've had.
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Right?
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So I'm just going to go to the airport
now, and I had my luggage with me.
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Left.
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Uh, when I got to the airport
though, like one of the other comics
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at the show messaged me, Blake,
our guys that's closing the show
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is actually crushing really hard.
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So yeah, that, that was pretty
looking forward to being back again.
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See, they come back
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and so what's that feeling like when
you're up on stage and it's just
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quiet, you're not getting the laughs
that you expect or that you want?
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Like if it was me, I can imagine I'd just
wanna throw the microphone and run away.
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Yeah.
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I think it is part and parcel of the job.
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It's gonna happen sometimes.
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Um, you gotta make sure you do your best.
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You have your jokes that you, you
prepared, you try and talk to the crowd.
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Like there are all of these
things that you can do.
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Crowds not worried.
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The crowds not, but I think maybe a
few years ago, uh, a big bad bomb like
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that might have really crushed me.
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But I think nowadays, like I remind
myself that it comes with the territory
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of trying to become a and yeah, like.
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You just have to live with it and
try to not let it happen again.
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So does it weigh on your mind afterwards
or are you like trying to see what
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you could have done differently
or are you like, no, that was just
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timing or the crowd and there's
nothing I could have done about it?
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It definitely weighs on my mind.
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I think about it for a bit, but you
can only think about it so much.
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There's really nothing it the show's over.
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You can look back at the clips, try
to find out what you did wrong or
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what you could have done better.
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But then like when it's time for
the next show, then you start.
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Working on the next show and make
sure this show now doesn't suck.
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Like the one before.
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Yeah.
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Yeah.
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Actually, I know you got started
doing comedy because you were
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friends with Fakkah Fuzz.
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Yeah.
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And he brought you into the fold.
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It's funny 'cause I do Jiujitsu,
which Fuzz is really into, and
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so I actually had a competition
against him like six years ago and I
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didn't know who he was at the time.
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We were both white belt,
like pretty new to Jiujitsu.
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And we both had Brazilian coaches, so we
had our match like sweating and fighting,
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and it was very equal the whole time.
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And then at the end, they raised his
hand as a winner, and both of our
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coaches started like yelling at each
other Portuguese and fighting with
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the ref and saying, no, my guy won.
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My guy won.
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So it was really funny.
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I reached out to him after
I found out who he was.
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But he's a super nice guy.
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He is.
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And so at the beginning, like how.
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Was it hard to get started
and go up for the first time?
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Or because you knew him, like you
had somebody on your side there?
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What was that like?
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Yeah, I, I feel incredibly
fortunate that he was my gateway.
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Like I met him and I was like,
I've always wanted to do it.
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I never knew how to do it, but when I
met him and it that represented, so this
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is your opportunity to go and do it.
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And even then I was still pretty scared.
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Um, I knew him because I was working
as a PA at MediaCorp, and I was his
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PA for the SG 50 show, 50 Singapore.
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It was really only on my very last
week of that job before I had to
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go into the army that I told myself
like, the door is right there.
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It might not be open.
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It's really up to me to go
and open that door myself.
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And then, so I reached out to him and I
was like, how do I go about doing this?
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He was, it was quite funny because
it was also like right after
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inviting me to go watch a show,
there was some other comics that just
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weren't doing that great on stage.
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And so it's it, and then when I look
at them, I'm like, this guy can do it.
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And he, if he's not crushing,
he not really doing that and I
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should be able to try it out.
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Uh, and then I asked Fuzz,
um, and then he was like.
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You now that you ask me, I could put you
on that show that you just came and watch.
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And that would bit easier for
him 'cause it was his show.
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But he directed me to a weekly open mind.
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It's called Talk Cock Comedy
back then happening every
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Wednesday at the Blue Jazz.
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It's no longer around.
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But as he, so he signed
me up for the Open Mike.
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He met me the night before the
open mic to go through some
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of the bits that I've written.
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Went through them, gave me some
pointers, gave me some new punches,
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try out, and it was very nice to.
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Request to host the night that
I was gonna go on just so he can
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be the guy to bring me on stage.
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And that really helped make me
more confident, uh, comfortable.
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And yeah, I had a few friends come to
watch that night as well and that's
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always helpful if you are feeling scared.
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But after a while, like I had had comics,
tell me, really, it's great that you
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have friends coming and the bookers love
it, that you have, you can bring four
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or five people down to watch every time.
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Some of the pro comings
wouldn't be able to do that.
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But if you really wanna get better,
then you, you should really catch
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yourself in front of a colleague,
don't know who you are, as opposed to
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people that are gonna laugh and chill
for you, don't matter what you said.
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So that was quite a, yeah,
it was a cool experience.
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And, and then after that I had to go
into the army, so I couldn't perform,
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but BNT and then luckily I got to a
unit that allowed me to stay out at it.
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Go out to open mic at
night, go back and check.
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Yeah, it's interesting 'cause there's
no real way to practice your craft
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except standing up there and doing it.
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Like you can write or, or anything.
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But if you're not actually seeing the
audience's reaction, it's you're not
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getting that feedback that you need.
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Yeah.
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That's the thing about standout and
I think the open way is the practice
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and I think sometimes people.
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They see every opportunity to go on
stage as like an opportunity to kill and
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impress and, but I think over time you
should try and realize that there are
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different shows for different reasons.
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If you're going to go to an open mind
where people are trying on the new
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jokes, trying on new tags, working
on new stuff, and then you go to the
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that open mind and then you just do
the best material we've had worked on
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for the past five years and then you
are the funniest now of the night.
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What's the point?
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Like the open mic is there for you
to practice, literally practice the
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set you wanna do for a big show,
work on new stuff, you know, so
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that it's, it's weird in the sense
that is the practice, the open mic.
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It's not like any other kind of form
where you can lead, tie in the room or
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practice any kind of singing or whatever.
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It's just special.
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So it's, if you.
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Don't utilize the open
mic to practice new stuff.
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You're wasting the opportunity.
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'cause you might crush, but you're not
improving at all or trying out new stuff.
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Yeah, that's right.
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And, and I think there are comedians
that they do that they, they
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crush every week at the open mic.
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But that's all you'll see.
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That's all you'll see them do.
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It would just be that by the open
mic because any kind of showcase
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that, what would I put them on would
be they would show up at a showcase
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and then do the same jokes that
they did at the open mic and then if
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there's another showcase coming up.
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You're not booked for that anymore
because you've used of all your
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jokes, you're not using your
mic to come up with new methods.
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Things that, that kept yourself,
you put that ceiling over yourself.
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So what's your writing process like?
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How do you come up, how do you develop
jokes and do you have a set schedule or
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do you just get inspiration from life?
00:11:09.585 --> 00:11:13.095
Yeah, we, some of the comics
I met in Australia, we.
00:11:14.280 --> 00:11:17.640
Some of my closer friends here in
Singapore, we would get on like a group
00:11:17.640 --> 00:11:22.800
call like that and then we would just
work, share the premises that we have been
00:11:22.800 --> 00:11:28.320
working on, and then we can help give each
other text to try it at the open mind.
00:11:29.790 --> 00:11:30.090
Yeah.
00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:33.900
Other than that, like it's, I
don't really have a set schedule,
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but it's like, how do I put this?
00:11:36.660 --> 00:11:40.320
Like I've had spent a long.
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Such a long time writing down
random stuff in my phone here.
00:11:46.260 --> 00:11:53.189
There I have so much to get through and
so much to try and at given point that I
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don't, I don't put the pressure on myself
to, I gotta sit down and write today,
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which is probably not the best thing,
should be spending more time right there.
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But I have, I feel like I have
set up such a backlog of things
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that I want to do clear and try
before I. I work on anything new.
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Um, I recently also started working on
a more narrative based show as opposed
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to just pure stand up joke, joke jokes.
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Guy from the theater
community saw me perform.
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Then he reached out to me and said,
try to work on something together.
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So that's what we've been trying
to work on, which is maybe
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more of a side project for now.
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That maybe two, three hours
a week to try and write that.
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And then he gives me like feedback
to like make it into more of
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a one man show than a show.
00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.520
It's interesting.
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I think one thing about comedy is there's
a lot of distinct like personalities
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and styles, and I think most people,
if they are a fan of comedy, they
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have certain comics they're big fans
of, but it's one of the arts that.
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It's seems like joke theft or
like you mentioned, sharing
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with other comics, the premise.
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Yes.
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Is that like a worry about, oh, I want
to keep my joke secret so somebody else
00:13:16.905 --> 00:13:20.625
doesn't take it and do something with
it, or how do you think about that?
00:13:21.345 --> 00:13:23.145
I think it's, yeah,
joke theft is terrible.
00:13:23.175 --> 00:13:25.995
When I see it's is, it's despicable.
00:13:27.585 --> 00:13:31.935
But I don't think comics
keep our jokes for ourselves.
00:13:31.935 --> 00:13:33.945
It's clear there are
not that many comedians.
00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:38.310
If you see someone doing a job that
you have seen from someone, it is
00:13:38.790 --> 00:13:41.400
pretty clear what's happening here.
00:13:41.910 --> 00:13:44.939
You can ask them, they can
have explanations or whatever.
00:13:44.939 --> 00:13:49.829
Like, I've had new comedians do, uh,
00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:55.290
jokes that to me they, it looks
like they've stolen it from like
00:13:55.290 --> 00:13:58.829
just the internet, from world
famous comedians internationally
00:13:59.040 --> 00:14:00.600
query television comedians.
00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:01.845
They are taking those jobs.
00:14:02.790 --> 00:14:06.840
Then they are like changing a few words
here and there and I've called them out on
00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:11.100
it and then they're like, what if I take
a similar setup but I change the punch?
00:14:13.800 --> 00:14:14.880
That's just not cool.
00:14:15.450 --> 00:14:21.120
I think the fun part of stand
really is coming up with jokes, like
00:14:21.540 --> 00:14:24.120
making people laugh with your ideas.
00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:27.130
Um, and if you're not doing
that, then you're not doing it.
00:14:28.275 --> 00:14:31.095
In terms of sharing the
premises with comedians?
00:14:31.125 --> 00:14:34.814
Yeah, I think it's, it is very clear and
any one of the people that sharing with
00:14:34.814 --> 00:14:39.975
us stealing the jokes, anybody else in
that that meeting would be able to tell
00:14:39.975 --> 00:14:42.015
and be, be able to bet them message.
00:14:42.465 --> 00:14:46.665
And also I think a lot of times the
premises that you come up with, they
00:14:46.665 --> 00:14:51.885
are from your perspective and it's
people, there are people that can share
00:14:52.185 --> 00:14:55.665
different ideas with me that are like,
that I find hilarious, but I know.
00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:59.135
That's just not something I
would do on stage or something
00:14:59.160 --> 00:15:00.840
that I could too long on stage.
00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:01.650
Right?
00:15:01.650 --> 00:15:01.860
There
00:15:02.970 --> 00:15:05.790
are all of these different
considerations and I think the
00:15:05.790 --> 00:15:09.690
community is small enough at large.
00:15:09.690 --> 00:15:13.200
I think most comedian are supportive
of one another, but if you are
00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:16.350
caught stealing jokes, then
they can get ugly quite fast.
00:15:17.400 --> 00:15:22.590
But like as far as premises go, is
it, does it reach a point where.
00:15:23.594 --> 00:15:25.605
It's almost everything
that's been done before.
00:15:25.605 --> 00:15:28.515
There's so many comedians out
there, so many jokes been that's
00:15:28.515 --> 00:15:32.324
been written and especially certain
types of comedy, maybe observational
00:15:32.324 --> 00:15:33.584
humor and that sort of thing.
00:15:33.974 --> 00:15:40.125
Is it okay to like, where's the line of
if it's too similar to somebody's joke?
00:15:41.025 --> 00:15:46.245
Yeah, I think it is fair to say
that everything has been done, um,
00:15:46.935 --> 00:15:49.635
in terms of premises at least, but
it's really what your perspectives.
00:15:51.449 --> 00:15:56.640
On the premise, it's sometimes you have
a great idea and then you tell some
00:15:56.850 --> 00:16:02.040
other comedian, other comedian will tell
you like, oh, actually that's been done
00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:06.209
by Chris Rock 20 2007 or whatever now.
00:16:06.270 --> 00:16:07.290
Okay, okay.
00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:09.689
Uh, then you drop that and you move on.
00:16:10.199 --> 00:16:15.480
Uh, it's, unless you can really
find something fresh and have
00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:18.870
a really cool take on it and
a really different take on it.
00:16:19.425 --> 00:16:21.855
There's, there's, there are enough.
00:16:24.074 --> 00:16:28.785
As much as every day has been done,
there is also so much that hasn't
00:16:28.785 --> 00:16:30.074
been done, if that makes sense.
00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:34.875
You don't have to, you
don't have to, yeah.
00:16:35.025 --> 00:16:36.555
Go down the same route as anybody else.
00:16:36.704 --> 00:16:40.275
Like you can just keep working
on what it is that makes you
00:16:40.275 --> 00:16:42.194
laugh and try to be original.
00:16:42.194 --> 00:16:42.360
That mean.
00:16:44.070 --> 00:16:44.340
Yeah.
00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:48.960
And for you, I think you do a lot
of local references, including s
00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:53.730
English or talking about, or things
like this that the local people get.
00:16:53.730 --> 00:16:56.610
And I think I saw one time you
mentioned that it really meant,
00:16:56.760 --> 00:17:00.360
means a lot to you when you see the
local crowd react to these Yeah.
00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:03.150
References that maybe
other people wouldn't get.
00:17:03.630 --> 00:17:03.840
Yeah.
00:17:04.859 --> 00:17:07.980
Is that something that you're, you
try to include more be because of
00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:10.835
that or is it you just let it come
naturally when it makes sense.
00:17:12.165 --> 00:17:19.365
It comes naturally to me when I'm
working on bits like this, Singaporean
00:17:19.365 --> 00:17:20.925
dots come into my Singaporean brain.
00:17:21.345 --> 00:17:26.474
I think when I first started out, it
was something I tried to avoid 'cause I
00:17:26.474 --> 00:17:28.814
was worried that the jokes don't travel.
00:17:29.774 --> 00:17:32.804
I think now over time, I am
starting to realize that.
00:17:34.889 --> 00:17:37.800
Are more people in the world
that know Singapore than we
00:17:37.800 --> 00:17:38.939
give ourselves credit for.
00:17:38.939 --> 00:17:42.750
And there are also a lot of
Singaporeans overseas that would
00:17:42.750 --> 00:17:46.560
be happy to hear the Singaporean
accent and hear some Singaporean
00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:50.010
references like the comedy shows, man.
00:17:51.540 --> 00:17:57.629
Yeah, I, I, I'm trying to wear
down that, that shape and be to be
00:17:57.629 --> 00:18:00.855
proud of myself as a Singapore to
do the Singaporean jokes because.
00:18:02.685 --> 00:18:04.034
That's who I am.
00:18:04.034 --> 00:18:07.274
And if people are paying to come
and see me, they're coming to
00:18:07.274 --> 00:18:08.385
see the Singaporean comedian.
00:18:08.385 --> 00:18:11.655
They're not coming to see the
Singaporean pretend to be an
00:18:11.655 --> 00:18:14.024
American guy or whatever to do.
00:18:14.564 --> 00:18:14.895
You know?
00:18:15.465 --> 00:18:19.935
So like nowadays, I like that
there is still a line of like
00:18:20.024 --> 00:18:22.845
what can, like cannot work.
00:18:23.715 --> 00:18:28.605
But I think the kind of pride
where I can make a foreign audience
00:18:28.605 --> 00:18:29.834
laugh at a Singaporean story.
00:18:30.735 --> 00:18:33.345
Last year, two years ago.
00:18:33.345 --> 00:18:35.055
Two years ago at the Melbourne Festival.
00:18:35.595 --> 00:18:40.665
Like, uh, my big closer, which is also
the closer for the special on YouTube,
00:18:41.085 --> 00:18:44.775
was the story of me getting caught
littering and then going to court.
00:18:45.705 --> 00:18:50.205
That is like a pretty, I'd say
Singapore story of being prosecuted
00:18:50.505 --> 00:18:52.635
for a crime of tossing a little ground.
00:18:53.175 --> 00:18:56.535
And when I, and I think when this
kind of stories work, it gives.
00:18:57.555 --> 00:19:00.075
Me a lot of joy that I can
share these Singaporean stories.
00:19:00.075 --> 00:19:03.585
And it also gives the audience
a kind of a little peek into
00:19:03.585 --> 00:19:05.295
what life is in Singapore.
00:19:05.805 --> 00:19:09.675
You know, I think when I first started
watching standup, it was like, I know
00:19:09.675 --> 00:19:12.945
nothing about America, but when I watch
people like Chris Rock leadership, but
00:19:12.945 --> 00:19:17.565
I learn and I feel like I have a little
bit of idea of where they are from,
00:19:18.405 --> 00:19:22.635
and I'm hoping I can do that now to
do stand up and share what Singapore
00:19:22.635 --> 00:19:24.225
is like with people outside here.
00:19:25.545 --> 00:19:25.635
Yeah.
00:19:25.635 --> 00:19:29.805
So speaking of that, you've played
in Australia and I think some other,
00:19:30.195 --> 00:19:31.755
some other places internationally.
00:19:31.995 --> 00:19:37.125
What's like your dream venue to that
you would like to do a show at someday?
00:19:37.725 --> 00:19:42.795
Oh, right now, honestly, I would
like to do a show at the Wild Rice
00:19:42.795 --> 00:19:46.485
Theater in, it's such a nice theater.
00:19:46.485 --> 00:19:50.055
It's that with a trust teach,
it's like a little bird teach.
00:19:50.775 --> 00:19:52.455
The top, the top of a mall.
00:19:52.455 --> 00:19:55.425
Like the moment you step in there,
you forget that you're even in a mall.
00:19:55.425 --> 00:19:56.415
It's such a nice place.
00:19:56.805 --> 00:20:02.715
Like there's no dream, big
dream venue from, I'm always
00:20:02.715 --> 00:20:04.215
happy to perform wherever it is.
00:20:04.215 --> 00:20:05.625
I've done shows outdoors.
00:20:05.625 --> 00:20:06.585
I've done shows in indoor.
00:20:07.245 --> 00:20:10.785
We could be like a cafe
can be wherever it is.
00:20:10.785 --> 00:20:16.605
I'm happy to just be performing
so there's no real like, see.
00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:17.460
Venue.
00:20:17.760 --> 00:20:21.030
Like when I see a venue that I think is
cool, I would just like to do to show that
00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:25.380
nice, no, Wild Rice is super nice,
but I think they need to put some
00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:27.660
more railings in the top row of seats.
00:20:27.665 --> 00:20:28.465
It's a bit scar.
00:20:28.515 --> 00:20:28.865
Scary.
00:20:29.175 --> 00:20:29.880
It's a bit low.
00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:30.240
Yeah, there.
00:20:31.770 --> 00:20:35.820
But speaking of that, so there's
some really big comedians come
00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:36.930
from this part of the world.
00:20:36.990 --> 00:20:39.190
Nigel and Ronny Chieng.
00:20:39.570 --> 00:20:42.000
Do you ever think about is the market.
00:20:42.315 --> 00:20:43.425
Too small in Singapore.
00:20:43.425 --> 00:20:47.715
Do you ever think about moving
to London or New York or LA and
00:20:48.015 --> 00:20:50.805
doing comedy there, or you think
you're gonna stick around here?
00:20:51.675 --> 00:20:54.825
I think I would ultimately
always be based here.
00:20:56.175 --> 00:21:00.495
'cause I love it here and I think
that the, the see the market is small,
00:21:00.555 --> 00:21:02.205
but it's, it's constantly growing.
00:21:02.535 --> 00:21:04.875
This is my 11th year doing
standup in Singapore.
00:21:04.875 --> 00:21:09.795
We, when I first started it was
one open mic a week, and then maybe
00:21:09.795 --> 00:21:11.295
like an international showcase.
00:21:12.195 --> 00:21:20.295
Once a month, and now we have, we
have four shows, four, four a week and
00:21:20.295 --> 00:21:24.105
multiple shows happening all around
the Friday and Saturday in Singapore.
00:21:24.105 --> 00:21:29.565
Now if you find your sets, you can do
after three shows in a night, and then
00:21:29.775 --> 00:21:32.265
same with Malaysia, same with Vietnam.
00:21:32.925 --> 00:21:38.060
Um, the Philippines, I
think the market is, uh, is.
00:21:39.270 --> 00:21:43.740
It's so much untapped potential
in this part of the world.
00:21:44.130 --> 00:21:48.990
I enjoy performing for
people around here much more.
00:21:48.990 --> 00:21:53.400
I find that I way more in common
with someone that like, say like
00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:59.460
Thailand than anyone else with
London or the US or things like that.
00:21:59.850 --> 00:22:04.110
I love to visit sometimes
and I find that most times.
00:22:05.175 --> 00:22:09.255
When you are visiting a new comedy
scene, they are really usually
00:22:09.255 --> 00:22:14.145
really nice and you get a lot
of sports and guest appearances.
00:22:14.145 --> 00:22:15.345
You can do this, you can do that.
00:22:15.345 --> 00:22:18.705
But once you move in there,
you become one of them.
00:22:18.705 --> 00:22:22.780
Then you are now you are competing with
them as part to being their guests.
00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:28.845
So I, I like the relationship of, I'd
rather be their guest and visit them.
00:22:29.385 --> 00:22:30.435
It's the same in Australia.
00:22:30.735 --> 00:22:33.675
Like when I first went to Melbourne,
I'm like, oh, this is amazing.
00:22:33.675 --> 00:22:34.545
But I don't know if I would.
00:22:35.475 --> 00:22:39.195
Moved there and like I'm like, oh,
it wouldn't be nice if I lived here.
00:22:39.195 --> 00:22:40.215
I could get to do this and this.
00:22:40.215 --> 00:22:43.305
But I start thinking like, oh,
once I move here, I don't think
00:22:43.305 --> 00:22:44.025
they would treat me the same.
00:22:47.625 --> 00:22:50.955
So what do you think is behind
the growth of the comedy scene
00:22:50.955 --> 00:22:53.535
here and becoming more popular?
00:22:54.465 --> 00:22:55.845
Well, it's just the internet.
00:22:55.905 --> 00:22:58.035
Like more people know what standup is.
00:22:58.455 --> 00:23:03.465
I distinctly remember when brothers
knew like the last Netflix special.
00:23:03.825 --> 00:23:09.465
Which came out last year, like the,
like it came out and I could really
00:23:09.465 --> 00:23:14.505
feel like, I don't have any numbers,
but it felt like so many more people
00:23:14.505 --> 00:23:16.035
were coming out to watch Live standup.
00:23:16.665 --> 00:23:21.345
I had a headline show at the Lemon Stand
two weeks after that special came out.
00:23:21.345 --> 00:23:26.685
Then show was sold out, which are
very happy for, and I don't know
00:23:26.685 --> 00:23:30.585
how much credit I can take myself
for selling out the show, but it
00:23:30.585 --> 00:23:32.295
felt to me like first special.
00:23:33.315 --> 00:23:35.415
Because it was like in the
top deck for some time.
00:23:35.565 --> 00:23:39.405
I think a lot of Singaporean are
catching it and then that gives
00:23:39.405 --> 00:23:43.185
them the push to want to try to
catch a lifestyle trade up set.
00:23:43.815 --> 00:23:49.245
Uh, it's also just more, yeah, just
more media attention, more the comedians
00:23:49.245 --> 00:23:55.515
letting work or tv, which she does a
bunch of stuff, or CNA, you know, and
00:23:55.515 --> 00:23:59.805
yeah, and just comedians are sharing
their clips online and they're also all
00:23:59.805 --> 00:24:01.665
of these big international comedians that.
00:24:01.710 --> 00:24:07.500
Uh, me visiting Singapore,
like on their toilets.
00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:11.100
People like Ronnie that come up, they
come here and then sell out their
00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:15.690
shows, and they're nice enough to get
someone like me to open for them that
00:24:15.995 --> 00:24:20.890
that gives their massive audience
here in Singapore build and who I am.
00:24:20.890 --> 00:24:25.170
And I, I, I get, I probably
get recognized on the street
00:24:26.100 --> 00:24:27.365
for opening for Ronnie Modern.
00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:29.850
People come up to me to say, hi.
00:24:29.850 --> 00:24:31.110
They saw me at my show.
00:24:31.230 --> 00:24:35.070
Do you think that we'll ever reach
a point where it becomes negative?
00:24:35.070 --> 00:24:40.650
Like maybe the audiences are too
sophisticated or too have too
00:24:40.650 --> 00:24:45.060
high expectations for the younger
comics, or is it just always gonna
00:24:45.060 --> 00:24:47.850
be a good thing to have more people
coming out to see live shows?
00:24:48.570 --> 00:24:50.010
Yeah, I don't think it'll
ever be a bad thing.
00:24:50.010 --> 00:24:53.460
I think if they have a higher standard
for the younger comics than the
00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:56.125
younger comics, unfortunately we just
have to live up to those standards.
00:24:57.135 --> 00:24:58.845
And it's not like it is impossible.
00:24:59.415 --> 00:25:02.295
Like there are enough rooms, there
are enough, there is in a way
00:25:02.295 --> 00:25:07.605
enough stage time for them to really
work at it and to try and to try
00:25:07.605 --> 00:25:08.535
and live up to those standards.
00:25:08.625 --> 00:25:13.605
Although I personally, I don't
think the local crowd is that super
00:25:13.605 --> 00:25:18.645
sophisticated and it's gonna take a lot
of a long time for, for that to happen.
00:25:19.275 --> 00:25:23.775
Um, it is still really so new and
I think most of the audiences are
00:25:23.775 --> 00:25:25.545
just happy to come out to watch.
00:25:26.265 --> 00:25:28.335
Something fun and detaining for the night.
00:25:28.695 --> 00:25:34.905
This year, we had happy ever laughter
at the Capitol by Dream Academy.
00:25:34.905 --> 00:25:39.225
That was the election special,
and that was like a night of just
00:25:39.405 --> 00:25:47.565
political jokes that we had nine days
on, which to me it was, it is like a
00:25:47.565 --> 00:25:50.835
big, it feels like it's opening up.
00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:55.905
Like a lot of people will say, oh, you
can't say this about the PAP, or that
00:25:56.385 --> 00:25:58.305
about your politicians or whatever.
00:25:58.815 --> 00:26:01.965
But we had a full night
of sad comedians do it.
00:26:02.535 --> 00:26:04.815
All these jokes about all
these different politicians.
00:26:04.815 --> 00:26:08.355
I think the crowd in Singapore
is learning what they like
00:26:09.495 --> 00:26:11.115
and there's only good because.
00:26:11.534 --> 00:26:14.985
I also don't think like the Singapore
crowd would still be like one crowd.
00:26:15.375 --> 00:26:18.225
Even if we did Singapore, there would
just be different type of audiences that
00:26:18.225 --> 00:26:21.915
enjoy different types of comedy, but it
de can only be good for everyone involved.
00:26:22.875 --> 00:26:26.595
I think that's true that like
stereotypically people might
00:26:26.595 --> 00:26:31.155
say Singapore conservative, both
like society and government.
00:26:31.635 --> 00:26:37.095
Are you finding like audiences are
more open to, I don't know, racist
00:26:37.125 --> 00:26:39.254
or more edgy jokes than before?
00:26:39.254 --> 00:26:40.695
Or is it overblown?
00:26:41.325 --> 00:26:44.685
I like Singapore person at least.
00:26:45.045 --> 00:26:46.365
We love racing jokes.
00:26:47.205 --> 00:26:49.395
These are the jokes that
people tell in the coffee shop.
00:26:49.395 --> 00:26:51.345
These are the jokes we tell
in school to one another.
00:26:51.855 --> 00:26:59.235
And there is the, the backbone of, of
the comedy we, of our sense of humor,
00:26:59.565 --> 00:27:03.825
at least I think when you go online
and then things get a bit different.
00:27:03.825 --> 00:27:08.775
I think people put up different
pieces and whatever it is they.
00:27:09.554 --> 00:27:13.844
Discuss the merits or the
merits of talking about race.
00:27:13.935 --> 00:27:14.865
So bully.
00:27:15.584 --> 00:27:26.264
But it's, it is what we do and I think
in a live setting at the club, you can
00:27:26.745 --> 00:27:29.985
pretty much talk about anything here.
00:27:30.735 --> 00:27:34.064
As long as it's funny, you
can make the crowd laugh.
00:27:34.725 --> 00:27:36.165
Nobody's gonna be that upset.
00:27:36.195 --> 00:27:39.315
Maybe sometimes people will make a
complaint or whatever, but I think
00:27:39.315 --> 00:27:43.965
the general audience that come
through to a show are here to watch
00:27:43.965 --> 00:27:47.685
the show and have a good time and
don't get too upset about anything.
00:27:48.615 --> 00:27:49.485
Yeah, for sure.
00:27:49.815 --> 00:27:52.455
That's one thing I wanted to ask
you about is like social media
00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:55.260
nowadays, TikTok, Instagram.
00:27:56.550 --> 00:28:02.670
Not easy, but it's much more common
to blow up and go viral or get famous
00:28:02.670 --> 00:28:04.560
doing clips and that sort of thing.
00:28:05.100 --> 00:28:10.560
Is it ever tempting for you, or do you
ever feel, oh, maybe I, it would be easier
00:28:10.560 --> 00:28:14.970
instead of going and doing open mic sets
to small crowds to like just focus on
00:28:15.390 --> 00:28:16.915
doing stuff online and doing social media.
00:28:18.135 --> 00:28:18.630
I did that.
00:28:18.990 --> 00:28:21.540
I, during COVID, I went to work
for a social media company.
00:28:22.770 --> 00:28:25.615
I can still name them, probably
shouldn't, but I, I worked.
00:28:26.415 --> 00:28:30.179
The social media plays and I learned a
lot about working in social media and
00:28:30.179 --> 00:28:34.335
the type of content that could work and
the algorithm and all of these things
00:28:34.335 --> 00:28:39.975
that it does seem like it's easier,
but I, I think in practice it's just
00:28:39.975 --> 00:28:41.955
not, it's really just not that easy.
00:28:42.315 --> 00:28:43.725
There's so many things you gotta think of.
00:28:43.725 --> 00:28:47.325
There's so much work to set out
the cameras this way and we get,
00:28:48.044 --> 00:28:49.360
even get a mic to work properly.
00:28:49.965 --> 00:28:53.895
When I came on this in this room before
we started, there's all of these things
00:28:53.895 --> 00:28:58.905
and then how you caption and your
thumbnail and all of these different
00:28:58.905 --> 00:28:59.985
things that you've gotta think about.
00:28:59.985 --> 00:29:01.305
And that is so much work.
00:29:02.024 --> 00:29:09.615
As opposed to me going to a place
and then sitting backstage for 20
00:29:09.615 --> 00:29:13.215
minutes and then some guy calls me
on and then I go up there and I talk.
00:29:13.725 --> 00:29:15.764
It's, that is, it's a lot easier.
00:29:16.004 --> 00:29:17.355
Maybe I don't get as famous.
00:29:17.774 --> 00:29:22.425
I feel a lot happier doing that, and
I feel less stressed out doing that.
00:29:22.995 --> 00:29:26.295
Like nowadays, the content that
I post on my Instagram is all
00:29:26.295 --> 00:29:28.065
just clips from my show mostly.
00:29:28.905 --> 00:29:32.720
That seems to be working all right for
me, and I'm happy to continue doing that.
00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:36.465
And the standup is what I like.
00:29:36.465 --> 00:29:40.875
Everything that I have, I, I, I have,
because I started doing standup,
00:29:41.625 --> 00:29:45.524
my fiance, I met her at one of my
shows, the first show outta COVID.
00:29:46.275 --> 00:29:50.715
All of my closest friends like
me at a show, like the musicians
00:29:51.255 --> 00:29:56.025
that I hang out with, like we used
to perform at the same venue, uh,
00:29:56.385 --> 00:29:58.275
all of the big things in my life.
00:29:58.935 --> 00:30:02.535
Even that job at the social media
company, they hired me because they
00:30:02.535 --> 00:30:08.355
saw me doing stand up and just, just,
I don't see myself doing anything,
00:30:08.895 --> 00:30:10.785
uh, if I wasn't doing anything.
00:30:11.790 --> 00:30:14.429
Would be standup and if I was
doing everything else, I would
00:30:14.429 --> 00:30:15.870
still want to be doing standup.
00:30:16.230 --> 00:30:16.949
At the end of the day,
00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:20.699
what's the thing that you love the most?
00:30:20.699 --> 00:30:24.960
What makes it meaningful to you or
gives you the feeling that this is
00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:26.010
exactly what you wanna be doing?
00:30:27.389 --> 00:30:28.889
It's just the reactions from the crowd.
00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:35.189
It's live should instantaneously like when
you get a new job working or when you go
00:30:35.189 --> 00:30:36.990
out there to a particularly big crowd.
00:30:38.070 --> 00:30:38.879
Do really well.
00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:43.139
Or you go out there to a particularly
rough crowd and then you, against
00:30:43.139 --> 00:30:44.910
all odds, make them laugh.
00:30:45.330 --> 00:30:49.050
There's all of these different life
things that make it challenging
00:30:49.050 --> 00:30:50.250
and make it meaningful for me.
00:30:50.760 --> 00:30:52.620
Um, but yeah, like what?
00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:52.920
Tell me.
00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:54.000
They like, like my standup.
00:30:54.000 --> 00:31:00.004
It's, that just means so much more
to me than it so clear character or,
00:31:00.105 --> 00:31:01.685
or TikTok or whatever feels like.
00:31:03.600 --> 00:31:07.950
So speaking of that, you, you started
doing standup when you were in school,
00:31:07.950 --> 00:31:11.220
but then I think after you graduated,
you also worked, you mentioned you
00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:13.050
worked some corporate jobs after that.
00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:18.570
When was it, or how did you decide
that you were ready or your career
00:31:18.570 --> 00:31:21.090
was in a place where you could
commit to doing standup full-time?
00:31:21.750 --> 00:31:27.720
Well, I actually was trying to do
standup full-time, coming outta uni.
00:31:28.755 --> 00:31:31.095
When I did it for a couple
of years, I went on tour.
00:31:31.095 --> 00:31:33.045
I was actually on tour in Vietnam.
00:31:33.975 --> 00:31:39.255
My mom called me and she said, there's
this COVID thing, so you better come back.
00:31:40.035 --> 00:31:43.845
Came back home and then we went into
a lockdown and I look at my Instagram,
00:31:43.845 --> 00:31:46.725
all my friends and Vietnam are still
out in the public 'cause they had a
00:31:46.725 --> 00:31:48.255
will leave the lunch from every day.
00:31:49.545 --> 00:31:53.205
So COVID happened and then
we couldn't perform anymore,
00:31:53.895 --> 00:31:55.290
could do these Zoom shows.
00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:57.780
Zoom shows just aren't the same.
00:31:58.950 --> 00:32:00.330
You know what I'm saying?
00:32:00.330 --> 00:32:03.930
Some people started sharing some
job posting with me and they started
00:32:03.930 --> 00:32:06.480
going for some different interviews.
00:32:06.480 --> 00:32:08.280
And then I started working
with corporate job.
00:32:09.360 --> 00:32:11.370
So technically the job saved my life.
00:32:11.490 --> 00:32:13.890
I wouldn't have anybody to
eat, if not for the job.
00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:16.560
So I, I did it for three
years then it was cool.
00:32:16.560 --> 00:32:18.660
Was fun for big for most part.
00:32:19.230 --> 00:32:21.885
Uh, and then when the.
00:32:23.445 --> 00:32:27.585
COVID ended when all of
the travel stuffs listed.
00:32:27.855 --> 00:32:29.865
I could and I could travel again.
00:32:29.870 --> 00:32:34.245
I, I told myself that, okay, it's,
I want to go back on the road to
00:32:34.245 --> 00:32:40.245
do standup and like, the great, the
great timing was happy ever laughter.
00:32:40.304 --> 00:32:45.014
That year was the Malaysian edition.
00:32:46.155 --> 00:32:49.575
So happy ever after say, we are
gonna fly you to KL and fly you back.
00:32:50.115 --> 00:32:54.075
I said, can I, instead of flying me
back, could you just book a flight to
00:32:54.075 --> 00:32:58.965
like Vietnam for me so I can continue
going on that tour that I had to.
00:32:59.685 --> 00:33:03.555
So yeah, I finished up Happy Ever
Laughter in and then they paid me
00:33:03.645 --> 00:33:08.055
a healthy amount of money and then
I just looked to Vietnam and I did
00:33:08.055 --> 00:33:11.175
Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Bali.
00:33:11.295 --> 00:33:15.645
And I just went around and made all
these different connections, uh,
00:33:15.645 --> 00:33:16.660
with all the different bookers there.
00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.480
In the region.
00:33:18.540 --> 00:33:23.940
And that allowed me now to, if I have
a show now, I can fairly easily get
00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:27.210
in touch with them and try to book
a show and make a show happening.
00:33:28.110 --> 00:33:28.800
This side of the world.
00:33:30.390 --> 00:33:34.560
And so you briefly touched on it earlier,
but do you change your set or do you
00:33:34.560 --> 00:33:37.530
change the jokes at all when you're
performing for international audiences,
00:33:37.530 --> 00:33:39.245
or do you do the same thing as usual?
00:33:40.125 --> 00:33:44.610
I try to do as much of the same as
possible, unless it is something
00:33:44.610 --> 00:33:46.770
that's really hyper localized.
00:33:47.685 --> 00:33:53.835
Yeah, I have one joke now about
this kid asking me to name
00:33:53.835 --> 00:33:55.635
five teacher from his school.
00:33:56.895 --> 00:34:00.415
The five teacher is Mr.
Tan, Mr. Lim, Mr. Chua.
00:34:00.435 --> 00:34:02.655
And that works really well
in Singapore, Malaysia.
00:34:03.225 --> 00:34:06.225
Uh, but anywhere else, I
don't know if that will work.
00:34:07.065 --> 00:34:11.324
He needs to be seen, so I, I will try them
out and if I know they don't work, then
00:34:11.324 --> 00:34:12.735
I have to just take it out for myself.
00:34:13.125 --> 00:34:15.375
But as much as I can, I
try to give the same set.
00:34:17.009 --> 00:34:17.669
What about heckler?
00:34:17.669 --> 00:34:18.870
Is that at shows?
00:34:18.870 --> 00:34:22.560
Does it give you material to go off
of or would you rather not have it?
00:34:23.429 --> 00:34:24.120
It depends.
00:34:24.540 --> 00:34:27.779
I suppose if a show is really
boring, like in that show in Pearl
00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:31.500
that I bombed terribly, I wish
someone Hecker and it would made
00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.580
it more, make it more interesting.
00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:36.534
We had, I had a wild
heckler the other day.
00:34:37.154 --> 00:34:37.709
Oh, the show.
00:34:37.709 --> 00:34:39.000
I just posted a clip of it actually.
00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.149
Yeah.
00:34:39.389 --> 00:34:40.560
That was heckling non stop.
00:34:40.560 --> 00:34:41.459
He was super drunk.
00:34:41.459 --> 00:34:43.409
Everything I said, he
had something to add on.
00:34:44.339 --> 00:34:47.580
And then the, the end of the show I
realized he was like the boss of the place
00:34:50.100 --> 00:34:50.939
and I was like, God damn.
00:34:50.939 --> 00:34:51.629
That's why thought.
00:34:51.689 --> 00:34:58.049
None of you, the crowd are like saying
to him, you're just letting me bash him
00:34:58.049 --> 00:35:01.535
and you're laughing at it, but you're
not stopping him 'cause he's your boss.
00:35:04.439 --> 00:35:05.609
So it can't be fun.
00:35:05.640 --> 00:35:12.569
I think ultimately, like again, I
don't think people come out to shows.
00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.830
To be an asshole.
00:35:14.910 --> 00:35:17.670
And I think everybody come
up wanting thing to have fun.
00:35:17.670 --> 00:35:21.420
And I think some people just have fun
in their own way and they don't really
00:35:22.080 --> 00:35:26.460
expect, but for others, and I try to
operate from that perspective, that
00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:29.130
this guy is not trying to be an asshole.
00:35:29.130 --> 00:35:32.460
He is trying to have fun, but
his way of having fun is just
00:35:32.700 --> 00:35:34.410
as holy to to put around here.
00:35:35.130 --> 00:35:38.010
And I think if you can convey
that to everyone in the room,
00:35:38.820 --> 00:35:42.060
then everyone can have a good time
despite them being a heckler that.
00:35:42.705 --> 00:35:46.875
Unless somebody is like offended and upset
at something you say, which is, I don't
00:35:46.875 --> 00:35:50.685
think has ever happened to me, but like
I, I imagine if somebody is really upset
00:35:50.685 --> 00:35:55.305
and they like they're trying to shut you
down, and then that is, then that person's
00:35:55.305 --> 00:35:59.535
not having fun anymore, then that is a
different kind of heckler to deal with.
00:35:59.865 --> 00:36:06.105
But when people are like trying to chime
in or whatever, I try to not look at
00:36:06.105 --> 00:36:10.080
them as like hostile, uh, usually that.
00:36:11.340 --> 00:36:14.640
We can all have a good time, maybe at
the expense of this guy trying to be
00:36:14.640 --> 00:36:18.480
funny himself, but we can all still have
a good time, even if there's a heckler.
00:36:20.160 --> 00:36:24.150
How different is it doing corporate
shows where the organizer pays you
00:36:24.540 --> 00:36:29.220
to put on a show versus when you're
doing a show that people buy or buying
00:36:29.220 --> 00:36:30.840
tickets to see the show themselves?
00:36:30.900 --> 00:36:33.840
Is that like a different kind of pressure
or feeling when you're going into those?
00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:35.340
Yeah, for sure.
00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:38.220
I think most times at a corporate show.
00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:46.050
Less, they really can
concern into the setup.
00:36:46.110 --> 00:36:48.960
It's, it is usually
not ideal for stand ups
00:36:51.180 --> 00:37:01.470
and like, yeah, the, because like standup,
I think people would love stand up into
00:37:01.470 --> 00:37:06.960
any kind of entertainment where they
would lump it together with a musician.
00:37:08.010 --> 00:37:12.360
Magician, some dancers, like
it's all the same to them.
00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:20.160
It's just event organizers look at it as,
okay, we have one hour showtime after the
00:37:20.160 --> 00:37:22.140
first course, we have one hour showtime.
00:37:22.140 --> 00:37:25.530
After the seven course, what
can we fill the showtime with?
00:37:25.980 --> 00:37:29.160
And it start calling out all
the different performers.
00:37:30.150 --> 00:37:35.865
But standup requires the
crowd to be fully attentive.
00:37:37.875 --> 00:37:42.765
It requires like a certain kind
of atmosphere for it to work.
00:37:43.695 --> 00:37:47.295
Like if you are like, like sometimes
like show up at the corporate, oh, we
00:37:47.295 --> 00:37:52.455
have this that's spinning around, jumping
around and the crowd is blown away.
00:37:52.965 --> 00:37:54.435
I like, oh, thank you so much.
00:37:54.435 --> 00:37:56.205
Yeah, put your hands
together for the next thing.
00:37:56.205 --> 00:37:58.095
Jacky and I'm out there.
00:37:58.095 --> 00:37:59.685
I'm like, Hey, hello.
00:38:00.855 --> 00:38:03.255
And it's just complete
downer for everybody.
00:38:03.255 --> 00:38:04.465
Like I don't blame anyone in the room.
00:38:04.770 --> 00:38:08.220
Or not reacting to anything I said, like
they just saw the most amazing thing
00:38:08.220 --> 00:38:12.090
they've seen in their lives or like
they're like in the interest of time,
00:38:12.090 --> 00:38:15.720
the event organizer would want to serve
the food while the guy is on stage.
00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:15.990
Yeah.
00:38:15.990 --> 00:38:20.340
If it's a musician singing, sure you can
have fish and you can enjoy your fish and
00:38:20.340 --> 00:38:25.950
listen to the amazing song, but if I'm
trying to tell a joke and our comes out,
00:38:26.460 --> 00:38:30.810
they're gonna be, I don't blame them for
wanting to eat our box and then when their
00:38:30.810 --> 00:38:33.785
mouth is filled with, they cannot laugh.
00:38:35.504 --> 00:38:40.814
There's all of these different
things, and that is why a lot of
00:38:40.814 --> 00:38:44.895
comedians look at a corporate gig
as like just being paid to die on.
00:38:45.225 --> 00:38:47.805
They're just, you're gonna give you
a certain amount of money, you're
00:38:47.805 --> 00:38:51.674
gonna go out there, gonna take up 20
minutes, and then you just, nobody's
00:38:51.674 --> 00:38:53.024
gonna listen to you sometimes.
00:38:53.024 --> 00:38:53.234
Yeah.
00:38:53.234 --> 00:38:55.785
I like if it's like a
big year end celebration.
00:38:55.845 --> 00:38:57.435
No one wants to be there.
00:38:57.495 --> 00:38:59.924
Everybody wants to be there to celebrate.
00:39:00.345 --> 00:39:02.084
No one's there to listen to anybody else.
00:39:02.625 --> 00:39:05.505
They want to go and they wanna cheer
their friend, they want a yum saying
00:39:05.505 --> 00:39:07.245
they wanna do all of those things.
00:39:08.055 --> 00:39:11.685
So like, I would never turn down
a gig if you're gonna pay me.
00:39:13.035 --> 00:39:19.725
But I can also understand why a lot of
people at times add a corporate gig.
00:39:19.725 --> 00:39:21.884
They are just not the most
enthusiastic for standup.
00:39:23.325 --> 00:39:26.625
Do you think you'll reach that
or would that, could that be, uh,
00:39:26.685 --> 00:39:29.325
something that you hope someday
you get to that point where?
00:39:29.685 --> 00:39:35.055
You'll be able to be more selective or
set like some restrictions and groundwork
00:39:35.055 --> 00:39:36.315
before you accept that kind of gig?
00:39:36.735 --> 00:39:37.095
For sure.
00:39:37.125 --> 00:39:39.915
It's either that or like Kumar.
00:39:40.395 --> 00:39:43.455
When I see Kumar at a corporate
gig, Kumar is the exception.
00:39:44.085 --> 00:39:48.885
Kumar to any Singaporean would
put down what they're doing.
00:39:50.355 --> 00:39:50.965
Watch Kumar.
00:39:52.095 --> 00:39:54.530
Like I've seen, I've seen magicians fail.
00:39:56.190 --> 00:40:03.060
People don't give a far and then the MCs
and people put down their food and they,
00:40:03.060 --> 00:40:04.320
they spend 20 minutes watching Kumar.
00:40:05.009 --> 00:40:09.960
That is like, yeah, I guess I, I'd
rather that because I'd rather still
00:40:09.960 --> 00:40:13.770
make the money as much as I would
wanna be selective of the gigs.
00:40:13.770 --> 00:40:17.280
I think with, we have a house coming up.
00:40:17.610 --> 00:40:18.780
I'm getting married soon.
00:40:19.345 --> 00:40:19.920
Yeah, yeah.
00:40:20.460 --> 00:40:24.150
I can always use more money, so I
would like to get to a point where.
00:40:26.115 --> 00:40:30.555
People wanna see me for 10, 20 minutes
and they can put down everything they're
00:40:30.555 --> 00:40:34.424
doing and just watch me for 10, 20
minutes as opposed to cutting down gigs.
00:40:35.025 --> 00:40:39.285
I think I, that's the greatest
blessing in my life, is the
00:40:39.285 --> 00:40:40.605
opportunity to go on stage.
00:40:40.605 --> 00:40:41.145
Any, anytime.
00:40:41.415 --> 00:40:43.904
I would take it off any, anytime,
whether it's a challenge or
00:40:43.904 --> 00:40:45.615
not, I would always wanted them.
00:40:46.790 --> 00:40:47.080
Nice.
00:40:48.315 --> 00:40:52.305
That leads into my last question, which
I think maybe that's one answer there,
00:40:52.305 --> 00:40:57.585
but other than that, any big goals for
your future, whether that be maybe a
00:40:57.585 --> 00:41:01.665
Netflix special or opening for somebody
or having somebody open for you, what
00:41:01.665 --> 00:41:06.285
would be like a peak, pinnacle type of
goal that you might look for yourself?
00:41:06.945 --> 00:41:08.325
I don't know about Netflix.
00:41:08.340 --> 00:41:14.505
I, I would like to have a nice, I would
like to have a Singapore comedy special.
00:41:16.050 --> 00:41:17.670
Do really well internationally.
00:41:18.750 --> 00:41:22.650
I would like to have that piece
of work that people from around
00:41:22.650 --> 00:41:25.320
the world can see and be like,
oh, that's Singaporean comedian.
00:41:25.680 --> 00:41:29.250
'cause right now it's
like crazy rich agents.
00:41:29.279 --> 00:41:30.120
That's what people think.
00:41:30.120 --> 00:41:32.009
Singapore is up when?
00:41:32.009 --> 00:41:34.680
When like which, which I'm
not complaining like before.
00:41:34.680 --> 00:41:37.980
Crazy Rich Asians, nobody
knew what Singapore is or was.
00:41:38.340 --> 00:41:41.070
People think we are in China, but
crazy Rich Asians actually opened that
00:41:41.070 --> 00:41:43.395
up to be like, oh, actually crazy.
00:41:43.875 --> 00:41:44.275
Singapore is.
00:41:45.075 --> 00:41:46.634
Place, Southeast Asia.
00:41:46.634 --> 00:41:49.605
We know a bit more about
Singapore, but I don't think it's
00:41:50.024 --> 00:41:51.314
like the everyday Singaporean.
00:41:51.734 --> 00:41:56.444
And I think if I had the opportunity to
come up with a piece of media, a comedy
00:41:56.444 --> 00:42:01.515
special, ideally that can compete,
what it's like to live in Singapore
00:42:01.515 --> 00:42:06.490
as a, as a regular Singaporean and
the HDB flag, going to the coffee shop
00:42:06.629 --> 00:42:10.995
for food, hanging out with all people
at the exercise corner and stuff like
00:42:10.995 --> 00:42:12.915
that, that will be a dream come true.
00:42:13.995 --> 00:42:15.134
Awesome, awesome.
00:42:15.194 --> 00:42:18.645
We'll put some links in the show notes,
but where can people see your stuff
00:42:18.645 --> 00:42:19.755
or where can they go to your shows?
00:42:20.295 --> 00:42:24.615
So all of the shows that I
organized myself, I sell the
00:42:24.615 --> 00:42:27.095
tickets on my website at jacky.sg.
00:42:28.035 --> 00:42:30.765
I have a Telegram, channel jackynfriends.
00:42:30.884 --> 00:42:36.794
That's j, j JAC KY, and then N, the
letter friends, Jacky n Friends.
00:42:37.365 --> 00:42:40.515
That is where I, all of
the gigs that I'm doing.
00:42:40.515 --> 00:42:41.775
I announced there first.
00:42:42.855 --> 00:42:46.605
And then you, so you have access to
like a little bit tickets and stuff like
00:42:46.605 --> 00:42:49.700
that, or the channel on the On Telegram.
00:42:49.995 --> 00:42:50.295
Yeah.
00:42:50.415 --> 00:42:53.115
Now you can just keep a look out
on the website and then all my
00:42:53.115 --> 00:42:55.575
social media is Jacky Ng comedy.
00:42:56.820 --> 00:42:57.270
Awesome.
00:42:57.510 --> 00:42:58.710
Thanks so much for joining me today.
00:42:58.710 --> 00:42:59.550
It was great to talk to you.
00:42:59.910 --> 00:43:00.540
You too, thanks.
00:43:00.545 --> 00:43:00.900
Thanks very.
00:43:00.900 --> 00:43:01.110
Alright.
00:43:01.380 --> 00:43:01.920
Talk to you soon.
00:43:02.160 --> 00:43:02.940
Bye bye.
00:43:04.140 --> 00:43:09.270
Thank you for listening to Before we get
there with your host Nicholas Braman.
00:43:09.720 --> 00:43:14.670
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at before we get their podcast.
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New episodes are released
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00:43:29.580 --> 00:43:30.510
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