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Comedians and comedy

Comedians and comedy
From Jerry Seinfeld to Stephen Chow, Ali Wong to Rick & Morty, SCMP reveals the latest news about the people, shows and films who make us laugh.
Ken Kirby plays Dr John Shen in The Pitt. Photos: @mrkenkirby/Instagram
TV shows and streaming video

Meet Ken Kirby, who plays Dr John Shen in HBO Max medical drama The Pitt

The Canadian actor – who grew up between Vancouver, Hong Kong and Shanghai – has TV credits including Dynasty, The Gifted and Good Trouble.

Fame and celebrity

Meet queer comedian Robby Hoffman, who plays Randi on Hacks

Celebrity children

Meet Eddie Murphy’s daughter Bella Murphy, who’s in Netflix’s Roommates

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TV shows and streaming video

Q&A | Asian-American Sheng Wang likes to be bored. His best jokes come from it

The Taiwanese-American talks about how jokes in Purple, now on Netflix, were inspired by small everyday events, and his bond with Ali Wong.

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Sheng Wang performs in Los Angeles in November 2022. The Taiwanese-American stand-up comedian talks about his new Netflix special “Purple” and finding humour in “fleeting” everyday moments. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Why these 3 Hong Kong comedies from the 1970s and 80s became local favourites

Itchy Fingers, Pom Pom and Where’s Officer Tuba? were mainstream films that shone amid the proliferation of kung fu and action comedies.

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Icons and Influencers

Meet Anthony Norman, star of Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat

The second instalment of Amazon’s hoax comedy show stars an unsuspecting Anthony Norman, who believed he was working a temp job and ended up heroically saving the day.

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World of performing arts

Making jokes in Hong Kong is a serious business

From TakeOut Comedy Club to Backstage Comedy and open mic nights, Hong Kong’s stand-up scene is growing, thanks to some dedicated producers.

Maitreyi Karanth’s one-woman show, “Maitriarchy”, was produced by Mohammed Magdi, who founded Backstage Comedy. Photo: Maitreyi Karanth
Fame and celebrity

Meet Larry David’s daughter Cazzie David, who just published a new book

The eldest daughter of the Curb Your Enthusiasm star famously dated Pete Davidson before he moved on to Ariana Grande.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Jim Carrey’s partner Min Ah, who he mentioned at the 51st César Awards

While The Mask star’s appearance sparked cosmetic surgery rumours, it was also the first time he publicly gave his partner a shout-out.

TV shows and streaming video

Asian-American comedians get a new platform to have their voices heard

Jokes with JoySauce is part of a US streaming channel that gives a home to Asian-American talent across film, comedy and reality TV.

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(From left) JoySauce chief creative officer Narumi Inatsugu, comedian Cat Ce, JoySauce founder Jonathan Sposato and Jokes with JoySauce host Ana Tuazon Parsons are photographed together in El Segundo, California. Photo: TNS
Fame and celebrity

Meet Jessica Williams, who plays Gaby in Apple TV’s Shrinking

Starting off with improv in school, she joined Amy Poehler’s comedy group and broke through as the youngest correspondent on The Daily Show.

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Jessica Williams plays Gaby in the Apple TV comedy-drama series, Shrinking, which is now into season three. Photos: @msjwilly/Instagram
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

3 of Gong Li’s surprising 1990s Hong Kong movie roles

Gong switched gears after making it in Chinese art-house films, starring with Stephen Chow, Brigitte Lin and others in lesser-known movies.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Paul W. Downs, who cosplayed Timothée Chalamet with his Hacks co-star

At the Critics’ Choice Awards, Downs and co-star Megan Stalter walked the red carpet in orange outfits inspired by Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.

Fame and celebrity

Meet comedian Morgan Jay, who went viral for his auto-tuned musical acts

Jay grew up in a musical family and interned at The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, before going viral on TikTok for his hilarious crowd work.

American comedian Morgan Jay is taking his Goofy Guy Tour around the world. Photo: @morganjay/Instagram
Donald Trump

Trump hits out at ‘dead man walking’ Colbert in late-night blast

US president calls on CBS to ‘put to sleep’ Stephen Colbert’s show now, before its scheduled end in May 2026.

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Stephen Colbert attends an event in New York on December 9. Photo: AFP
Fame and celebrity

Meet Sarah Sherman, the comedian who just played a drunk raccoon on SNL

The New York-born comedian took a jab at Donald Trump on SNL’s Weekend Update, and her surreal special Sarah Squirm: Live + in the Flesh was just released.

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Fame and celebrity

Who is Jordan Firstman, aka Charlie in Rachel Sennott’s I Love LA?

The actor, writer and singer wrote for the sitcom Search Party – but it was his humorous pandemic Instagram series that unexpectedly made him famous.

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Fame and celebrity

Who is John Mayer’s rumoured new romance, comedian and TikTok star Kat Stickler?

The pair were seen together twice in New York last weekend, though the TikTok star claims her new haircut should be a clear sign she’s single.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter John Mayer is rumoured to be dating influencer Kat Stickler. Photos: @katstickler, @johnmayer/Instagram
Fame and celebrity

Meet podcaster Jake Shane, who’s friends with Kaia Gerber and Glen Powell

Currently No 37 on Forbes’ 2025’s Top Creators list, Shane made his TV debut on Hacks and has interviewed Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco and Katy Perry.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Stephen Chow’s The God of Cookery proved he could do so much more

At a time when Stephen Chow was best known for his nonsensical comedies, The God of Cookery saw him transform as a filmmaker.

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Your Perfect Week

What to do in Hong Kong, September 14-20

Enjoy historic Chinese finery, sip island-inspired cocktails, laugh at Fringe Club’s improv, and savour a fine-dining reunion at Restaurant Petrus.

The A5 Wagyu dish, a collaboration from chefs Frédéric Chabbert and Uwe Opocensky at Restaurant Petrus in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Singapore

Singapore issues correction order to US comedian over censorship claims

The order requires Sammy Obeid to carry correction notices alongside his social media posts.

Sammy Obeid is pictured during an episode of “Last Comic Standing”. Photo: NBCUniversal/Getty Images
Singapore

US comedian alleges censorship after Singapore show cancelled

Sammy Obeid says his script was rejected despite multiple edits, but IMDA clarifies he sent the permit request only 10 days before the event.

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Editor's Letter

This week in PostMag: treats of the Tanka table and Asian comedians

The delights of indigenous Tanka cuisine that can still be found in Hong Kong, Asian comics blazing the stand-up trail, and a bike ride around South Korea’s Jeju Island.

Your Perfect Week

What to do in Hong Kong, August 24-30

Enjoy Baroque violin masterpieces, indulge in a funghi feast at Man Ho, sip cocktails at the Mondrian, and laugh with comedian Jason Strickland.

The Mushroom Consomme Symphony, part of Man Ho restaurant’s Yunnan mushrooms six-hands feast in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Fame and celebrity

Joe Wong, Ronny Chieng and the rise of Asian voices in comedy

Asian comedians were once forced to resort to stereotypes to find a platform – but a wave of pioneering stars is changing that.

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Joe Wong poses for a portrait after his Joe Wong: The Twin Tariff Show in Hong Kong. Photo: Alexander Mak
Hong Kong entertainment

He went from China to America to become a scientist. Now he’s a comedian

Joe Wong, who swapped lab work for live stand-up shows, is now bringing his blend of sharp wit and relatable humour to Hong Kong.

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American cinema

Review | The Naked Gun: Liam Neeson in hilarious police comedy reboot

Liam Neeson is superb as Frank Drebin Jr and Pamela Anderson continues to impress in what is likely the funniest comedy you’ll see this year.

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