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

Fame and celebrity

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

Fame and celebrity

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

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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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.

Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter co-star on comedy series Hacks and walked the Critics’ Choice Awards red carpet in matching outfits. Photo: @paulwdowns/Instagram
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.

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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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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Sarah Sherman is famed for her physical comedy – but she knows how to get glammed up, too. Photo: AP
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.

Jordan Firstman in 2021. The actor is currently starring alongside Rachel Sennott and Josh Hutcherson in I Love LA. Photo: @jtfirstman/Instagram
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.

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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Stephen Chow in a still from The God of Cookery (1996), which he also directed. The Film saw Chow move away from the popular mo lei tau (“nonsense”) comedic style of his earlier films.
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.

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.

Lam Lau’s boat noodles, in Aberdeen, Hong Kong, feature on this week’s print magazine cover. Photo: Jocelyn Tam
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.

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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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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Chinese-American stand-up comedian Joe Wong on stage in China in 2025. He will perform in Hong Kong in both English and Mandarin in August. Photo: Joe Wong
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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Liam Neeson as Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jnr in a still from The Naked Gun (category IIB), directed by Akiva Schaffer. Pamela Anderson co-stars. Photo: Paramount Pictures
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Have you seen these films by star Hong Kong directors Ronny Yu and Tsui Hark?

Chow Yun-fat and Sally Yeh charmed in Yu’s 1984 horror The Occupant, while Tsui joined Joey Wong and Sam Hui in 1985 comedy Working Class.

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Women and gender

Chinese officials not amused by ‘gender antagonism’ in comedy

Fame and celebrity

Meet SNL star Marcello Hernández’s architect girlfriend, Ana Amelia Batlle Cabral

Hernández has previously been linked to other celebrities, but his appearance on the Happy Gilmore 2 red carpet with Batlle marks the first time he’s made things official since hitting the big time.

Marcello Hernández and Ana Amelia Batlle Cabral attend the Happy Gilmore 2 world premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center, on July 21, in New York. Photo: Getty Images
Women and gender

Chinese officials accuse online stand-up shows of stirring ‘gender antagonism’

Zhejiang officials hope ‘rising stand-up comedy scene can become more rational and profound, with less division and more understanding’.

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Fan Chunli, a 50-year-old woman from a small rural village, has struck a chord in China with stand-up comedy about her divorce. Photo: iQIYI
Women and gender

Chinese university student’s expulsion sparks backlash

Fame and celebrity

Who is Anna Kendrick’s boyfriend, comedian Alex Edelman?

When Anna Kendrick went on the Call Her Daddy podcast last year, she explained why she doesn’t date men who haven’t been in therapy – so what do we know about her new beau?

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