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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.
Jacky Cheung (left) and Stephen Chow in a still from Curry and Pepper (1990), a film that Chow starred in before his breakout role in the God of Gamblers spoof All for the Winner.
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Curry and Pepper showed Stephen Chow’s comedy genius before superstardom hit

The 1990 buddy cop film was released less than three months before All for the Winner turned Stephen Chow into a superstar in Hong Kong.

Get to Know

All about Sarah Jane Nader, who was spotted on a date with Pete Davidson

Chinese overseas

Rolling in the aisles: Jenny Yang tours US grocery stores with comedy show

Obituaries

Bill Oddie, wildlife champion and Goodies star, dies at 85

The British comic actor built a beloved second career as a bird expert, conservationist and nature presenter.

Bill Oddie with a Peregrine falcon in 2004. Photo: PA via AP
Fame and celebrity

Meet D’Arcy Carden, who plays Brooke in The Five-Star Weekend

The Emmy-nominated breakout star of The Good Place, starring Kristen Bell, was a nanny for comedian Bill Hader’s kids before her big break.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Kung Fu Soccer: Stephen Chow loses his touch with Shaolin Soccer spin-off

Dilraba Dilmurat and Zhang Xiaofei lead a team of female football martial artists in Chow’s film that falls far short of its 2001 predecessor.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Elliot Page’s comedian girlfriend of Hong Kong descent, Julia Shiplett

The Umbrella Academy star hard-launched his relationship with Shiplett last year; the pair later made a glamorous red-carpet debut at Milan Fashion Week.

Julia Shiplett and Elliot Page at a Gucci event in September 2025. Photo: @juliashiplett/Instagram
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Unidentified Murder: twisty Hong Kong comedy shows admirable ambition

This award-winning comedy about an online prank that ends in a murder is a quirky story underpinned by the performances of its lead actors.

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American cinema

How Jim Carrey took a dark turn for 1996 stalker comedy The Cable Guy

Carrey’s turn as Matthew Broderick’s pop-culture-obsessed tormentor left viewers confused in 1996. But 30 years on, it seems oddly prescient.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Pang Ho-cheung’s early black comedies disrupted Hong Kong cinema

The writer-director’s You Shoot, I Shoot (2001) and Men Suddenly in Black (2003) injected a dose of dark satire into a waning local industry.

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Eric Kot (left) and Cheung Tat-ming in a still from You Shoot, I Shoot, Pang Ho-cheung’s 2001 directorial debut.
Fame and celebrity

Meet Ashley Padilla, the SNL breakout star in upcoming romcom The Catch

She worked as a waitress and as Diane Keaton’s assistant, and was on the verge of giving up comedy – then her sketch made it to the Netflix Is a Joke festival.

Ashley Padilla will star in romcom The Catch, to be released in 2027. Photo: @ash.padilla/Instagram
Timepieces

May’s hottest watch moments and major new releases

An unlikely pocket watch tie-up went viral, Kevin Hart dazzled with luxury watches at his Netflix roast, and Omega released a James Bond special.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Sharla Cheung excelled next to Stephen Chow in 1990s Hong Kong cinema

Sharla Cheung Man’s cool glamour and movie-star looks were a feature of 1990s Hong Kong cinema. Here are some of her best films.

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Anne Hathaway

Meet Anne Hathaway’s The Devil Wears Prada 2 press tour stylist, Erin Walsh

The actress has been rocking designer fits on the press tour with Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt – and her stylist once worked at Vogue.

Stylist Erin Walsh was joined at her book launch by The Devil Wears Prada 2 star Anne Hathaway. Photo: @erinwalshstyle/Instagram
Fame and celebrity

Meet Matt Friend, whose comedy charms stars, presidents – and King Charles

Friend, whose CNN comedy special aired ahead of the White House correspondents’ dinner, is gaining acclaim for his celebrity impressions.

Comedian Matt Friend’s CNN comedy special, America Laughs With Matt Friend, aired ahead of the White House correspondents’ dinner weekend. Photo: @themattfriend/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

Hoffman grew up in a Hasidic Jewish household and almost became an accountant – she’s also currently starring in HBO’s Steve Carell-led Rooster.

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Celebrity children

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

The 24-year-old previously appeared in Coming 2 America alongside her Emmy-winning father – and has spoken about being a nepo baby.

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Bella Murphy and Eddie Murphy at Netflix’s Roommates premiere. Photo by AFP
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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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.

Anthony Norman attending a screening of Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat in California. Photo: Getty Images
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.

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