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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.
Ling Man-lung as Mark (left) and Renci Yeung as his girlfriend Man in a still from Unidentified Murder (category IIB, Cantonese), directed by Kwok Ka-hei and Jack Lee.
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

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

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

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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.

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.

Robby Hoffman in 2024. The comedian was nominated for an Emmy for her role on Hacks last year. Photo: @robbyhoffman/Instagram
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.

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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.

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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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.

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.

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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