Born in Malaysia, grew up in Singapore, studied in Australia and now a Daily Show correspondent in the United States, Ronny Chieng is a force to be reckoned with. The US-based award-winning comedian went on to play a supporting role in the 2018 Hollywood smash hit Crazy Rich Asians, and now has his very own Netflix special hitting screens worldwide on December 17. Aptly named Asian Comedian Destroys America, the one-hour show sees Ronny going all out on critics, his love-hate relationship with America and how the world could use more Asians – in his signature ranting style, no less.
The comic may still be a regular here in Singapore, but the Tone Issues Tour makes his first tour in the Lion City in over four years. Prior to his homecoming shows at the Esplanade Theatre on November 29 (7pm and 9.30pm), we caught up with the rage machine on life after Crazy Rich Asians, his time as a correspondent in The Daily Show and repping Asia on the international stage.
Hi Ronnie! What gets you excited about Singapore?
The food. And going to all my old stomping grounds when I was living in Singapore like Ah Chiang’s Porridge, Outram Park Fried Kway Teow in Hong Lim (Market & Food Centre), Tong Ah Eating House, and Boon Tong Kee.
You grew up in Singapore before moving to Australia. Any particular Singaporean quirks you find funny?
I think STOMP is pretty funny. It’s a hilarious collection of crazy news stories. People fighting over car park space, uncles fighting with tissue paper uncles, commuters losing it on the MRT. Basically people fighting and getting caught on camera is really funny to me.
You played the status-crazy Eddie in Crazy Rich Asians. Do you think the film changed the international viewers’ perception of Singapore?
After the movie, when I was doing the press circuit in America, no one I spoke to actually thought that Marina Bay Sands was an actual building. They thought it was all fake. But the movie did put Singapore on the map. Singapore was a character in the movie the same way New York is a character in a Woody Allen film. It got a lot of people interested in what Singapore could be. Obviously, it can’t show Singapore as a whole but it did pick up the highlights that got people intrigued to know more. Everyone at The Daily Show watched the movie, and they started talking about Singapore’s food scene.
Plus, the impression that the Marina Bay Sands gives on how Singapore is a rich, first-world country with crazy architecture gets people interested in the city. Goes to show that there are Southeast Asian countries – not just Singapore – that aren’t poor which counters the stereotype that it’s a poverty-stricken region.
The Daily Show is known for cleverly blending news and satirical humor. And your viral comeback at Jesse Watters in 2016 was brilliant. Does it come naturally when reporting as a Daily Show correspondent?
I first spoke to John Oliver when I got the job, and learn how to be a non-American correspondent on The Daily Show. Most of it is scripted, writing it with a team of writers.
Has The Daily Show influenced your journey as a comedian?
Yeah, a hundred percent. I learn a lot about comedy and comedy writing every day. Plus, I learn how to be a better performer. The Daily Show might just be the Harvard Business School of Comedy. You can improve yourself, get as many contacts and be exposed to so many resources.
You didn’t go to Australia to become a comedian. In fact, you were training to be a lawyer. What inspired the full-time switch?
I couldn’t get a job so I just went on to do comedy.
How would you describe your comedy?
Pretty aggressive. A little bit assertive. Very much observational.
You’re stopping by Singapore as part of your Tone Issues Tour. What can fans expect at the show?
I’m not going to list the topics I’m going to talk about, so you’ll have to come. But if you like my comedy, you’re going to enjoy the show.
With comedy festivals, tours, and even a Netflix special, how do you keep your set fresh?
With my personal schedule, I will try to write a new hour of comedy every year. The way I keep it fresh is every night in New York City, I do five to six shows a night and every night I try to work on new material. For me, it’s always about the next funny joke. I draw inspiration from everyday life, talking to people.
Okay, now we want you to tell us the first funny thing that comes to mind on the following:
(a) Durians
I’m so sick of getting foreigners to try it. We get it, you don’t like it but we do!
(b) Merlions
I love how it became an icon for Singapore even though it had nothing to do with anything in Singapore. There are only two – one in Sentosa and the other at Collyer Quay. How come there are only two in the whole country?
(c) Trevor Noah (who recently performed in Singapore this year)
He’s the best! He gave me a job.
(d) Donald Trump
Yo, we talk about this guy on The Daily Show every single day!
Tickets to Ronny Chieng: Tone Issues Tour on November 29 at 9pm are still available from $68 via Sistic (tickets to the 7pm show are sold out).
