Singapore Comedy Fringe 2014 takes place from April 23 — 26 and one of the highlights of the festival is the Malaysian Mirth Mafia show on April 24. The godfather of Malaysian comedy, Harith Iskander will lead out his henchmen, Rizal van Geyzel, Kavin Jayaram and Dr. Jason Leong in a 90-minute set to remember. We spoke to three of the Mafiosos before their big night.
Q: Tell us how Malaysian culture, politics and quirks have influenced your act.
Harith: Before I answer that question, please, have a curry puff and a overly-sweet drink. And by the way, speaking about politics, did I mention I know Datuk Seri personally? Now, to your question. That is a good question. A very good question. I like that question. Next question please?
Kavin: WOW! It has basically shaped all of my act. I am Malaysian, and basically a comedian would make fun of what they know best and love most. And that is Malaysia. I believe that Malaysians are the funniest people in the world, without even knowing it.
Jason: Being Malaysian, our observations inevitably come from how we Malaysians live our lives. So there are a lot of funny things that we have observed, like how Malaysians inevitably come late for everything. Malaysian politics challenges us, because our politicians are wayyyyyy funnier than us.
Q: What do you love and/or hate about your neighbours south of the Causeway? Can we expect a few potshots during your show?
Harith: I hate the fact that Singaporeans are so law abiding when they're in Singapore. I love the fact they act more like Malaysians when they come to Malaysia. Now, you were asking about potshots?
Kavin: To be honest, there is very little hate when it comes to our neighbours personally; some of the nicest people I have met come from Singapore. But then there is the elephant in the room that is the rivalry between these two nations and it is hard not to point it out. You can bet your house on potshots being thrown in every direction.
Jason: I personally love Singapore and Singaporeans. Singapore is an efficient, safe and clean city to live in. And all Singaporeans I have met have been civil, courteous and very friendly. I think people who hate on Singapore are just jealous. I have also been lucky to have formed very close relationships with Singaporean comics and we have become like family. I see Malaysia and Singapore like this – basically Singapore is Raymond and Malaysia is Robert in Everybody Loves Raymond. In that show, Robert is bigger, less successful and less popular compared to the popular Raymond, and no matter what Robert does, Raymond always outshines Robert.
Q: Do you think Asian comics get enough exposure?
Harith: Have you seen the sizes and shapes of most Asian comics? I am GLAD we don't get TOO much exposure. We will leave the “over-exposure” to other Asian stars like Maria Ozawa and Sora Aoi (I personally don't know who they are, those names were recommended to me by Rizal, Kavin and Jason).
Kavin: Nope! It is great to see our western counterparts getting lucrative TV, movie and even brand endorsement deals, but when will this happen in Asia? First, the industry has to mature; the audience has to completely accept the art of stand-up as a serious (pun intended) form of entertainment.
Jason: I think we are getting there. I always say that the rise of Asian comics is imminent. Hopefully one day we can get interviewed by something bigger than... What's this called? Coconuts Singapore? Maybe if we work hard enough we might get interviewed next year by Durian or Watermelon Singapore.
Q: How do you find a balance between jokes that everyone can get and jokes that only Malaysians will understand?
Harith: It's like the great Kung Fu Panda once said, “When you don't fall over, it means you have found the balance.”
Kavin: Well, many jokes that I do about my family and I are pretty universal and can be related to anyone, but many local references can be explained to a foreign audience and they will accept it at face value. If a joke is done right, anyone can relate, no matter how local the reference.
Jason: The best way is to keep gigging in different countries and see what sticks. It's easier to see what non-Malaysians won't get. Finding out what non-Malaysians find funny; now that's tough.
Q: Malaysia and Singapore are still pretty conservative countries; tell us a joke that will shock or anger the easily-offended masses (without landing either of us in jail, of course).
Harith: That falls into the category of 'questions that have no answer'– along with other classics like when your wife asks, "Do I look fat in this dress?"
Kavin: Recently there was a riot in Singapore. I feel bad for Singapore, I mean 27 Indians overturned a car and they call that a riot. How cute. In Malaysia, we call that Tuesday.
Jason: We have A LOT of shocking jokes that will anger ALL Singaporeans to the point where we will be deported on the spot, if not jailed. The jokes are so awful that for you to preserve your Coconuts, I suggest you tell your readership to come watch us at our show instead.
The Malaysian Mirth Mafia performs at 9:30pm on April 24 at the DBS Arts Centre as part of Singapore Comedy Fringe 2014. Tickets are available for $38 through SISTIC.
Singapore Comedy Fringe 2014 takes place from April 23 — 26 and one of the highlights of the festival is the Malaysian Mirth Mafia show on April 24. The godfather of Malaysian comedy, Harith Iskander will lead out his henchmen, Rizal van Geyzel, Kavin Jayaram and Dr. Jason Leong in a 90-minute set to remember. We spoke to three of the Mafiosos before their big night.
Q: Tell us how Malaysian culture, politics and quirks have influenced your act.
Harith: Before I answer that question, please, have a curry puff and a overly-sweet drink. And by the way, speaking about politics, did I mention I know Datuk Seri personally? Now, to your question. That is a good question. A very good question. I like that question. Next question please?
Kavin: WOW! It has basically shaped all of my act. I am Malaysian, and basically a comedian would make fun of what they know best and love most. And that is Malaysia. I believe that Malaysians are the funniest people in the world, without even knowing it.
Jason: Being Malaysian, our observations inevitably come from how we Malaysians live our lives. So there are a lot of funny things that we have observed, like how Malaysians inevitably come late for everything. Malaysian politics challenges us, because our politicians are wayyyyyy funnier than us.
Q: What do you love and/or hate about your neighbours south of the Causeway? Can we expect a few potshots during your show?
Harith: I hate the fact that Singaporeans are so law abiding when they're in Singapore. I love the fact they act more like Malaysians when they come to Malaysia. Now, you were asking about potshots?
Kavin: To be honest, there is very little hate when it comes to our neighbours personally; some of the nicest people I have met come from Singapore. But then there is the elephant in the room that is the rivalry between these two nations and it is hard not to point it out. You can bet your house on potshots being thrown in every direction.
Jason: I personally love Singapore and Singaporeans. Singapore is an efficient, safe and clean city to live in. And all Singaporeans I have met have been civil, courteous and very friendly. I think people who hate on Singapore are just jealous. I have also been lucky to have formed very close relationships with Singaporean comics and we have become like family. I see Malaysia and Singapore like this – basically Singapore is Raymond and Malaysia is Robert in Everybody Loves Raymond. In that show, Robert is bigger, less successful and less popular compared to the popular Raymond, and no matter what Robert does, Raymond always outshines Robert.
Q: Do you think Asian comics get enough exposure?
Harith: Have you seen the sizes and shapes of most Asian comics? I am GLAD we don't get TOO much exposure. We will leave the “over-exposure” to other Asian stars like Maria Ozawa and Sora Aoi (I personally don't know who they are, those names were recommended to me by Rizal, Kavin and Jason).
Kavin: Nope! It is great to see our western counterparts getting lucrative TV, movie and even brand endorsement deals, but when will this happen in Asia? First, the industry has to mature; the audience has to completely accept the art of stand-up as a serious (pun intended) form of entertainment.
Jason: I think we are getting there. I always say that the rise of Asian comics is imminent. Hopefully one day we can get interviewed by something bigger than... What's this called? Coconuts Singapore? Maybe if we work hard enough we might get interviewed next year by Durian or Watermelon Singapore.
Q: How do you find a balance between jokes that everyone can get and jokes that only Malaysians will understand?
Harith: It's like the great Kung Fu Panda once said, “When you don't fall over, it means you have found the balance.”
Kavin: Well, many jokes that I do about my family and I are pretty universal and can be related to anyone, but many local references can be explained to a foreign audience and they will accept it at face value. If a joke is done right, anyone can relate, no matter how local the reference.
Jason: The best way is to keep gigging in different countries and see what sticks. It's easier to see what non-Malaysians won't get. Finding out what non-Malaysians find funny; now that's tough.
Q: Malaysia and Singapore are still pretty conservative countries; tell us a joke that will shock or anger the easily-offended masses (without landing either of us in jail, of course).
Harith: That falls into the category of 'questions that have no answer'– along with other classics like when your wife asks, "Do I look fat in this dress?"
Kavin: Recently there was a riot in Singapore. I feel bad for Singapore, I mean 27 Indians overturned a car and they call that a riot. How cute. In Malaysia, we call that Tuesday.
Jason: We have A LOT of shocking jokes that will anger ALL Singaporeans to the point where we will be deported on the spot, if not jailed. The jokes are so awful that for you to preserve your Coconuts, I suggest you tell your readership to come watch us at our show instead.
The Malaysian Mirth Mafia performs at 9:30pm on April 24 at the DBS Arts Centre as part of Singapore Comedy Fringe 2014. Tickets are available for $38 through SISTIC.