Comedy Kingpins: Papa CJ, Harith Iskander, Paul Ogata, Ronny Chieng
Papa CJ Indian
TF: What's your warm-up routine before a set?
CJ: I have no other skills so first I remind myself, if I can't get the audience to laugh I'll have to kill myself or starve to death. I then remind myself that attempted suicide is a crime. Should I fail to kill myself I will go to jail and probably not survive past the first shower as I'm quite clumsy and sure to drop
the soap.
CJ: Inspiration is like death - it can come any time, from anywhere. I get it from people I meet, things I read, feelings I experience, situations I go through and often while on stage talking to people. I tell my father, who thinks I'm lazy, half my job is observing. If my eyes are open, I'm working! There are times when I wake up laughing in the middle of the night because I dreamt of something funny. I make sure to write it down immediately or else I forget it in the morning.
TF: What was it like being a top ten finalist on the TV show Last Comic Standing?CJ: All the American comedians were very excited about being on the show. They kept stressing 10 million people watch the programme. I remember thinking to myself, coming from India all I have to do is open my bathroom window and 10 million people will show up!
TF: Any memorable anecdotes as an amateur comedian?
HI: I was performing at a corporate function for about 300 people. Ten minutes had gone by and no one was laughing at my jokes except the waiters. No one even cracked a smile! I struggled on for another three minutes or so. I eventually ended my set 15 minutes earlier than anticipated. The audience didn't appear rude, they just wouldn't heckle or respond to my material. They just sat in their seats and looked at me as if I was speaking in a foreign language. I found out later I was performing to a group of South Koreans and none of them spoke English!
TF: Best and worst experience you've ever had on stage?
HI: I had both these experiences simultaneously off stage actually. I was once stopped by a complete stranger who spent 15 minutes praising my work, telling me how he and his workmates really enjoy my jokes. Later I found out he was a paediatrician! It reminded me of how I've always felt guilty for not studying harder or giving back to the community in some way. At the same time it made me realise what I'm doing does make a difference in people's lives and I can actually make others happy.
TF: Any tips for aspiring comedians?
HI: First make fun of yourself and be honest. It also helps if you look funny.
TF: When did you realise you were "funny"?
PO: I wanted to be a magician as a kid but realised I was just attracted to the lying and deception. Then I found out I could get a more genuine reaction from people by just being a smart mouth. I didn't need a fake thumb tip or a silly hat!
TF: Worst experience on stage?
PO: During a set as an amateur comic, I saw an elderly woman in the front row constantly shaking her head at me. I kept asking her what I was doing wrong but she wouldn't respond and just kept on shaking her head. At some point I just lost it and shouted, "What's wrong with you?" Her husband stood up and replied, "She has Parkinson's!"
TF: Where do you get your inspiration for jokes?
PO: Lightning strikes at any moment - and I immediately scribble it down in my notebook. I complain about a hair in my Chinese food and the waiter reaches in with his fingers to pull it out. Scribble scribble. I try to buy ice cream but the white shop assistant won't sell it to me. She thinks all Asians are lactose intolerant. Scribble scribble. The US borrows trillions of dollars to give to poor needy bankers and corporations. Scribble scribble. Stupid things happen all around the world. I'm the news anchor reporting the stupidity.
TF: How important is improvisation in your line of work?
RC: I think improvisation is the difference between a good comic and a great comic.
TF: How did you get involved in professional stand-up comedy?
RC: I was interested in it so I entered a stand-up comedy competition and won. This inspired me to keep doing it and I began performing at comedy rooms. I started with short, five-minute spots and then increased the duration of my sets. I guess I just got lucky with it.
TF: Who are your influences?
RC: Bill Burr, Australian Tom Gleeson, Louis CK and Michael Kosta.
TF: Any bad experiences on stage?
RC: It's always intense when performing to a room of comics - they don't laugh out loud and are constantly analyzing your jokes.
Book the hottest comedy ticket in town!
The Kings & Queen of Comedy Asia 2 is on at the Esplanade Concert Hall, October 28 and 29 October. Price: $38-$98
www.sistic.com.sg
www.knqofcomedy.com
Posted on Oct 2011
