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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.
Gong Li and Stephen Chow attend a promotional event for Flirting Scholar in 1993. Gong rose to fame as the muse of China’s Fifth Generation directors, starring in art-house classics such as Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern and Farewell My Concubine, but found time during the 1990s to make a batch of lesser-known commercial films in Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP
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

Fame and celebrity

Meet comedian Morgan Jay, who went viral for his auto-tuned musical acts

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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Stephen Colbert attends an event in New York on December 9. Photo: AFP
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.

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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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Your Perfect Week

What to do in Hong Kong, September 14-20

Enjoy historic Chinese finery, sip island-inspired cocktails, laugh at Fringe Club’s improv, and savour a fine-dining reunion at Restaurant Petrus.

The A5 Wagyu dish, a collaboration from chefs Frédéric Chabbert and Uwe Opocensky at Restaurant Petrus in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Singapore

Singapore issues correction order to US comedian over censorship claims

The order requires Sammy Obeid to carry correction notices alongside his social media posts.

Sammy Obeid is pictured during an episode of “Last Comic Standing”. Photo: NBCUniversal/Getty Images
Singapore

US comedian alleges censorship after Singapore show cancelled

Sammy Obeid says his script was rejected despite multiple edits, but IMDA clarifies he sent the permit request only 10 days before the event.

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Editor's Letter

This week in PostMag: treats of the Tanka table and Asian comedians

The delights of indigenous Tanka cuisine that can still be found in Hong Kong, Asian comics blazing the stand-up trail, and a bike ride around South Korea’s Jeju Island.

Your Perfect Week

What to do in Hong Kong, August 24-30

Enjoy Baroque violin masterpieces, indulge in a funghi feast at Man Ho, sip cocktails at the Mondrian, and laugh with comedian Jason Strickland.

The Mushroom Consomme Symphony, part of Man Ho restaurant’s Yunnan mushrooms six-hands feast in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Fame and celebrity

Joe Wong, Ronny Chieng and the rise of Asian voices in comedy

Asian comedians were once forced to resort to stereotypes to find a platform – but a wave of pioneering stars is changing that.

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Joe Wong poses for a portrait after his Joe Wong: The Twin Tariff Show in Hong Kong. Photo: Alexander Mak
Hong Kong entertainment

He went from China to America to become a scientist. Now he’s a comedian

Joe Wong, who swapped lab work for live stand-up shows, is now bringing his blend of sharp wit and relatable humour to Hong Kong.

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American cinema

Review | The Naked Gun: Liam Neeson in hilarious police comedy reboot

Liam Neeson is superb as Frank Drebin Jr and Pamela Anderson continues to impress in what is likely the funniest comedy you’ll see this year.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Have you seen these films by star Hong Kong directors Ronny Yu and Tsui Hark?

Chow Yun-fat and Sally Yeh charmed in Yu’s 1984 horror The Occupant, while Tsui joined Joey Wong and Sam Hui in 1985 comedy Working Class.

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Chow Yun-fat and Sally Yeh in a still from The Occupant (1984). Photo: Handout
Women and gender

Chinese officials not amused by ‘gender antagonism’ in comedy

Fame and celebrity

Meet SNL star Marcello Hernández’s architect girlfriend, Ana Amelia Batlle Cabral

Hernández has previously been linked to other celebrities, but his appearance on the Happy Gilmore 2 red carpet with Batlle marks the first time he’s made things official since hitting the big time.

Women and gender

Chinese officials accuse online stand-up shows of stirring ‘gender antagonism’

Zhejiang officials hope ‘rising stand-up comedy scene can become more rational and profound, with less division and more understanding’.

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Fan Chunli, a 50-year-old woman from a small rural village, has struck a chord in China with stand-up comedy about her divorce. Photo: iQIYI
Women and gender

Chinese university student’s expulsion sparks backlash

Chinese university student’s expulsion sparks backlash
Fame and celebrity

Who is Anna Kendrick’s boyfriend, comedian Alex Edelman?

When Anna Kendrick went on the Call Her Daddy podcast last year, she explained why she doesn’t date men who haven’t been in therapy – so what do we know about her new beau?

Fame and celebrity

Meet Abby Elliott, who plays Jeremy Allen White’s sister on The Bear

Abby’s portrayal of Natalie Berzatto, aka Sugar, earned her a Golden Globe nod, but her family’s no stranger to fame – her father was in Schitt’s Creek and her hubby worked on House of Cards.

Fame and celebrity

Meet Leo Reich, the Gen Z comedian starring in Lena Dunham’s Too Much

Reich faced struggles at high school due to his sexuality, which he turned into the foundation of his comedy – he was a member of the Cambridge Footlights and will soon head up a series on Channel 4.

Meet Leo Reich, the Gen Z comedian starring in Lena Dunham’s Too Much. Photo: @leo_reich/Instagram
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

The Hui Brothers defined Hong Kong comedy in the 1970s. How they fared later

We revisit three of Michael Hui’s best films as a comedy actor and co-screenwriter, aided by brothers Ricky and Sam, from the 1980s onwards.

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Michael Hui (in glasses and apron) and Ricky Hui (in chicken suit) in a still from Chicken and Duck Talk (1988). The Hui Brothers, which included Sam Hui, defined Hong Kong comedy in the 1970s with films like The Private Eyes, The Contract and Security Unlimited.
Fame and celebrity

Comedian Margaret Cho on Asian representation and humour in ‘a horrible time’

Cho says humour is the one place people can find some comfort with a US government that’s ‘against everything that makes us American’.

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TV shows and streaming video

Profile | ‘I represent the weirdos’: Asian-American stand-up star Atsuko Okatsuka

The Taiwan-born comedian talks about finding herself as a performer and smashing stereotypes as her new special Father hits Hulu and Disney+.

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