2014 was a pretty big year for Ronny Chieng – winning the MICF – Directors’ Choice Award, and Best Show Award at the Sydney Comedy Festival, not to mention being nominated for Best Comedy Performer – Helpmann Awards 2014 and even Cleo Bachelor of The Year ! Described by the Herald Sun as “… sharp, he’s funny, he’s quick-witted…” Chieng will soon present his award winning show to Adelaide Fringe audiences.
The Clothesline emailed Chieng a few questions and here is what he told us:
First comedy gig; when and where and how did it go?
“March 2009 at University of Melbourne Campus Comedy Competition. I won.”
What drew you into performing comedy?
“I watched Seinfeld when I was a kid and it was something I thought I could do.”
Favourite comedian?
“Tom Gleeson, Bill Burr, Andy Kindler, Louis C K, Jon Dore.”
Favourite joke you knew as a kid?
“That joke from the opening of Desperado” [Click HERE to watch it]
Most famous person’s number you have in your phone?
“Don’t really want to say!”
Favourite movie line?
“I can do Jack Nicholson’s ‘You can’t handle the truth’ monologue by heart.”
Best gig, worst gig and why?
“Hard to pick a best gig – opening for Dave Chappelle, opening for Bill Burr, doing my own show at the Enmore Theatre and at the Melbourne Town Hall’s Main Hall.
Worst gig – plenty as well. I got boo-ed off the stage at a music festival in WA once. Some people were just not in the mood for comedy.”
Job you currently perform in your alternative life when not performing comedy?
“None. This is all I do. This and TV shows. And sometimes radio.”
Your porn star name [first pet/first street]?
“Bob Riverside.”
What is your hidden talent?
“I can flip the finger with my right foot (as in raise the middle toe of my right foot).”
Tell us something that people don’t yet know about you.
“I can flip the finger with my right foot.”
Favourite childhood memory?
“Playing in the snow.”
Celebrity meet that left you star-struck?
“Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Eddie Izzard, Chelsea Handler, Dave Hughes, Wil Anderson, Tom Gleeson.”
Pet hate?
“Poor hygiene.”
Secret crush?
“Rosamund Pike”
Time travel; where would you most love to go and why?
“Back to the time of the Dinosaurs. I’m super curious about that.”
How do you deal with annoying people who insist you tell them a joke once they discover you are a comedian?
“I tell them they are being very rude.”
What’s something from your childhood that you still love and have today?
“My sense of humour.”
Best or worst advice you were ever given?
“Your tastes will change with age.”
Best or worst advice you ever gave?
“Let’s eat KFC today.”
A missed opportunity that you would give anything to go back and try?
“New York Bar Exam 2011. I gave it a shot but I couldn’t get the job done.”
Has anyone literally wet themselves laughing at one of your shows?
“I think so, yes.”
What’s the best chat-up line you’ve ever heard/used?
“Do you go to the Gym much?”
Favourite or worse heckle you’ve ever had?
“You suck.”
If you were a flavour of ice cream, what would you be and why?
“Pistachio. Different but accessible.”
Ronny Chieng performs You Don’t Know What You’re Talking About at Palace Nova Ezi-Max from 7pm on Thu Mar 5 until Sun Mar 8.
Book at FringeTIX on 1300 261 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.
Image courtesy of Kristian Dowling
