Bfm :: Finding The Funny

Primaries, conventions, debates, and an endless parade of scandals. Those were the twists and turns of the US presidential election which provided many opportunities for comedy. Comedian Jason Leong and host Ezra Zaid break down some of the best bits this of the 2016 American election season.

A year into her foray as a stand-up comedian, Hannan Azlan has performed at comedy shows in Singapore and Hong Kong, and has also scored a spot on Astro's first English season of Komediri. A "graduate" of the Crackhouse Comedy Club, Hannan is also a musician and an actor. This month on Finding The Funny, Ezra Zaid sits down with one of the brightest talents to look out for in the Malaysian comedy scene.

The Second City is Chicago's iconic premier comedy club and school of improvisation, and it is one of the most influential comedy theatres in the world today. The theatre company is currently being helmed by Andrew Alexander, a major presence in the entertainment scene who is also known for his work in the hit television show SCTV. Ezra Zaid catches up with Alexander during a visit to The Second City.  

Seinfeld was an American phenomenon in the late 1980s to 1990s that is often described as "the show about nothing". The sitcom, which was created by comedians Larry David and Larry Seinfeld, paved its own way in American tv by drawing inspiration from minute details of real-life experience, becoming one of the most well-loved tv shows of all time while leaving fans, critics, and even crew members scratching their heads over its popularity. This month on Finding The Funny, Ezra Zaid talks to Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything, about the world of Seinfeld.

In its 7th year, the Malaysian Association of Chinese Comedians (MACC) continues to reach new audiences featuring the comedic talents of Douglas Lim, Kuah Jenhan, Phoon Chi Ho and Dr. Jason Leong. Right before their recent performance in KL, Ezra Zaid caught up with Douglas Lim backstage to talk comedy, pre-show rituals and what it's like to be on tour.

This month, we spoke to stand-up comedian Yianni Agisilaou from Melbourne, Australia. He recently developed a new show that focuses on how The Simpsons changed his life, having spent a lifetime quoting, referencing and learning from this popular animated television series.

Kopitiam, the award-winning Malaysian sitcom which ran for seven seasons, brought laughs to the local audience with the joys and struggles shared by six friends who work together to run a coffee shop. This month on Finding The Funny, we feature Ng Ping Ho, creator of Kopitiam, the TV series. Ezra Zaid also speaks to the cast members about their experience of shooting the Malaysian favourite sitcom.

Mary Tyler Moore brought a refreshing change to the American tv of the 1960s-70s. The character for which she is most well-known until today, Mary Richards of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, was a social phenomenon because of the progressive ideas she represented as a woman of her time. This month on Finding The Funny, Ezra Zaid speaks to Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of the book Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted, to learn about the life, career and influence of Mary Tyler Moore through the well-loved American sitcom.

Often described as "Singapore's answer to Jim Carrey" and cultivating a large following with his disarming comic persona, Gurmit Singh is a unique personality well loved by many. This month on Finding The Funny, Ezra Zaid speaks to Gurmit Singh about his iconic character Phua Chu Kang, his influences and his upcoming stage production, Laugh Die You 3.For your weekly dose of cinema on radio, don't forget to check out "At the Movies", our brand new show on all things film. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

Born and raised in Pearl City, Hawaii, Paul Ogata's stand-up comedy shows has been described as edgy, often-improvised, always-hilarious, and like a wild ride through the corners of his mind. This month on Finding The Funny, Ezra Zaid speaks to American stand up comedian, Paul Ogata.For your weekly dose of cinema on radio, don't forget to check out "At the Movies", our brand new show on all things film. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN.

This month, we'll be taking a look at Woody Allen: stand-up comic, writer and Academy award-winning director. He is the distillation of a certain kind of New Yorker: a product of Jewish existential anxiety, a philosopher-king of comedy. From the philosophical themes in his films, we also explore his brand of comedy by speaking to Mark T. Conard, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Marymount Manhattan College in New York.  

The doctor-turned-comedian has been making waves these past couple of years with his brand of comedy. It has taken him to glitzy Hollywood and New York right down to sold-out performances in Hong Kong and Singapore. Dr. Jason Leong joins us in the studio for this month's installment of Finding The Funny.

Noted for her often controversial comedic persona who paved the way for female comedians on the small screen, we take a look at the life and career of Joan Rivers: comedienne, actress, producer, talk show host and reality television star.

He has been described by critics as ‘an entertaining show that establishes him as a charming, funny comic with a likeability that burns bright'. Dilruk constantly weighs up his love for his life in Australia against time away from the people in Sri Lanka who’ve loved him the most. Ezra catches up with him during a recent stop to Kuala Lumpur on his previous life as an accountant and his current venture into comedy.

This episode is dedicated to Jon Stewart who recently signed off from his iconic political comedy show. We examine his contributions and special brand of sarcastic humour, often used to bring out the absurdity of modern political issues. 

As a Comedy Central favorite and a regular on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Butch Bradley doesn’t just warm up an audience, he sets them on fire. Ezra Zaid speaks to him about the world of show business and Hollywood — everything from his upbringing in Atlantic City to how he was inspired by the likes Rodney Dangerfield and George Carlin.

Peter Berner is one of Australia’s most popular and respected media entertainers. An incisive stand-up comedian, TV & radio broadcaster & cartoonist, he starred in BackBerner – a political satire sketch comedy television series — as well as a popular quiz show called The Einstein Factor. During his recent trip to perform in Kuala Lumpur, he dropped by our studios to share his thoughts about everything from painting to political satire.

The man behind late night, or as Time has put it “our comedy uncle, our after-hours pal” has called it a day after 6,028 episodes of Late Night and Late Show over a period of 33 years. Ezra Zaid covers the legend that is Dave Letterman in this month’s installment of Finding the Funny.

In this instalment of Finding the Funny, instead of featuring a particular comedian our host Ezra Zaid focuses on the theme of death - which by general consensus, isn't very funny at all. Join us as we explore the role of humour and comedy in dealing with grief, and the prospect of mortality, plus a selection of best quotes and jokes about death.

We spoke to actor, director and stand-up comedian Harith Iskander about his rise in the world of entertainment. We explore the challenges of being funny within the constraints censorship and how it has all coincided with the growth of stand-up comedy in Malaysia and the region.