Nigel Ng: ‘The funniest book I’ve ever read? Infinite Jest’
The funniest standup I’ve ever seen …
Ronny Chieng. I remember when he first broke through, his “teaching my mum how to use technology” bit had me in tears.
The funniest sketch I’ve ever seen …
Key and Peele’s substitute teacher. I still rewatch that sketch a couple times a year – great premise and execution.
The funniest book I’ve ever read …
Infinite Jest. It was a book I read years ago in university. David Foster Wallace draws you in with these well fleshed-out but bizarre characters, and the situations they find themselves in lead to the humour.
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The funniest TV show I’ve ever seen …
Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Think I’m a bit late to the party on this one, but only started watching it in February. The writing is so tight!
The funniest film I’ve ever seen …
Rush Hour. Well, the whole Rush Hour franchise, really. I loved Jackie Chan growing up, watching mostly his Hong Kong film work. Seeing him in a Hollywood production was amazing.
The funniest heckle I’ve ever had …
I was doing a show in Malaysia and when I said I was 29, I heard an audible gasp in the room. I said: “Wait what? How old do you think I am?” And some lady yelled out “40!” and got an applause break.
The funniest meal I’ve ever eaten …
Wagamama’s. What a joke of a restaurant. Is it even Asian?
The funniest hairstyle I’ve ever had …
I tried perming my hair by myself in lockdown. It came out looking ridiculous – my hair was so damaged and crispy.
The funniest number …
The number 4. Chinese people think it’s bad luck. But it’s just a number.
The funniest word …
Smouldering.
Nigel Ng is on YouTube at mrnigelng. His Rice to Meet You podcast, which he co-hosts with Evelyn Mok, is available on all podcasting platforms
