Phoon Chi Ho did not choose comedy, it chose him

INTERVIEW | He is one of the pioneers of Kuala Lumpur’s underground comedy scene and many would remember him as one of the four members of the Malaysian Association of Chinese Comedians (alongside Douglas Lim, Jason Leong and Kuah Jenhan).

Phoon Chi Ho, 38, also emerged as runner-up in Astro’s Gelak Gempak 2021, Malaysia’s premier stand-up comedy competition in Bahasa Malaysia.

He is also an actor (Lari Hantu….Lari! and Hanya Namamu Laila), scriptwriter (TV series Small Mission Enterprise, Oh My English! and Club Mickey Mouse) and is well-known in the advertising world - having written, directed and acted in numerous commercials.

“I got into the world of comedy thanks to my college friends who, back then, had more interest in comedy than I did. I was into producing and theatre then.

"So, tagging along with them and being the one with a more 'structured' brain, I got to do most of the work, like writing scripts, dealing with venues and so on for my friends.

“It was only after five years of performing sketch-based comedy for colleges, festivals and corporate events that I got into stand-up. That was in 2008,” said Kuala Lumpur-born Phoon (above) in an interview with Malaysiakini.

“As a Chinese, I never set out to do any of these,” Phoon explained, referring to his varied career which is not exactly held in high esteem by the Asian community.

“After close to 20 years of being in this line, my mum still thinks it's just a hobby. I originally was dead set on a boring desk job, with the least human interaction possible, but when I joined my high school drama club to improve my English, our teacher in charge, Sukania Venugopal, pulled me aside and told me that I should 'do more acting'.

"I listened and today, if not for her motivation, I would have been doing a boring desk job and would have had more financial security.”

Comedy is a tough business. Asked why he decided that this was what he wanted to do with his life, Phoon said, “I don't think I chose comedy. I always felt comedy chose me. What I really wanted to do was to act, but with my face, comedy had an easier entry point and it was an avenue to perform something.

"For my very first stand-up comedy gig, I was offered RM200 to make the audience laugh and they laughed! I remember getting off stage thinking, "Wow, what an amazing experience... to get RM200 for just 10 minutes?

“But after doing it for more than a decade, I fell in love with comedy and I can't get out of it. Like an arranged marriage.”

The pandemic was tough on everyone and yet Phoon took a leap of faith and entered Astro’s Gelak Gempak 2021 competition and did very well.

He said the competition was just to test himself among his peers and also, to navigate through the boredom of the pandemic.

“When I finished as runner-up, I was surprised but I was more surprised that my peers didn't do better. I have so much respect for their style, hustle and craft that, sometimes, I forget I'm one of them,” Phoon said.

He is one of those rare people who can be funny in two languages, English as well as Bahasa Malaysia. Asked if a good joke is a good joke, no matter the language, Phoon agreed.

“You said it right. A good joke is a good joke. But as recent incidents in Malaysia have taught us, good jokes that are filtered through the brains of those without a sense of humour can be misinterpreted as truths or statements.

“And that can be potentially dangerous, as our community found out the hard way. This is why, as much as we comedians would like stand-up comedy to be more mass market, it will always be an acquired taste, rather than fast food. So, that's what we should cater for.

"The great George Carlin once said that a comedian's job is to know where the line is and deliberately cross it (to illicit laughter).

“Sadly, nowadays, more and more people draw their own lines using a steam roller for a paintbrush.”

Phoon said his jokes are from his own experiences and said that he gets jealous of fellow comedians who can joke about new girlfriends, new ex-girlfriends and sex.

“My only advantage is that I have two great sources of material - my two kids. I used to have a third source, but he's in jail now.”

Crackhouse crackdown

Phoon's paint-covered cut-out can be seen in several photos of the vandalised Crackhouse Comedy Club in Kuala Lumpur, which has been closed down by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

Sharing his feelings about Crackhouse Comedy Club and its owner, Rizal Van Geyzel, who lost the licence to operate a business in Kuala Lumpur, Phoon said, “I feel it is unfair when the people who caused the most harm in the whole situation were those who fanned the flames and instigated the matter, especially when they said they operated under a veil of 'peace'.

“If you look at the concentration of comedy clubs around the world, those are the places with the most vibrant, honest and mature societies. So, with the closure of Crackhouse, we must now question the vibrancy, honesty and maturity that our society pretends to have.

“I think the authorities aren't losing their sense of humour. I mean, look at their superiors. They are always doing comedy. I think people are losing their understanding and faith in comedy.

"So, it is our responsibility as comedians to bring comedy to where it once belonged - full houses of people of every race, of every culture, laughing with one another, laughing at each other, and ultimately, laughing as Malaysians,” Phoon reflected.

Asked about seeing his cut-out covered in paint, Phoon jokingly said,” As someone who looks forward to doing more acting, I'm just happy to have some make-up on.”

Phoon said he is currently creating TV shows these days and is hopeful that one of his shows will be on one of the top streaming platforms.

He also started his own company, Laugh Labs Entertainment SB.

“I started this company out of spite for talent agents who take a higher percentage of the agent fee than they should and leave talents underpaid.

“So, in the beginning, Laugh Labs was created to represent me in any negotiation. Today, I'm happy to extend this service to a larger talent pool.

"Yes, sometimes, having to split my brain up into business and creative hemispheres can be tough, but I enjoy it.

“It's like a drug to me. The moment I stop, I will fall sick. Like, sick 'sick'. Oh, did I mention that my wife works overseas and I take care of my two kids on my own?” Phoon asked.

As a comedian, he said, he liked the works of George Carlin, Demetri Martin and Don McMillan.

Locally and regionally, he has worked with Harith Iskander, Douglas Lim, Kuah Jenhan, Jason Leong, Rizal Van Geyzel, Shamaine Othman, Fakkah Fuzz of Singapore and GB Labrador of the Philippines.

Despite all the bad publicity, Phoon is optimistic about the local comedy scene.

“This is because those who are credited as the people 'affecting' local comedy have never paid to watch comedy. We are thankful for our regulars, as well as newfound fans, who kept coming back to watch us and hopefully, they will be there watching us at ‘Still Up, Still Coming’,” said Phoon.

Phoon will be joining Andrew Netto, Kavin Jay, Kuah Jenhan and Rizal van Geyzel in a comedy show “Still Up, Still Coming” on Nov 4 and Nov 5 at Stage 1 of PJPAC 1 Utama E.

Ticketing link: onetix.com.my

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