So I reiterate here, the bill is dead.
The story of this great city is about the years before this
night. We are free.
Hey everyone, welcome to Ho Ho Hong Kong with me Vivek Malvani
and He. I am Mohammed Magdi.
There we go. That's right, we are here again.
You're listening to our voices. If you feel there's something
different about a voice, it's your headphones, not us.
Yeah, it's not. Yes, our voices are very clear
and professional. We have done this for so long
now. Correct.
We know the mic proximity has to hold the angles.
We know what the sound of the is.
Yeah, all that stuff. We also, yeah, every time we're
setting up the video, it now gets faster and faster A.
Little faster, yeah. So we're actually getting into
the producer mode as well, as well as being the host.
But it's a beautiful day here in Hong Kong.
We're recording on the weekend as we usually do.
It's a little cold, but it's also like, not like, upsetting.
Yeah, it's one of these weird times where you're like, I like
this. I do still want to stay in bed,
yes, but I don't want to not leave my bed.
Yes, and it's OK if you want to like make a quick run for like
coffee or something. It's not like, Oh yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll put it this way, this is
how it judges whether I like the weather or not.
It's like if I want to stay in my hot warm shower and not
leave, it's a bit too cold. Yes, I agree with that.
I mean, I should want to go for a shower and come out refresh
and ready to rock roll and not be like, just just another
moment, Yeah, come on. Or even when you leave the
shower and it's like cold in the room, like outside.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Moment over there.
Yeah. So there, that's our weather
take of the week. If you are feeling something
different, you probably have a fever.
You know really gives up Checked.
It's highly unlikely that you have a bubble of heat around
you. No, it is just you, cream.
Yeah, you might actually. Exactly.
You are the source of your own heat.
Yeah, exactly, Confucius says. You are the source.
You are. Heat is the source around you.
You are the heat of your source. Is it?
What? So the heat of your source?
This is a typo. Yes, one of these cookies were
cheap. Yes, exactly.
It's from Taobao. Yeah.
So we we had had a few gigs recently that are quite
interesting. We might have mentioned not long
ago we started collaborating with the Hong Kong Grand Opera,
which is pretty exciting. That's right, the Hong Kong
Grand Opera is the worst. Like, is that the way they
pronounce it? Hong Kong Grand opera don't have
to go like Hong Kong Grand Opera.
They tried that and I walked out of the meeting so they knew next
time I'm not having it. Well, I didn't think you'd go
like HKG. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's
also. Did the meeting end only when
the fat lady sang? Yes, every time.
Every time. Everyone's thinking the same
thought, yeah. We started working with them and
it's pretty cool because these created this thing called stand
up opera. Basically they want like a
regular opera show, but they want a stand up comedian to host
it and just like, you know, inject some humor into it and I.
Just give them 100 marks for creativity over there with the
name Stand Up Opera. Stand up Opera.
Oh yeah, We we're gonna come out and stand up.
Yes. With some Oprah.
Yes, guys, I got it. I got it.
There was a grandma there who was like standing up the whole
time. She's like, oh, I thought it was
like watching Oprah was standing.
That's good to stand up. Why is this guy telling jokes?
I would love her to sit down, lady.
And leaves halfway. Like, why are you leaving?
Like this is not Oprah Winfrey. Yeah.
Stand up Oprah anyway, yeah, yeah, they're they're really a
nice guy. Shout out to Joyce and and
Eugene. Obviously big company.
So that one of the the main shows is like the big fucking
every few months. They have like 3000 people or
whatever over like multiple nights.
Yeah, wow. So set up opera obviously is
much smaller scale at the Fringe Club, at least for now.
And we have been going. I've been producing The Stand
Apart, but last one I actually hosted it with Annie.
It was like a live theme or whatever.
Yeah, but it's also cool because they give us a synopsis of every
Aria and I've actually never attended opera.
Have you attended? What I.
Mean, yeah, it's a song. Yes, that's that's what you
call. It oh, they're too good for
song. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
This is you say song. Someone will be like, yeah,
like. We don't sing songs.
Yes, we songs. Deliver ayas yes.
London Bridges. That's a fucking song.
Yes, London Bridges. That's an Aria.
Yep, not just that, it's also it has to be in a language you
don't understand. That's the second part.
We did 8 Arias in the last one and seven of them were either in
Italian or German. So the last one was Phantom of
the Opera, which Opera, people will tell you, is not a fucking
opera. Apparently it's such a big deal.
Yeah, because opera's in the name.
Yeah. Everyone thinks it's an opera.
It's not an opera, OK. And people get really mad when
the you tell them. Oh.
I watch opera too. Yes, I watch opera too.
I saw something. Like no.
So, but that one was my favorite because it's the only one I
could understand. They did it in English.
So I guess the equivalent would be if someone says I'm a big fan
of stand up and they're like, what did you last watch?
They're like Mr. Bean. Yes, yes, exactly.
It is funny. He's very good, yes, but it's
not. OK, never.
All right, fine. Yes, exactly.
So, but yeah, we go in kind of in between Arias and you know,
we introduce the next one. We also do stand up like up top
of every segment, like the first and second-half.
But the whole thing is really interesting and I would really,
really encourage anyone who is like half slight.
So the way the they described like the audience they want to
attract is the bi curious people.
Bi curious? Oh, like curious in two ways,
yes, that's not very curious. Two ways.
Just two. Ways I would have thought if.
You're curious about more things then you cannot.
Come. Oh wow OK yes I will never
attend them. So it's either stand up audience
who are curious about opera or the other way around.
Oh, that's what they meant by bicurious.
Yes, yes, yes, yes. OK, Got.
It so if you are bi curious, yes that show is for you.
The next one is on the 6th of March, also at the Fringe club
and we will be doing the the comedy part.
I'm not sure which who's hosting?
Might be, might be you, we'll see someone would be hosting but
either way it's a lot of fun. Check it out.
What Have you seen an opera in Hong Kong before?
In Hong Kong, no. I've seen Broadway's.
That's not an. Opera I I'm let me, let me think
Opera. Have you seen any opera at all?
I think like you know the the. Problem is, I have a feeling I
have. OK.
And I don't remember. I don't remember, but I'm pretty
sure I would have seen some equipment because I do recall
seeing an imagery of this person, like really going for
long breath. Yes.
This one. Yeah.
I cannot recall exactly which one it was.
Or was it like just one of these variety shows?
They didn't happen to have an operating somewhere.
Yeah, but not enough for me to have a monocle.
Yeah. Or like have like you know?
So many different words. The next one is called the The
Theme. It's called No, God damn it.
You mean the Yeah. Yeah, the show of the Grand
Opera show. Hold on, so the last one was
what? Love what?
Love vibes only. Love vibes only.
Yeah, yes, of course. That's so deceiving 'cause when
you hear love vibes only, like, oh dude, let's could check this,
that it must be like a really cool reality show.
Then you come in like, no, it's no.
So on the the next one which is the the March 6th 1 is the theme
is I'm just pulling up the script quickly.
The Hong Kong Grand Opera. They have a bunch of people who
sing an opera. Oh yeah, it's called No tenors
Allowed. No tenors allowed, Yes.
Oh man, that's gonna be funny when they don't take $10 bills.
Yes, it's like a British person saying here's a tenor tenors.
Allowed. Yeah, so I didn't know what a
tenor. Do you know what a tenor is?
T and the R. Middle voice singer.
Right. Yeah, yeah, the high, I think
the highest one, the high pitched 1, I think it's like,
yeah, yeah, nothing high. That is so good because like,
first of all, that would be the equivalent to everyone's
response during Chinese New Year.
No. Tenors allowed.
Like give it one, I'll give it another purple no nobody likes
anyway. No tenors allowed.
You can't pay with $10 bills and you don't have anybody high.
Yes, all right. Yeah, those are all the rules
for your life. So.
Oh yeah, I was saying that I love it.
If you did what you don't recall very much watching one.
I sat through a couple of shows now and, you know, enjoyed my
work on it. When I'm watching what they are
doing, Yeah, I have no fucking idea what's happening.
So you see, So even when I'm. So there was one about
Cinderella, for example, like I knew the basic story.
Yeah. And I kind of rephrased the the
the part that they're going to do.
The introduction. Right.
The introduction and it was like, funny and, you know, got a
laugh. And then the lady started
singing. Yeah, but she's also singing.
It's like where they do it like they sing and like kind of act
it out. Oh, there's also drama involved.
Yes, well, basic drama. It's not like a.
Full How long? How long was the Aria?
Each each one is like 5 minutes. 5 minutes, Yeah.
So they can kness the whole Cinderella story.
Yeah, yeah, the floor. Look in the mirror.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Stuff like this.
But then even though I knew it's a, you know, a popular story and
I know what the story is, and I just read the synopsis, I'm
watching her. I'm like, there is no chance for
me to understand that this is Cinderella.
No chance. She's just like holding like I
think the prop that she could use like teddy bear or
something. OK, so, so could you like
describe because I'm very curious now what it was like.
I mean, yeah, so so you're like, all right guys, now believe it.
Well. Yeah, I can.
I can read you. Oh, I wouldn't have my notes.
Here I don't have like a. You would.
I made. Yeah, I reiterated in a funny
way. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I made fun the part of I think, yeah, I think one of the things
that they give us, the part that she's about to do is the part
where like she, the Prince is actually from the prince's point
of view that he wants to, he doesn't like any of the girls
that who are super aristocrats. So he's going, yeah, he wants
some basic one, right. So I joke about this is like the
equivalent of modern day man who's like, I don't like dating
apps. I don't like, I like to meet
people in real life. I'm like, aren't these people
annoying? Just like making fun of it.
And then so he, apparently the Rossini who wrote the piece,
yes, that they're about to do, inserted himself into the story
like he was. The Prince, then.
No, he was the prince's servant. He inserted himself in the story
as a prince's servant. Well, good balance of humility,
and yeah, I wouldn't be part of it, but I could be the humble.
One, I can be the humble. No, but there is a there is a
twist here. He inserted himself in the
story. And then because the Prince
wants to find a commoner with real emotions, Yeah, he swapped
with his servant. So he's like, oh, I'm going to
pretend. Yes.
And so he made himself, ultimately, the Prince.
All right. First of all, from a very DEI
point of view, that's extremely wrong.
Yes, I want to be of a lower level.
You come here, I will be used. Exactly.
So actually my bit which I'm very proud of, I said this is
the modern day equivalent of swapping, swapping seats with
your helper for the day. And I said so you can go enjoy
karaoke, Filipino karaoke with your helper friends and your
helper can enjoy the air conditioner in the house for
the. First time in her life, yeah.
Oh, man, even though, yes, it's clear what's happening, you
know, we told the story, made jokes, brought out the woman and
she's just. So here's.
Yeah. So I want to get an imagination.
Yeah, yeah, I want to get the imagination.
Okay, so. I bring her up.
So the song scene is going to be when the Prince now wants to
find a basic bitch. I think so.
OK, alright, well I give the synopsis, but that's that's I
know in part. I don't know when she start, you
know what I mean? Like this is a general synopsis.
She has 5 minutes and there is some singing.
Yeah. And then what is happening?
Otherwise I have no clue. Because it's in Italian or what?
It's in Italian, Yeah, it's been using.
Yeah, yeah. So does she have a prop with her
when she comes out? She had like a teddy bear.
She was a couple of times too, yeah.
So I don't know if what even it represents or is just her own
personal teddy bear that she just used for comfort.
OK, so it doesn't make it like the Prince is supposed to be in
the scene now and she has a teddy bear.
I'm guessing now we've just jumped in the scene where
Cinderella's sitting over there lost one of her shoes.
She's like pissed off and there. Was no shoes and no.
She's no OK. OK, so.
That's why I'm like, it's another part of the story, I
think. Maybe it's a parallel universe.
Yes. Yeah.
Like, it's like, it's like Cinderella, you know, like how
on in Soho, near the escalators, there's this redneck cellar
terrace. Yes.
And the story is that they wrote the name backwards.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Alexander was written up.
This might be the reverse version.
This is like, not Cinderella as Ala Rez.
Yeah, Ala Rez, Yeah.
So she comes out, she has a teddy bear, yes.
And she's going to mascarpone, Yeah, stuff like that, and then
start singing. Now at what point is there
change of this scenario? Well, the whole thing, it's at
the fringe club and, and one of the, whatever they call it, the
Milky Way or something. Oh, the dairy.
The dairy, yeah, with the whatever all.
Right. I've had too many things
recently. Yeah, it's the theater.
So it's like all on the same level.
There's no the stage is not being used at all.
Oh, it's on the floor. It's on the floor.
All of it is on the floor. We're on the floor.
Everyone's on the floor. And the stage is empty.
Sage is empty. So you're in a circle
surrounding this woman? Well, the audio no the audience
are like sat on the tables like. All but closer to the door, the
performance, the. Performance is standing like in
the middle like so we're all kind of like on the.
Level of audience, OK. Which I don't mind at all.
That's actually fine. Was there any like smoke and fog
and stuff like that? No effects?
No. No, it's quite no production.
Yeah, yeah. No spotlights or nothing.
Right there, there is a spotlight.
Oh, this one. But it doesn't like follow
anyone or anything. It's still pretty basic, OK.
But then yeah, again, she is moving around and she actually
at some point she went kind of like in the middle of the area,
went like into the door with at least to the bathroom and the
question and it came back and then the whole thing and then
like exited the scene. I guess that's the queue to
exit, which actually exits from the main door.
That's when we're like where? People come in from yeah, she
left. She went home, basically.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, She went home. Yeah, but the whole time, teddy
bear in the hand. Yes, I think she left him on the
table, on the on the chair a couple of times on her own chair
and then walked out. And that's when we're like,
yeah. But then it's I'm give the
Cinderella story because it's a famous story.
Every one of them was kind of similar where, you know, I'm
like, OK, here's a story and then here's these people singing
and I have no idea what's happening.
It's like the Aztec art piece was so.
Abstract. This is talking about the
portrayal of life. He's looking like there's a red
dot. OK.
What you're trying to say is we're just a done deal.
And also for the record, they might hear this and fire me
immediately. No, I guess, but I genuinely
have no idea people will be. Curious.
Yeah, I need to see how weird this is, right?
It's yeah, I mean, if you guys have seen Oprah and you know,
they're like, no, you idiot, when she does this, this means
this or whatever. They could be like, like little
little secrets. Yes, yes, yes.
So. Like maybe the teddy bear stands
for something. Yes.
And if had we done any sort of opera research, we noticed teddy
bear signifies the love between the Prince who's trying to find
a basic woman. Exactly.
But it's signifies. The bumper Who's underpaid and.
One of those yeah, it's like a whole story behind this is
because the teddy bear always has a smile while being very
small and cute. But also sometimes they squeeze
the squeeze the teddy bear to heart so it kills it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
So here you are, 5 minutes. She's going like, what?
Blah, blah, blah. Yeah.
And then leaves from the main door.
Yes. Was there that moment of
everyone like yes, yes. Every time, every time, every,
all 8 songs. Never know.
I mean, there is one like the very end, the Phantom of the
Opera one, this last one and before that also.
That's obvious. The last one is always like a
bit grandiose and you can see the actors go back going over
the top. Yeah.
Because like, the main thing. Yeah, Yeah.
And then like, bow down and stuff.
That's when you're like, OK. This is easy.
But every song before that was always like, is it?
Is this it? It's always the moment.
OK. And then there's like, at least
like 1 1/2 seconds, Yeah. Before the first person starts
clapping. Oh.
Yeah, we got, we got. Luckily we as the host had the
cue cards with the duration of the IS, so we knew.
So a couple of times we prompted the clap because.
We knew it was over. Yeah.
OK. Yeah, I think that's necessary
because a lot of people really don't know that at all, okay.
And if you as the host started clapping and they actually
didn't clap, that's even worse. Yeah, if they didn't finish,
that's even worse. Right.
Say this actually in tycoon I saw during Christmas time, they
always invite these circus acts. Yes, when I say circus, not like
clowns, it's like proper like yes, yes, more nonverbal acts,
right, And you actually have a tycoon star standing there.
But like the sign says, please sit down to watch show.
Stuff like that. Yes.
And they will clap at the points where it's like, oh we should be
clapping. That's like the the late night
shows. They have the applause.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yes. Yes, and I realize that that's
not an US thing. That's like everyone.
They're like, no, you don't know when to clap.
So let me tell you, idiot. Wow.
OK, OK, OK, so that's one song. That's Cinderella.
Yes. I believe the whole night had
not just Cinderella right as a whole.
No, no, there is a whole bunch of all love vibe I have.
Yes, I have the original script, like the original synopsis, but
then our own script we wrote outside and then put them on cue
cards and I don't have them here.
And then, yeah. So they're all like, well,
that's another thing. They're not all love story.
I guess. Again, it's so high level that I
ignore. So the first like two or three
ones were actually like love suicides.
It's not even like. Juliet kind of model, yeah.
It's not even that. It's not like actually it's more
suicide than love and anything else.
They're like, very. So the synopsis talks about how
this person kill themselves. Yes, yes, yes.
Yeah, I mean. Like synopsis I can read for
you, just a couple, at least the first one because I have them
right here. So the first one is let's see if
everyone's like, Oh yeah, of course we know that.
So, all right, opening deliverables.
So this will be the song number one of the night after you've
done your 10 minute set or whatever.
Yes, exactly. Yeah, Yeah, We just started
like, very, very, like mild. Yeah, yeah, like not much.
And then yeah. So the first one is Uzo Polong
Beliziazia from Piki Dam. Do you know Piki Dam?
No. Do you know Tchaikovsky?
You know? Tchaikovsky.
Tchaikovsky Yes, yes, you've heard of that.
You're already tuned out by now. You can't even say it right.
I also did Philharmonic shows a couple of times and then his
name came Bob. Yeah, he's like a monster.
Oh. Yeah, this guy.
Yes. So, OK, so this is the first
one. OK, we're opening with this.
All right, let's go. Lisa, who's apparently
pronounced Lisa. Lisa.
Whatever. Liza is betrothed to a Prince.
Also it has a whole Shakespeare English, yes.
Betrothed to a Prince, but is in love with Herman, who is, you
know, her station. Oh.
OK, OK. Oh, yeah.
Here we go. Now we're talking this I get
now. OK, yes.
The Prince up over there, she's like, oh, I want me some of
that, that Perez. Yes.
But then her heart's like. But what about Herman?
Herman yes. Herman.
Below her station, which could sound dirty and because it can
be physically below her. Station, I can tell you now just
from that opening sentence, Yeah, It's destined that she'll
be with Herman. Yes, because it's Herman.
Actually, Herman is addicted to gambling.
Oh, now we all know Herman. We, we, we all, we all know that
she's going to be attracted to the bad.
Boy. Oh yeah.
But also, I use this to to insert a joke about the The
Jockey Club and I'm like, Speaking of which, did anyone?
In my 6. Down the mark 6 or And I said
try to survey the audience. Anyone else lose money on the
Mark six? Yeah.
And no one raised their hand. Yeah, OK, I guess.
And they're like, let me tell you, there's no such thing as
losing money. There's an opportunity I gave a
shot at, like, all right, all. Right, all right.
Lady, I got it. Her man is addicted to gambling,
Yes, Yeah. In trying to get the secret
winning hand from Liza's grandma at gunpoint.
Whoa, So Herman has her. Grandma has a secret formula to
win this game. He goes up to her.
He's like, bitch, give me that. Give me that info.
Yes, and then he accidentally kills her.
Accidentally. Accidentally kills her grandma.
Yes. OK, OK, OK, OK.
Liza's chilling third act, Arya, she sings.
I am very wary, worn out with suffering.
I'm exhausted with grief. Where is the joy I once knew?
She then killed herself by jumping into the river.
Oh damn. Wow.
And then you're like, welcome to love viability, everyone.
Exactly. So I don't even know about like
we rework this, we're doing something funny and we made fun
of it so, but this is what we're given.
Oh man, this is. So good and this is the opening
are. You like, Hey guys, I know you
came for a good nap, but let me tell you, OK?
Yes. How many of you have grandma's?
Some of you are grandma's. Do you know someone?
Yeah. Or one of your daughters or
whatever. And Herman needs some info from
you. You're like, where you going
with this man? Like, because if he ever has a
gun pointing at you, yes. Do not test.
Him, yes, just give him the information.
Because he doesn't know how to use that fucking thing.
So I did say Annie was introducing this one, and I did
say responding to her was, I know this is sounds like
depressing, but I would let you know that this is the most
uplifting song we have today. The next one is about starvation
in Africa. That's a joke.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And but this was the most
depressing one. Yeah.
And I think from their logics, like we just want to get the
crazy one out of the way. Man, which is the gamble for
sure. Gamble dude.
I wouldn't start with that. People were like, what am I in
for today? But then again, on the other
hand, yeah, I think it's more depressing when you tell them
what it is because no one fucking understands.
Yeah, you know what I mean. Like I would have just thought
it was a so Arya that I enjoyed. Yes.
And now you're like, wait, did I listen to this whole thing is
about this person killing themselves.
Yes, and the grandma be. I don't want to be a part of
that. Exactly.
Oh, man. This is like, this is where they
should have like the abridged version versus the real deal.
Yes. I mean, the abridged version of
this story will be simple. OK.
Liza likes two guys. Yes.
One of them wasn't perfect. Yes.
And so because he was not perfect, he seeks help.
Yep. However, he was so bad at
seeking help that he unfortunately hurt her grandma
in a way that she would never be happy about.
Right, Right. And it was like, oh, I can see
the struggle, you know? Yeah.
You know. He was, you can see, everyone's.
Yeah, You know, he had some problems.
He was trying to solve it. He couldn't figure it out.
And he was so bad that he hurt somebody.
Yeah, I made I I do that mistake too, you know, if I don't make
mistakes. Yeah.
Please start singing. Yes, I would have been there.
Yeah, yeah, you can relate. Yeah, you're like analyze that,
eventually kill the cell you're. Like after the grandfather died.
Yeah, like, well. And Herman is still, I don't
even know. It's not clear whether he
gambling. Yes, exactly.
Still gambling. And for all you know, you bought
life insurance off Eliza. Yeah, Gets more money, gambles
even more. You know what I mean?
Like. Probably joins her in the river
after exactly after he loses all the money.
Oh man, I want to read you the the Cinderella one and then.
Oh yeah. No, actually there is one that I
also thought is interesting from Mozart.
It's the the real, the word. The German title is Bay Modern,
and then there's a bunch of German I really can't trade.
Ish going. Yeah, OK, I'll try to read B
modern. It's workingly B full in forget.
It. Forget it from di Zuberle
Flutie, which is the the floating.
What is it called from Mozart? There's the flying flute or
whatever. I have no.
Idea yeah, there's something. Flute, where can you tell that
you're just so? Agricultural, I cannot, yeah,
I'm sure when I hear like, oh, that one, yeah, yeah.
Yeah. OK.
So the synopsis is Papa Gino, who's a Birdman, Papa Gino, Papa
Gino. Dude that is like such a cool
name. It's a very cool.
Name. It's like such a typical, like,
let's say a rap. Yeah, it's Papa Gino.
Papa Gino Papa Gino in the. House.
Papa Gino in the house. And in the synopsis it says the
Birdman between brackets, not the movie, so they're already
being funny. Announces to Pamina, a Princess,
that her mother, Queen of the night, Yeah, has sent Tamino, a
Prince who is a Prince, to save her life.
Now we already have 4 characters.
We have Papa Gino, Yeah, Pamina who is a Princess, Yeah.
And then Queen of the Night, which is the mother of yes.
Doesn't have a name. No, it doesn't have a name, just
the the Queen. The Queen of the Night.
This feels like Fortnite characters man.
Yeah, I said it's like a not a character from Game of Thrones.
Yes, we actually have Well, not we the Game of Thrones has the
Night King. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
She's. Queen of the Night, Yeah.
She's queen of the night. Then, then, then.
Queen of the Night. Queen of the Night.
Yeah. So the the Birdman sent Tamino,
who is a Prince, to save her. OK.
Now.
Birdman's like Tamino go there and say queen on the day, yeah.
All right, so Pamina, rejoice. Pamina rejoices to hear that
Tamino is in love with her after seeing drum roll photos of her.
Oh. Anybody see what?
Yeah, exactly. We don't know what photos, but I
also didn't know they had photos at Mozart time, I thought.
Everybody can have, you know, it's not only you that has fans.
Okay, yes, it's not you that only has fans.
I think it's yeah, okay. They I don't I I want to imagine
the photos. What do you think?
I look my view because back in those days the photo had to have
a big ass machine and stuff like that.
Yeah, she definitely put her heart into it.
She's got like with all that set up, she's like, dude, this
better be a good. This better?
Yeah. This better.
This better be worth it, yeah. And again, remember back then
there was no, like, publication of the magazine and stuff?
Yeah. So literally even the most
boring of photos would be sufficient.
Yep. To be.
Oh, this is tantalizing. What's his name?
Michael Che from SNL has this bit about how, yeah, people,
people sending Dick pics back in the day.
And it's like like, imagine when you're doing it on this crazy
big thing, big ass thing. And then his motion thing is
like, he's just like doing the photos, like, like we're shaking
his arms, like, yeah. And then like puts it in an
envelope with a stamp is like wait till Tiffany see this in
five to seven business days. Exactly so good so.
Good. Exactly.
Yeah, OK. So see.
The photo. So I was like, oh, La, La.
Yeah, Pamina is very happy that Pamina is in love with her based
on the photos. All right, that's a that's a big
jump to go from just a photo to love.
I mean, like, I feel like, you know, people back in those days,
dude, they like I was really, they're really in touch with
their emotion that they knew this is love.
Or they're very desperate. Really desperate.
Like dude I love whatever. Sure, just.
I think they are desperate just simply because the the the
expected, the life I expected of the time was like 25.
Yeah, dude, yeah. If you're 32 in their time,
you're like considered the oldest person in the world.
That's. Bizarre.
That's true, actually. You're like, dude, I have any
feeling that's going to be love for me.
Yeah, I don't care. I'm exactly.
I'm going to die next year anyway.
From from disease that now they prevent by washing your.
Hands. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.
She offers sympathy and hope to Papa Gino, who longs for a wife.
So she's got some person chasing her yes and Papa G was like man,
you lucky she's like well, you know, you find yours too.
You find yours. That's the worst man.
That's a typical girlfriend like, like, you know how the the
pairing's always that tall, slim girl with the little.
Child. Yes.
Like you'll have your. You'll have your one day too.
Is like, yeah, exactly. Yeah.
That that's basically a synopsis we were given.
We joked and I joked about when when the when we said the line
of he fell in love with her with their photos.
I said that's also How I Met Annie.
And then I said I saw her. I saw photos of her Papa Gino
which doesn't even. Make sense?
But it's just funny. Yeah, exactly that.
What was that? It's about Papa.
Gino. It's Papa Gino.
Oh yeah. I think I'm in love now.
Yeah, those are the kind of yeah, it's very good.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So yeah.
Then then the second-half when it actually starts getting
uplifting. So that the intermission,
there's intermission, everyone. This was a lot to digest when
you take a intermission. Yeah.
And like, let's say the Broadway theaters, you'd have an ice
cream stand on the corner, stuff like that.
Oh, wow. That's pretty cool.
Yeah, it's pretty cool. So, yeah, if you if you haven't
checked this out, please do. There is, Yeah, a bunch of them
again, including the the Cinderella one.
Yeah. Oh, yeah.
So this, the Cinderella one was the last one.
We'll, we'll do. Yeah.
So remember the story I told you.
This is what the synopsis was and the original version.
All right. OK, so first of all, the
Cinderella story, the the title is Kume Onape Nu NI Gurini the
the priel. Can you read the Komi unapi Is
what I said and then. Call me Unapi and Giorni da da
priel from la Sene rentola Rossini Jeremy. 6.24 minutes.
There you go. Oh, OK, I guess that's the name,
right? They call me Unapi.
Komi Unapi is the title. Call me unapi.
Yes, Giorni da priel from LA Cineri Cola.
I can already imagine the little title, like the little cover
photo you make of us. Like opera singers, Like tight,
like ballet. All right, All right.
You want to read that? Yeah.
We did the central version of Cinderella.
There are no shoes. Oh, this is a censor thing?
What? OK.
Yes, that's, that was weird, Yeah.
This is the showstopper entrance area for the Princess Valley and
mischievous sidekick Dandini. Yeah, so Dandini is the is the
main character here because Rusini the the composer or
whatever was couldn't help but insert himself into the story.
Dandini. Rosini.
Yes, Dandini. Rosini Yeah, that's pretty good.
You know what's funny, though? Like this mischievous psychic,
like, shows up in the scene with a dramatic entrance.
Yes. Yes, it's like Dantini.
Yeah, that's probably what it is.
It's not the hamster look. No, you know that that the
hamster look. Yeah.
It could be a Dantini.
Yeah. All right.
If you don't remember Prince Charming having a sidekick,
that's because Rossini. Oh, you know what?
This will be so good to have, like, background music.
OK. Yeah.
So be like. Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding,
Ding Ding Ding if. You don't remember Prince
Charming having a sidekick? Great.
That's because Rossini added himself to the story with the
wonderful character Dan Danny. And then cheers of yeah, yeah.
In this version, Prince Ramiro doesn't want to get married
because all the girls in his Kingdom that's super visual and
pretentious, like the mama's daughters of the unbelievably
Dawn Magnifico. Yeah.
Wow, OK, this is so. He exchanges identities with his
servant Dandini, and this Prince plays a servant in the hopes of
finding a girl who likes him simply for himself.
I want people to like me for who I am, not because I have so much
money. Yeah.
If you don't like me, when? When?
When I'm down, there's exactly you don't deserve me at my best.
Right. So not for his royal title
exactly, Of course. Yeah.
God forbid anybody likes you because of that.
Yes. Well, Dandini is having the time
of his life playing aristocrat. OK, OK.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. So let me tell you this again,
this is one of those things that it's where life comes in full
circle. The people like become rich and
everything and they're like, I gotta get my Lamborghinis, my
this and that. And they come full circle saying
like, oh, that doesn't give me happiness.
Like we've been telling you that from day one.
Exactly why didn't you even bother?
You could have just listened to an older person saying it does
not buy you happiness doesn't. Dude.
Sometimes it makes you a tool like Elon Musk.
Yeah, you know, you like, and sometimes it may make you happy,
but it doesn't give you happiness.
Yes, exactly. It's one of the.
Yeah. Also like if you are him, you're
probably happy because you're already loose.
In the head, Yeah, exactly. It's like, yeah, relax,
whatever. OK, so there we go, the classic
story of the Prince Go. Like I have everything, but I
don't have the one thing, which is me.
Me. For all we know, that's probably
what the singer was doing. And again I have no.
Oh, so OK, OK, OK, now let's use our our art gallery.
What's the word with the people? That connoisseur the art?
That's the word that they say. The person who sets the
galleries up. Curator.
Yeah.
Let's curate our version of this game.
So this the the whole song with that singer having the teddy
bear, man, The teddy bear signifies the title.
The pride, yes. The Prince and all the riches,
yes. And the whole time, the struggle
was I just want to be me. But this is part of me.
Yeah. It's attached to me.
And the struggle of like, walking around around looking at
people like you don't have a teddy bear.
Yeah. Why do I have this teddy?
Bear right looking around, it's my burden.
It's my burden. That's his name.
Burden. Yeah.
Burden. Yeah, man.
Right. So things around.
Looks at the whole room. Nobody has a teddy bear and
realizes, you know what I need to do and to leave this universe
and start a new life where teddy bears don't exist.
Yes. Put the teddy bear down and
leaves. Walks out on Windham Rd.
Yeah. Windham goes to Beirut Beast.
Exactly. Yeah.
And the truth is, if you find yourself walking out on Windham
St., Yes, pretty basic, dude. Like, like, don't think.
Oh, I'm a Windham St. No, you're not, dude.
You're 1 of many basic people. Yes, yes.
If you want nothing special. Yeah, you like, you could
literally be living on the peak and stuff and you're on Windham
St. Yeah, nobody gives a shit.
No one gives a. Shit, I think that's the signal.
That's the that's the transformation.
They were like, I'm at the dairy at French Club.
I feel special people looking at me.
I'm, you know, I'm on the title, on the poster, everything.
I can't, I need to just be a basic part of the public.
I need to be a sheep in the herd.
I can't be the lion. I can't be the elephant.
Walks in Wind St. like finally nobody cares.
I'm one with the people. I finally if a.
Guy sees me for Yeah. Imagine we're talking last week
if you won the lottery. Yeah.
You're like, everyone wants a piece of me.
And then you just, like, walk on the street and you're like, no
one knows. Finally, I want $25 million.
Yeah, I'm free. You know what, all the end of
that, it's for a lot of people what they call in Chinese Jiang
Fuho, which is like the invisible millionaire.
Yeah, so. I would have been the invisible
millionaire. Right.
And I think that's the thing. That's where the sweet spot.
Yes, yes, yes. When you don't want people.
To know you don't be Lee Cashing.
Yeah. You walk around.
You can't walk around. Even Alan Zieman comes like
people know who he is. Yeah.
You can walk around the central area, yes.
People probably have the same net worth anyway.
Yes, yes, true, but. Anywhere else, like no, I can't
go there, right? Yes.
So I think, yeah, you have to be well off enough, humble enough,
yes, but people know, yes, over that caliber, but they don't
feel like, Oh my God, look at this guy.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's cool.
That's the thing. So I think that was the whole
thing. So again, that was probably what
they were talking. About probably been you if I
didn't blast you so many times on the podcast for having many
apartments. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It could have been you. Now I walk in the street like,
oh, it's that guy, that guy, that guy.
He has two hands and both hands hold keys.
He's like, OK, then, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
Didn't we look up your net worth before in the podcast?
No, it was on the website right? Weird, I'm like that's not true,
but if it is then I'm there's an account I'm not looking at.
Yes, exactly. Yeah, Yeah, yeah.
Maybe like, yeah, you should ask the people behind the website to
send you the account they found. Literally just go down to HSBC
like this guy how much yes and they're like not enough for.
I encourage people, I don't even know if that's the thing in Hong
Kong, but I encourage people you're not going to lie to, to
file a Freedom of Information Act to try to find out this
information, this information. The the problem is this is that
like my accounts are fine now with like the palms and
everything, but again, the the technically asset worth is in
the apartments, yes. So now it's down to the property
price. Yes, yes, yes.
I'm quote, quote, quote network. You know, yes, yes.
Yeah, but the way things like. So technically every day I'm
losing money because the property is going down.
Oh. No, every moment.
And and and every day I'm losing money and you're doing fine.
See what I mean? Yes, yes, yeah.
And that's the benefit of being poor everyone.
But Speaking of the of people who are doing well, we have a
fantastic message from our patron, Arash.
So if you guys remember Arash from a couple of weeks ago, we
did give him a shout out because he signed up for the whole year
with Patreon. It's super cool.
We figured he's in Canada because he signed up in Canadian
money, which we all know is not real.
It's just like I learned from South Park that everything in
Canada is not. Real.
Yeah, right over there. Even the people who are like,
you know how they have the South Park, the character, the main
character, yeah, but in Canada they're worse.
Yeah, the faces look different. They cut them up.
Yeah. Even the cars are square wheels.
Yeah, yeah. I, I, I highly encourage people
to find the, the South Park episode called the Royal
Pudding, which is sovent as is a Canadian royal wedding.
It's so fucking funny. And I didn't even just look up
South Park the royal pudding. It's a Canadian royal wedding
and it's definitely worth it. So Arash, message us going ha
ha. Guys, I've been so busy.
So I was catching up on the podcast episodes and the Patreon
episodes. Patreon is patreon.com/hoopod
where you can join Arash and many other wonderful listeners
slash viewers and supporting us $5.00 a month.
Really nice. And when you sign up for the
whole year like Arash, you actually get a good discount.
So OK I just heard the multiple shout outs.
So hilarious. Thanks guys.
I feel like a celebrity laughing emoji.
Happy to support your cause and justice.
FYI, I do live in Vancouver, Canada, so we got that right.
My wife's family is originally from Hong Kong and over the
years I've spent a lot of time there.
It's my favorite city in the world.
I will be there next in the fall with our family, including two
my two Cantonese speaking little kids, six and three.
Hey, good for you. Nice.
Oh and don't worry, my wife doesn't listen to the podcast so
she has no idea I wasted our business class seat budget or
the Patreon subscription. Amazing.
Yeah, smart move, smart move. And then he have one note for
me. He's like oh and MO, I'm
Persian, not Indian. Oh, the last line after the
compliment Exactly. But you do it.
By the way, yes, I'm Persian, not Indian, but something lasses
walks away from these. Yes, exactly.
So I figured in my racist heart that Arash is definitely an
Indian name. Yeah, and not only that, I mixed
him up with Rahul, who's another actual.
Name actually who's actually, which I bumped into at the gym
the other time. Yes, first of all, very cool.
Came over and said hi. Yeah.
And it was like, you do your thing.
Yeah, that's. Nice.
I appreciate that, actually. Yeah.
He was like, busy.
I was busy. But we respect each other.
You do a thing. I'm like, yeah, smart woman.
We're here for a mission. And yes.
So Arash is actually Persian, so if you see him, tell him he's
Indian. Anyway.
Yeah, yeah. So yeah, Patreon we do.
We did the share something last week on the Patreon that is
definitely too hot for this, so I'm going to leave it there.
You can even figure it out from the title.
Go to patreon.com/hopod, listen to it.
We have like a few seconds preview for each episode as well
and join us. It's cool to support before we
go. You had you had something like a
gig I was asking you about before, but I was asking.
We're briefing about the opera stuff, yeah.
My God, I, my brain is completely blank right now.
We were talking about a gig I'm doing, man.
What gigs do I have that I have to be doing?
Well, I mean, I have the LCSD thing coming in June.
That's the Chinese, big Chinese show that I'll be doing, my
Cantonese show. Oh, nice.
Yeah, that's talking about that. So.
June 27, 2829 I'm doing a solo Cantonese show, Nice part of the
Pop Culture Festival of Hong Kong.
Nice. Yeah.
So is that the government? Thing yeah.
So like it's actually going to be the first time LCSD actually.
Is collaborating to do stand up comedy?
Yeah, it's really cool. We take dramas and all that
stuff. Yeah, yeah.
Where is it? It's.
Going to be a Shawn Civic Centre.
Yeah, Nice. So that's a big deal.
And I'm hoping, I'm hoping, I'm hoping that that will open,
yeah. That's why that's what opening
is. It's hoping to open.
It's opening. Yeah, I'm hoping that that will
be the beginning of a lot of comedy.
Yes, in with the government, yes.
When I still with the government, they are still
thinking that comedy is not really a performance.
Yeah. Are you talking?
Are you singing? Are you, are you dancing?
What's going on here? Right.
So if that goes well, and obviously ticket sales is one
key aspect, but also me being funny is another one, Yes, so
is. It just you.
It's just me. I every night I have one opening
act, one Chinese New comedian. I want to give them a chance as
well. Yes.
So other than that, I mean, The funny thing is that they're so
used to having like the dramas and big productions.
They're like, so what's your production?
I'm like me, yeah. Like, what do you want?
But isn't that good for them? They're like, Oh yeah, great.
But they're confused because they're like, I, yeah, we need
to have is this, but what is the backdrop?
What's this? I'm like.
Secondly, nothing. Yeah, yeah.
Just have a light of. Yeah, it's fine.
And I was OK. You know what, let's try to work
things out. We'll have a little more
production value to it. Even though I'm like this is
unnecessary but I get what you. Mean, OK, I mean, if they really
held Bent, but like, did you try to be like, hey, why don't you
see like, you don't have to do this and give me the money?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Like what? You try to do that.
There is that as well, but then it doesn't justify government
stuff. You have to explain why this Oh
my God, I get it. It's fine.
I mean, at the end of the day, the thing, the way I look at it
is really just the fact that they even reached out because
initially I told. Them they just reach out cold.
So because I've worked with LCSD on other events as entities,
whatever they know of me, and when they contacted me, I said,
hey, we're going to be doing the Laugh Festival, Yes.
Why don't you consider doing the Laugh Festival?
Yes, You know, something like that, Yes.
The lineup of the best of Hong Kong and everything.
I literally wrote them a proposal.
Let's say Tim Chan, Jordan, love me all stuff and all these new,
new guns and everything, right? They're like, no, I just want
you. Yes.
OK. All right.
I guess we're going that way. I guess also if they researched
everyone, I think you're like probably the safest for like the
cleanest and safest. Both Jordan and Tim have
material that can be considered correct.
You know, for the government is like.
Yeah, we're not going there. Yeah, we're not going there.
And but it's also funny because you don't have that, but you're
also not like going there doing propaganda for them.
I'm not. Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.
It's it's weird, but the good thing is, I look at it this way,
is that the fact that they considered comedy?
Yes. All right, This is the
beginning. That's really good.
And if I can open that one door, of course I don't need to go
back through that door again like my all means.
Everyone please enjoy that door. Of course, yeah, we'll see.
But I feel like that has always been kind of your role anyway.
In a way, yeah. I've had.
I've been blessed or grateful that I get these opportunities.
And one thing I am proud of myself is that I'm able to
execute with these kinds of chants where I'm like, all
right, let me let me give them Peace of Mind that it'll work
out. Yes.
Yeah. Yeah.
Because a lot of times it comes
down to Peace of Mind because I spoke to them.
They're like, you know, working with a lot of artists in Hong
Kong, you always have the ones who are like, I'm too artsy for
this or that's how it works, or they're just disorganized.
Lucky for me, my little bit hectic way of working allows me
to be like, not really on top of things, but I will not miss out.
Yes. Yes, you get it.
Yeah, You stay on top of it like yeah, yeah, yeah, because.
Be done. It will get done because you can
work. Crazy hours or whatever.
And also like I have my things I won't like forget it.
It's just that I haven't gotten to it, but it won't be
forgotten. Yes, you know, so therefore,
like a lot of things that last time ahead of time.
OK, so you need this do would you need this is they're like,
Oh yeah, OK, I'm like, great, I'll get it done for you.
I was like, I remember in the beginning it was actually I
think New Year's, 28th of December or something like that.
They they called me and still like, hey, I'm really sorry, but
is it possible for you to get like the poster ready by this
weekend? I'm like, first of all, I have a
whole set of photos ready. Yes.
That I've taken from before. Yeah.
And you want me to get posted on the weekend?
Sure. I do it.
So it doesn't matter. Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So it's really bizarre because I
do have a full collection of my own little post photos I've
taken from other stuff. And I have it there and I could
edit it immediately. Make the.
Yeah. So they're like, oh, my God,
you're a lifesaver, Mike. Yeah.
Let's go.
But then on the other hand, and I think this almost feels like
I'm interviewing you for this, wouldn't you worry a little bit
about like a government contract with for stand up in general in
terms of content and like so bringing stand up into the
spotlight of the, you know, the attention of the government
rather. Yes, there is that.
However, I feel that right now this scheme is not big enough
where government officials are going to be sitting there to
watch it, right? But it's like, this is a
festival they do every year, right?
They need to have stuff in it, get it so the government can
like, yeah, sure, whatever, you know, that's what we do, just
have stuff. So Hotmail is very vibrant and
active, Sure. And also I would say right now
they seem to be pretty open with me content wise.
And not like are we see what you gonna say.
Also, because I work with them, they kind of.
I have a. Little you're already kind of
past their whatever they are in the beginning.
Because I have worked like done MC for their Asian ethnic
cultural performances every year and they love me because I'll go
and take care of it and like I will like so that festival that
that performance actually every year around November time and
Cultural Center, they will have a lot of different ethnicities
doing performances right And a lot of embassies will support it
right from Saudi, Saudi Arabia. I.
Remember. Yeah, you do.
That's here. Yes, yes, yes.
And like, I'm able to go there when the council generals are
there, I will go up and approach them and talk to them, make me
feel comfortable. Sure.
Tell them, hey, what's going to happen later on.
And LCSD loves that. They're like, dude, if you can
handle them and make sure that they're not, yes, they're like,
all right, well, nice. I love you.
Yeah. So I'm fully aware of what
they're looking to have and definitely like, they're like,
you know, we trust this guy. We show him respect.
Like, I'm sure he knows what you're doing.
So I didn't have that. OK, yeah, I see.
I mean, it is obviously exciting.
I, you know, from from our side, like the English side and like
hopefully, you know, looking ahead would love to to, you
know, do more things like this. It's obviously always tricky
with with the government stuff because, yeah, as I said, like
from a producer point of view here is like, OK, but so it can
feel like one of these things that like you step, like you
try, you became too ambitious and that kind of like became
your yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Because if you go into their
spotlight too much to be like, hey, so who are these guys
again? Yeah, yeah.
And then you start looking like, oh, we don't like this or
whatever. I mean, so the way I see it is
like the arts festival, yes, Hopefully when you do something
like this, like the arts festival, like if they're doing
that, that means it must be of this level, Yes.
And hopefully, fingers crossed everything goes well.
Let Arts festival whatever will now say, OK, let's have some
comedy. Yes, exactly.
And boom. And I mean, of course, yes, they
must know that the young people are not looking for the, you
know, the old school like Xiang Chiang or whatever, like they
want. To they want your songs, not
Arias. Yes, exactly.
They want to hear proper songs. What is this?
Yeah, yeah. Do come to the next.
Check it out man. See what this is about?
Yeah, it's also if you're a student, they have student rush
tickets. I think they're whatever, half
price or something. But until then, you can also
come to live show at the backstage comedy.
We have a bunch of stuff. We have a yeah, Anirban Das
Gupta. That's pretty much half, half
sold already. So it will sell out.
Yeah, Resolving Diesel is coming.
Simon Goodson is coming on the February, on the February 20th.
And then we'll just keep adding shows.
It's going to be a big year I think for for all of us,
hopefully in Hong Kong. Until then, support the
patreonpatreon.com/your Pod. Find tickets for Vivek's tour in
Australia. Yeah, it will be on
aunz.funnyvivek.com. It's all Cantonese shows.
But hey, if you have a Cantonese speaking friend over there, but
go tell them about it. It'll be fun.
It'll start. It'll happen in April.
So yeah. Yeah, yeah, you'll be doing some
English spots around town. I might, I might.
I'll see. Because like I as you know, like
once I go there, my 100% focus like promoting and stuff and I
will always choose any sort of candies community event over
like. Over a new spot yeah yeah for
sure I mean the Melbourne Comedy Festival is obviously a great
opportunity if you I am big supporter of just do stand up go
support the live stand up. One last thing I just did the
thanks to you you did it before the dear dear future grandkids
interview interview. So there is a podcast like a
live thing that they do called the dear future grandkids and
it's on YouTube now when you basically get interviewed for an
hour and you leave messages for your grandkids and stuff like
this and I just did it this morning and it was a lot of fun
so you can just go on YouTube find the future grandkids and my
name and your name. We have two different episodes
and really fun stuff, fun production team.
And yeah, we, we had a lot of fun jokes and it's not stuff
that you usually find on this one.
So go check that out as well. Other than that, we'll see you
next week. I'm heading to the Philippines.
Come back with some more stories.
Till then, bye bye.