2018 is proven to be one of the best years to date for Malaysian stand-up comedian, Kavin Jay. With his highly acclaimed Netflix Specials- Everybody Calm Down! which was aired back in February and his upcoming solo tour in Malaysia which is happening this August, the grumpiest comedian is out to make you have a good laugh with his personal stories which we all can relate to on a personal level.
1. Hi Kavin! Please tell us more about yourself.
Hello guys, I am Kavin Jay. I am a Malaysian stand up comedian. I have been in the industry for 12 years now. I like long walks on the beach and rock music. I am 38 years old and I am 5’7” tall. This is starting to sound like a tinder profile!
2. Congratulations for being one of the two Malaysians to have a Netflix Specials! How does it felt like knowing that your jokes are now reaching to more people than before?
To be honest, it is a bit of a shock to get a Netflix special. I thought to get a special I had to be like a comedy GOD, like Chapelle or Seinfeld, but it happened. It still hasn’t sunk in completely. I thought at first that it probably won’t go very far and not many people from outside of South East Asia will see it, but I have been getting plenty of love and appreciation from all over the world and it has been great. It is a great boost, not only for me, but the entire Asian stand up community where they have a goal to aim to and getting a Netflix (or any other network) Special is not completely out of reach.
3. We stumbled upon an online article which rank you as “The best of the two Malaysian comedians” on Netflix. What do you have to say about that?
That is a real honour, especially when you see the names that come up before me. Some of them are comedy greats that I look up to, AND I AM RATED HIGHER! I cannot believe it. The list is ever growing and the final position is still coming in, but I am just happy to be on that list with some of the best in the business, internationally.
4. Tell us more about your nationwide tour which is happening this August.
It would be my first EVER solo tour of Malaysia. I have toured as part of an ensemble but this would be my very own tour. I will be touring all the major cities and hopefully (we’re working hard on this) it will grow to an international tour with Europe and North America.
5. Where do you usually draw your inspiration for your comedy shows? Will you be using the same set of comedies as seen on Netflix for your nationwide tour?
I have great stories to tell. To quote someone else “Comedians are people who make bad choices in life and tell the stories on stage”. So that is what I do, I tell stories about my life, and most people seem to relate to them. I have so many stories I want to share and I guess my embarrassments hopefully will make people laugh.
And NO, the jokes will be new, not the ones you saw on Netflix.
6. To quote Dr Banner from The Hulk, “I’m always angry”, what keeps you grouchy all the time (well, at least throughout your shows)?
One of the secrets of comedy (just between you and me, don’t tell anyone or id have to kill you) is that when you tell a story, you have to emote all the emotions you feel when you went through the situation. Ok, that wasn’t that much of a secret, but most of my situations I end up being super annoyed and frustrated, so I genuinely feel that way. I love talking about my annoyances and frustrations. Its like therapy. Only free. In fact, I get paid for it.
7. Since you’re a comedian by profession, do you feel like you’re obligated to crack jokes during family gatherings and social events?
Not really, I have so many uncles and cousins who drink themselves silly and are super hilarious. So, I just sit there quietly sober, and jot down all the dumb things they say. When the alcohol is flowing, so is the comedy. Some of the shit they come up with is GOLD!
8. What’s the best joke up your sleeves which is sure to crack a smile on the face of the most serious Malaysian that you’ll ever meet?
You know, comedians HATE that question. But when push comes to shove, until as of recently, I would just crack open the mainstream newspapers and point to a headline that one or more politicians have said in all seriousness. It used to be really hard to do comedy when the government is making jokes far better than yours.
9. Aside from the nationwide tour, are there any upcoming international projects which we can look forward to?
I am writing a few comedy sitcoms that hopefully will get picked up by a network, hopefully Netflix, so YAY!
10. Any final words to all your Malaysian fans out there?
Thank you so much for knowing who I am and watching my special (hopefully you did). I did mention earlier about my Malaysian tour, come for that, I promise, it will be great.
