It’s quite a way to ring in your 30s – being named as the Daily Show’s newest team member. But Ronny Chieng is full of surprises, not least for his family.
The Melbourne comedian, who turns 30 this week, didn’t even have time to tell his parents before news broke that he will be one of three new correspondents when the satirical show relaunches in September, hosted by Trevor Noah.
“I actually found out last week that I got it and I’ve had to keep radio silence for a week,” the Chinese Malaysian-born comic told Guardian Australia on the phone from London, where he is performing at Soho theatre after another successful Edinburgh fringe run.
Meet the newest additions to the The Best F**king News Team Ever http://t.co/jKOnb1Eg0C pic.twitter.com/zqF57wZRT1
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) September 2, 2015
Chieng will join fellow new hires actor Desi Lydic (from MTV’s Awkward) and comedian Roy Wood in filming a mix of pieces on desk and location, though he’s not clear yet exactly what he’ll be called upon to do. “I know as much as you do,” Chieng said.
He only auditioned for the show two months ago, squishing the New York visit in between tour dates in the UK and Canada before submitting a “soft take” video of two self-penned sketches, which he filmed at home in Melbourne. His routines about iPhone manufacturing in China and the futility of trying to win a Facebook argument clearly did the job; when he arrived for what he thought was his final audition, Chieng was told he had got the gig.
Noah, who replaces long-standing host Jon Stewart, has already promised a “sexy” new feel for the new series of the show. Chieng first met the South African comedian two years ago when they shared a standup stage in Montreal and said Noah was “very friendly and encouraging”.
“The UK, Australia, Africa, the US, Canada – wherever he goes, he sells out theatres,” said Chieng. “So he’s the host for a reason. And no doubt he had a big part to play in me getting the job so I’m very grateful.”
I'm excited to bring my attention to detail & knowledge of current affairs to working with Jon Stewart @TheDailyShow http://t.co/jLrlAgLQux
— Ronny Chieng (@ronnychieng) September 2, 2015
Chieng will start work immediately, flying direct to New York from London, having cancelled his forthcoming tour dates in Australia. “I packed for a month of touring, not for New York,” he said. “I don’t even have time to fly home.”
Not that he’s complaining about joining one of the most influential shows on TV. It was only three years ago that Chieng won best newcomer at the Melbourne comedy festival.
“I think that everyone in their 20s probably grew up watching the Daily Show,” he said. “I went to a pretty leftwing university and the way it distilled politics into pop culture felt so accessible. I didn’t watch every episode but, with the internet, those clips are popping up all the time.”
Those clips will soon feature Chieng but he’s yet to get his head around the idea. “You’re in it to get the part. Once you audition you have a chance on anything but it’s obviously a tough job to get. Did I think I would? No, no, no. Not at all.”
