In a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ronny Chieng, known for his roles in “Crazy Rich Asians” and “The Daily Show,” discussed his experience on the hit talk show and revealed some interesting and peculiar facts about himself.
When asked about his plans for Thanksgiving, Chieng confessed that the holiday holds no significance for him. Living in America, he mentioned that Chinese New Year is the celebration he holds dear. However, with the current state of the country, he jokingly remarked that it’s now acceptable to openly dislike each other, so his indifference towards Thanksgiving is not political in nature.
The conversation then shifted to Chieng’s birthday. Surprisingly, the comedian admitted that he doesn’t celebrate his birthday, revealing that someone had erroneously published a fake birthdate for him on the internet. This mistake has resulted in people continuously congratulating him on the wrong date every November. Chieng humorously insisted that he doesn’t want people celebrating his fake birthday and expressed concerns about privacy and security in the digital age.
Jimmy Kimmel playfully probed further, requesting to see Chieng’s ID to verify his real birthdate. Even though Chieng refused to reveal the exact date, he clarified that it is not in November, putting an end to the persistent confusion surrounding his birthday.
Moving on, Kimmel asked about Chieng’s mother, who still lives in Singapore. Chieng mentioned his recent tour around the United States and how he brought his mom along. Interestingly, she chose to attend shows in Florida, which Chieng jokingly remarked was the weirdest state in America. Nonetheless, his mother ended up loving the experience, much to Chieng’s surprise.
The conversation then shifted to Chieng’s role on “The Daily Show,” where he is termed as a “fake host.” Reflecting on the live coverage of the 2020 election, Chieng expressed the privilege and anguish of witnessing history unfold. Drawing from his background as a political history enthusiast, he highlighted the cyclical nature of American politics, swinging between progressive and conservative ideologies. Nonetheless, Chieng emphasized the importance of having intelligent and reasonable conservatives who can contribute constructively to the nation’s discourse.
Chieng also briefly discussed his new show, “Interior Chinatown,” which delves into the complex themes of identity and marginalization. Directed by Taika Waititi, Chieng couldn’t help but express his admiration for Waititi’s talent in juggling intricate ideas effortlessly, even going so far as to recall an amusing behind-the-scenes moment where Waititi executed a spur-of-the-moment idea involving a plate sticking in someone’s neck.
Wrapping up the interview, Chieng thanked Kimmel and promoted his show, “Interior Chinatown,” which can be streamed on Hulu. With Chieng’s wit and humor, it’s no surprise that he continues to captivate audiences both on talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live and through his television projects.
