Yesterday I attended the opening night of Jit Murad's new show, Full of Jit, at The Actors Studio in Bangsar. (His previous show was called Jit Happens...Again. Geddit? Geddit?) It's been a long time since I've seen Jit perform and I wasn't even sure if he did do stand-up anymore so I was interested in how he would fare. He first apologised for having his notes out on a lectern nearby, citing a mild head trauma that afternoon which made him fear that he might forget his lines!
Jit started the show by having a go at the latecomers who were still sneaking in, then the people in the cheap seats (where I was at) and then the la-di-da middle class Bangsar crowd. I was tempted to shout “We’re from PJ!” but the house lights were still on in the small theatre and Jit looked like he was on a roll with picking on the audience, so I decided to shut up. Yes, that’s right, I’m only brave enough to heckle from under the cover of darkness. Jit then tries to get the audience stoked, asking each section of the audience how they are feeling before admitting that he actually hates performers who do that.
Jit is one of those people who look like they have drunk from the fountain of youth. It’s been about 13 years since I last saw him on stage but barring the odd wrinkle or two, he still looks about the same; slim, shaggy haired, prominent front teeth and dressed in preppy, slightly oversized clothes. He made fun of himself, citing the awful promotional pictures of him which zoomed in on his awful teeth and receding gums, which he happens to be awfully sensitive about.
Any Malaysian comedian stand-up worth his salt would touch on the state of politics and the antics of our politicians and Jit certainly did not disappoint. He had a good go at Samy Vellu (Works & Transport Minister), at one point getting down on his knees and declaring that the 'new boss's testicles are lighter than the previous boss's set.' This went down a storm with the audience, many who would have a beef with Samy Vellu over the ever increasing road toll hikes. The show lagged a bit after the break when Jit did a pretty long piece on reminiscing about his childhood, but picked up again when he came out playing one of his old characters, Renee Choy, the dubiously-sexed, slutty hairdresser, who recounted the story of how she got one of her 'shampoo clients' to unwittingly become a sperm donor for a friend of hers. Strangely enough, Jit seemed more comfortable and funnier when he was playing other characters like the obtuse, happy-go-lucky government minister Dato' Bahloluddin* bin Ashol and the aforementioned Renee.
As Jit correctly pointed out, a lot of comedy is born out of anger and it was the political satire and lambasting of politicians that the audience identified with and gained the most laughs. Throughout the show, there were little sprinkles of sobriety as he brings up issues about racial harmony, apathy and nurturing the future generation.
I had a good time overall, and my mum certainly enjoyed herself, despite her earlier misgivings that this was going to be an artsy-fartsy, super-liberal, authority- bashing, socialist gig. But Jit's charm and boyishness won her over and she forgave me for making her rush her Maghrib prayers so we could get to the studio on time.
*Bahlol = Malay for stupid
Jit started the show by having a go at the latecomers who were still sneaking in, then the people in the cheap seats (where I was at) and then the la-di-da middle class Bangsar crowd. I was tempted to shout “We’re from PJ!” but the house lights were still on in the small theatre and Jit looked like he was on a roll with picking on the audience, so I decided to shut up. Yes, that’s right, I’m only brave enough to heckle from under the cover of darkness. Jit then tries to get the audience stoked, asking each section of the audience how they are feeling before admitting that he actually hates performers who do that.
Jit is one of those people who look like they have drunk from the fountain of youth. It’s been about 13 years since I last saw him on stage but barring the odd wrinkle or two, he still looks about the same; slim, shaggy haired, prominent front teeth and dressed in preppy, slightly oversized clothes. He made fun of himself, citing the awful promotional pictures of him which zoomed in on his awful teeth and receding gums, which he happens to be awfully sensitive about.
Any Malaysian comedian stand-up worth his salt would touch on the state of politics and the antics of our politicians and Jit certainly did not disappoint. He had a good go at Samy Vellu (Works & Transport Minister), at one point getting down on his knees and declaring that the 'new boss's testicles are lighter than the previous boss's set.' This went down a storm with the audience, many who would have a beef with Samy Vellu over the ever increasing road toll hikes. The show lagged a bit after the break when Jit did a pretty long piece on reminiscing about his childhood, but picked up again when he came out playing one of his old characters, Renee Choy, the dubiously-sexed, slutty hairdresser, who recounted the story of how she got one of her 'shampoo clients' to unwittingly become a sperm donor for a friend of hers. Strangely enough, Jit seemed more comfortable and funnier when he was playing other characters like the obtuse, happy-go-lucky government minister Dato' Bahloluddin* bin Ashol and the aforementioned Renee.
As Jit correctly pointed out, a lot of comedy is born out of anger and it was the political satire and lambasting of politicians that the audience identified with and gained the most laughs. Throughout the show, there were little sprinkles of sobriety as he brings up issues about racial harmony, apathy and nurturing the future generation.
I had a good time overall, and my mum certainly enjoyed herself, despite her earlier misgivings that this was going to be an artsy-fartsy, super-liberal, authority- bashing, socialist gig. But Jit's charm and boyishness won her over and she forgave me for making her rush her Maghrib prayers so we could get to the studio on time.
*Bahlol = Malay for stupid
Comments
Politics aside, the 300 is just an exercise on lousy filmmaking. Sure, the CGI is impressive but impressive CGI doth not make a film. Hello, the part with the oracle doing the whole tit-exposed prancing in the air with transparent chiffon scene - uhm, reminds you of the Lancome Intense Hydration ad much? I mourn for the 33 ringgit and the two hours I spent on this movie. I mourn for the wasted acting talents and at the same time if I was as capable an actor like David Wenham and Gerard Butler and was offered a role in this vile piece of cinematic waste, I would hurl the script at them with my big, manly-man biceps. You know, I can take a bad movie, I've enjoyed plenty of bad movies in my life but The 300 is not just bad, it's toxic. Warm Wishes,
The Ranting & Raving Dikyam. Thank you, come again.
Anyway, I think the idea that a 'civilised' person's life has more value than the 'savage' is already out there anyway. You don't have to be in a war to witness it.
Also, you fool, why did you have to go and mess up my blog? I do not like this disorder.
-anything-attitude. We're (not you, I'm saying in general) not too tired to be interested in whether so and so celebrity wears brief or boxers, we're not too tired to wax poetic about how so and so celebrity is beautiful in every way (not that there's anything wrong with it) and so and so celebrity shaved their heads and so and so famous person is dating so and so person and wearing the right clothes, having the right hair, working out 10 hours a day to stay skinny but we're too tired to discuss issues and discourses that will eventually bite us hard in the ass? Because it will. If there's one certainty in this world is that everything will bite you in the ass in the end. This movie offended me to no end and I just had to spam-comment about it. Also, it's just a bad movie. If you're going to make an epic, then you might as well include some seriously rousing speeches. This is Sparta! and RAHHH!! that's the best they've got? Weak man, weak.
Also, I know you don't advocate people getting all their education from the movies but the fact is, alot of people do. (not us, of course, cause we're friggin geniuses)
Uh, I'm sorry about messing up your blog dude but just as well, hey? Your reading public might not read this if I had commented where I was supposed to comment. If I'm going to rave and rant, then EVERYONE must endure it. Muahaha. Kneel before me!
Uhm, on second thought, I doubt your reading public will read this. I doubt you even read all of this. haha.