As we are gear up for our 200th episode, which will be recorded live at The Aftermath in Hong Kong on December 5, 2024. We take a journey down memory lane and we go through some of our favorite podcast cover photos, how our process changed over the years, and we browse the "More like this" section of our podcast on Spotify, and the results were pretty unexpected. Get tickets to our 200th Ep. Live Episode on Dec 5: https://t.ly/dvmNR Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Leave...
Nov 14, 2024•53 min
Hong Kong Stories is a group dedicated to the art of storytelling in Hong Kong. They focus on telling true, first-person stories live, on stage, without notes, and in front of an audience. They run regular workshops and produce over 12 live shows per year (when pandemics do not interfere). They are holding a big show on November 14 at Basehall 2, in collaboration with Backstage Comedy. We chat with Hong Kong Stories organizer Rachel Smith about the power of telling stories, some of her personal ...
Nov 03, 2024•59 min
It's a comedy-heavy episode with our guest, touring comedian Dwayne Perkins. We chat with Dwayne about the Hong Kong vs. Singapore audience, what Dry Bar Comedy is, cruiseship shows, Netflix licensing deals, and Dwayne shares some amazing stories about working with the legendary Patrice O'Neal. Check out Dwayne Perkins wbsite: https://dwayneperkins.com/ Follow Dwayne Perkins on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwayneperkins Get tickets to our 200th Ep. Live Episode on Dec 5: https://t.ly/dvm...
Oct 27, 2024•1 hr 5 min
The hosts once again jet off to different distinations for different reasons, then come back to the studio to recount their experiences, which couldn't be more different. Vivek Mahbubani flies to London on Emirates business class; Mohammed Magdi flies to Melbourne on Scoot Air economy class. Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Leave us a review: (please!) https://www.ratethispodcast.com/hohohkpod Foll...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 1 min
On episode #189, we might have gotten carried away with our conspiracy theories, and we talked some smack about one of Hong Kong's newest restaurants, the Flat Iron Group. Well, the founder of Flat Iron restaurants did listen to the episode, and he had some comments for us. This episode, we chat with Flat Iron and Steak King Founder Johnny Glover about his booming business, his origin story, and the real conspiracy happening on Elgin Road. Cheak out Flat Iron Hong Kong: https://www.flatironhk.co...
Oct 15, 2024•54 min
On this week's episode, we chat about how Hong Kong is one of the most advanced cities in the world, yet somehow, people writing "cheques" to each other seems like a perfectly acceptable thing to do. Then host Mohammed Magdi accidently goes shopping for gold (!) and discovers it's the best investment ever? Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Leave us a review: (please!) https://www.ratethispodcast.com...
Oct 08, 2024•54 min
Did a Flat Iron Steak/Burger joint take over your favorite neighbourhood joint? Are you wondering where they all came from? How they popped up in Soho out of nowhere? You're not alone! It a typcial Ho Ho Hong Kong fashion, we chose to do zero research, and instead, we dove into the deep end of the conspiracy pool! We're joined this week by a a special guest, the hilarious and gorgeous comedian, Annie Louey! Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Follow Annie Lo...
Sep 29, 2024•54 min
It's a meaty (and late) episode this week. Vivek reviews "Vission Nine," Vission Bakery's new cake shop. We got through the history of the Laugh Festival all the way up to the huge gala attended by an audience of over 1000 people this year, and Mohammed flies to Egypt last minute, and he may have accidentally started a riot on the plane on the way back to Hong Kong. Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod...
Sep 24, 2024•59 min
We catch up with comedian Matt Davis during his recent visit to Hong Kong. Comedian Matt has toured the world with his comedy more than the vast majority of most comedians, dead or alive. At 70 countries and more than 300 cities, Matt is adamant to take his comedy to places most people didn't even know existed. Check out Matt Davis' website: https://badfamiliar.com/ Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod...
Sep 15, 2024•52 min
For many years, Mamahuhu was the go-to channel for cross-cultural video content made in China. Founded by filmmaker and director Alessio Avezzano, Mamahuhu produced numerous viral videos, racked in millions of views, and created a cult-like following amongst a lot of expats in China. Our host Mohammed Magdi catches up with Alessio during the latter's visit to Hong Kong, and they reminisce about the origin of Mamahuhu, some of their favorite moments making the videos, and Alessio's plans for the ...
Sep 08, 2024•58 min
Couple petpeeves? We got plenty. Couples in-jokes. What could be more fun? Mohammed has been with Annie for a year, while Vivek has been with his girlfriend Gloria for 8 years. We compare notes! Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Leave us a review: (please!) https://www.ratethispodcast.com/hohohkpod Follow Mohammed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theothermohammed/ Follow Vivek on Instagram: h...
Sep 02, 2024•52 min
The live standup shows are popping, and this past weekend we had one of our best shows for a while, all thanks to the audience. We chat about what makes a particular audience better than others, and we try to answer some important questions: How open-minded do we want to be as parents? Were we unlucky to not have an accessible ADHD diagnosis when we were kids? Why is smoking so goddamn cool? Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https...
Aug 25, 2024•51 min
Ho Ho Hong Kong, your reliable Hong Kong news source, is back with this week's news scoop: We got newborn panda twin cubs! Two non-Americans "weigh in" on who they would vote for at the American elections, why YUU Points is the worst loyalty program in the world, and, everyone is welcome to Hong Kong if they can afford it. Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Leave us a review: (please!) https://www.ra...
Aug 19, 2024•54 min
Lan Kwai Fong is Hong Kong's most famous street and the city's main party hub. It's ever-changing, yet always the same. We chat about the iconic street, its snacks, its famous 7-11s, and, most importantly, its crowds. Have the international school kids taken over? Are we too old and jaded? We walked through "Lan Kwai" the other night, and we have thoughts! Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Get tickets for the Cantonese Laugh Festival Gala: https://gala.lau...
Aug 11, 2024•53 min
We sit down with Malaysian comedian Kuah Jenhan, who was performing his show "Noted With Thanks" in Hong Kong over the weekend with Backstage Comedy . We cover a wide range of topics, from Feng Shui, why the Malaysian ringgit seems to be always crashing, to why Malaysians like haggling so much and does Vivek always "get it"? Follow Kuah Jenhan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuahjenhan Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: htt...
Aug 04, 2024•54 min
The Olympics kicked off in Paris, and with them, we got to learn about games we never knew existed. We are Team Hong Kong all the way. Vivian Kong already scored Hong Kong's first gold medal at fencing, or "épée"? Let's be honest, we are all just waiting for Siobhan Haughey to win big. Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Follow Tony Chou on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonychoucomedy/ Leave us...
Jul 28, 2024•53 min
We are back with a classic episode. Just the two hosts and a whole lot of venting. What the hell is going on with the prices in Hong Kong? While it's not a new issue, it really has gone out of control lately. Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Leave us a review: (please!) https://www.ratethispodcast.com/hohohkpod Follow Mohammed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theothermohammed/ Follow Vivek o...
Jul 23, 2024•52 min
Chinese comedian Tony Chou is one of the OGs of the Beijing comedy scene. When he started doing comedy in 2013, he worked with Beijing legends like Joe Wong, DaShan, and Des Bishop. Tony was also a correspondent for CCTV for numerous years. We catch up with Tony about his journey, what it was like working for CCTV, and where the China comedy scene is today. Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Follow T...
Jul 15, 2024•59 min
A few weeks ago, in response to one of our episodes, we received a lengthy letter from comedian, friend, and podcast listener Nina McGrath. Nina works for Cathay Pacific as Group Safety Manager, Fatigue Risk Management Systems and Human Factors. We chat with Nina about everything air travel related. Where is the cabin crew's secret sleep compartment? Do pilots actually do anything? And Nina shares an incredible story of an intoxicated passenger challenging other passengers to a fight while holdi...
Jul 08, 2024•59 min
Mohammed goes on a work trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and comes back with a classic tale of robbery, cover-ups, and Malaysian officials corruption (allegedly!) #justiceformo Check out the Westin KL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewestinkl/ Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows here: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Leave us a review: (please!) https://www.ratethispodcast.com/hohohkpod Follow Mohammed on Instagram: https://w...
Jul 01, 2024•1 hr
Vivek is feeling under the weather. To cheer him up, we reminisce about some of our favorite childhood memories of watching WWE. Then we get into why he probably got sick and how he can avoid getting sick again, and we narrowed it down to every Hong Konger's favorite appliance, the air conditioner! Then we get into a debate about whether it's better to live in extreme cold weather or extreme hot weather. Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows here: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to ...
Jun 23, 2024•54 min
What is retirement in Hong Kong like? More specifically, what are the options for old folks homes in the city? And how does it all work? We do a deep dive. Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows here: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Leave us a review: (please!) https://www.ratethispodcast.com/hohohkpod Follow Mohammed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theothermohammed/ Follow Vivek on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funnyvive...
Jun 18, 2024•52 min
Happy Dragon Boating long weekend! We have no idea what a weekend is, what a what a long holiday is, or what day of the week it is most of the time. Vivek had one hell of a gig opening for Jason Leong in front of an audience of over a thousand people in Hong Kong, meanwhile, Mohammed somehow ended up in the same room as the Hong Kong Chief Executive, and the very next day had another rollercoaster of a day emceeing the 50th anniversary of a private member's club! Get tickets for Backstage Comedy...
Jun 10, 2024•55 min
Ever feel like a chicken talking to a duck? Ever ask a girl out only to be forced to eat lemons? Maybe you've been told that you're a peanut guy? Or perhaps someone has warned you that you're wearing a green hat? No need to be confused, "Hong Kong Slang" is a little dictionary of Cantonese slang that will supply you with the appropriate knowledge to get by in Hong Kong and make you cool at office parties. We chat with author Linsday Varty about her new book, her fascination with the Cantonese la...
Jun 03, 2024•57 min
Another busy week for us in Hong Kong. Both the hosts were together on an ad for Samsung Hong Kong, our first major ad! Also on this episode, comedian Annie Louey joins us to chat about credit card fraud and how she has been trying to live like a Hong Kong local after spending two weeks in the city. We also save a seat for Jesus. Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Follow Annie Louey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annielouey/ Leave us a review: (please!) https://ww...
May 26, 2024•54 min
(This episode was recorded on the weekend when the sun was shining and the weather was nice!) Hong Kong students are gearing up for exam season. Vivek reflects on his own experience, having gone to a local HK school and now being a regular speaker at both local and international schools. We wrap up the first week of the residency at the Grand Hyatt hotel. Back in April, Hong Kong rolled out the ban on single-use plastics. How is that going? Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohop...
May 20, 2024•55 min
After almost two months, both our hosts are back in the studio in Hong Kong recording the podcast together in human person, and we have a lot of updates to share. Our video studio is almost finished, and the podcast will be on video very soon. And we are starting a Vegas-style residency at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong five nights a week! Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Find out about our shows at Lips, Grand Hyatt: https://lips.hk/ Leave us a review: (please!) https://www.rate...
May 13, 2024•48 min
Vivek Mahbubani and Chris Musni started off in the world of stand up comedy in Hong Kong at around the same time, but different personalities, obstacles and joke-writing styles have lead them to different paths in the world of comedy. In this episode they go deep into how their comedy fates have differed over the years with Vivek having just returned from his Australia and New Zealand tour and Chris gearing up to take his comedy to another level here in Hong Kong. Mohammed is missing from this e...
May 07, 2024•57 min
We wrap up our run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2024 and we sit down to debrief and reflect on the past couple of weeks. Annie and Mohammed's show "Too Haram To Handle" received 3 reviews and they are all wildly different from each other. We go through them one by one, including a review we never read before the episode recording. Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Follow Annie Louey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annielouey/ Leave us a review: (...
Apr 22, 2024•1 hr 3 min
As we enter the last week of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, We seize the opportunity of having so many of Asia's top comics in one room, and we record what will most definitely go down in history as our biggest episode ever, featuring five guests! Daniel Fernades (IND), Dr. Jason Leong (MAL), Annie Louey (AUS), Qam Haziq (SIN), and Jacky Ng (SIN) Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Follow Daniel Fernandes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/absolutelydanny...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 4 min
