The next big thing
With legendary comics like Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr recognising his talent early on, it was only a matter of time until Melbourne comic Ronny Chieng found himself on a list as influential as Variety’s 'Comics To Watch'.
After being recruited as a correspondent for The Daily Show With Trevor Noah last year, Chieng will be named in the Variety’s July 19 issue, with a profile on why they believe he's destined for greatness.
He’ll also be honoured at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in July, alongside nine others who made the list, including fellow Daily Show regular Roy Wood Jr., Aparna Nancherla - who has penned content for Late Night With Seth Meyers and appeared on Inside Amy Schumer, Love and more - and Lauren Lapkus (Jurassic World, Orange Is the New Black, Comedy Bang! Bang!).
Variety’s go-to list kicked off in 2000, and is pieced together by information received from scouts, bookers, management, producers, casting agents and more.
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As TV Tonight reports, past honours have gone to Louis C.K., Zach Galifianakis, Patton Oswalt, T.J. Miller and follow Aussie Rebel Wilson.
Last year it tipped Bianca Del Rio (Rupaul’s Drag Race, Hurricane Bianca), Bridget Everett (Inside Amy Schumer), Nikki Glaser (Not Safe, Trainwreck) and Ricky Velez (Master Of None, The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore), who have all blown up in the past 12 months.
The pilot for Chieng’s semi-autobiographical sitcom, Ronny Chieng: International Student, aired on ABC in April to an overwhelming response.