MALAYSIA’S rising standup
comedian Andrew
Netto has had a hard time
convincing people that his
recent gig was not an April
Fool’s stunt that he was trying
to pull off. It was a show
he was in on April Fool’s
day.
“This is not a joke. No, seriously it’s not,” said the 22-year-old who is known for his witty antics. He made his debut three years ago and has never looked back since.
When he graces the stage, the spotlight brings out the best of him as he takes a swipe at Malaysian politics with a sense of hilarious sarcasm. From the latest on CNN and Al Jazeera to family affairs and love affairs, Andrew has a knack of making life itself seem like a joke.
His peers were convinced that their funny friend had what it took to become a comedian when the man himself did not believe it. However, a rude awakening made Andrew realise what he was born to do. In 2006, his close cousin passed on without fulfilling one of his lifelong wishes which was to do stand-up comedy.
To grant the death wish of his cousin, Andrew, and his late cousin’s brother and two friends held a tribute gig. The show was an instant hit with the audience and phones started ringing with encore requests for one particular name — Andrew Netto.
It was at one of those events that renowned comedian Harith Iskandar recognised Andrew’s natural talent. Harith gave him what was his most memorable moment yet when he opened for Harith’s ?Man On Stage Telling Funny Stories? showcase.
“I opened for five days for his show. “It was only 20 minutes each day but it was great,” said Andrew. “He didn’t have to help me, but he did. I’m grateful to him for giving me that boost. He’s a brilliant comedian because he can relate so well to any audience, regardless of age, gender or cultural background. People expect you to be funny 24/7. What keeps me going is making other people laugh — that’s when I’m happiest.”
From there, the rest is history as they say. Andrew is fast becoming a household name in the comedy field. He believes that at present, with a typically close-minded Malaysian society, it is very difficult for any comedian to make a name on the international arena.
He reckons if the Malaysian crowd was more open-minded, then maybe a new future is in store for the country’s entertainment industry.
“If people can come out of old shells, stand-up comedy has a real future here,” said Andrew. He also added that his family has been his backbone and they are supportive of whatever he chooses to do.
“I live by own own principles which is ‘live life to the fullest, people are dead longer than they live’.
“I live with no regrets because I make the most of my life.”
“This is not a joke. No, seriously it’s not,” said the 22-year-old who is known for his witty antics. He made his debut three years ago and has never looked back since.
When he graces the stage, the spotlight brings out the best of him as he takes a swipe at Malaysian politics with a sense of hilarious sarcasm. From the latest on CNN and Al Jazeera to family affairs and love affairs, Andrew has a knack of making life itself seem like a joke.
His peers were convinced that their funny friend had what it took to become a comedian when the man himself did not believe it. However, a rude awakening made Andrew realise what he was born to do. In 2006, his close cousin passed on without fulfilling one of his lifelong wishes which was to do stand-up comedy.
To grant the death wish of his cousin, Andrew, and his late cousin’s brother and two friends held a tribute gig. The show was an instant hit with the audience and phones started ringing with encore requests for one particular name — Andrew Netto.
It was at one of those events that renowned comedian Harith Iskandar recognised Andrew’s natural talent. Harith gave him what was his most memorable moment yet when he opened for Harith’s ?Man On Stage Telling Funny Stories? showcase.
“I opened for five days for his show. “It was only 20 minutes each day but it was great,” said Andrew. “He didn’t have to help me, but he did. I’m grateful to him for giving me that boost. He’s a brilliant comedian because he can relate so well to any audience, regardless of age, gender or cultural background. People expect you to be funny 24/7. What keeps me going is making other people laugh — that’s when I’m happiest.”
From there, the rest is history as they say. Andrew is fast becoming a household name in the comedy field. He believes that at present, with a typically close-minded Malaysian society, it is very difficult for any comedian to make a name on the international arena.
He reckons if the Malaysian crowd was more open-minded, then maybe a new future is in store for the country’s entertainment industry.
“If people can come out of old shells, stand-up comedy has a real future here,” said Andrew. He also added that his family has been his backbone and they are supportive of whatever he chooses to do.
“I live by own own principles which is ‘live life to the fullest, people are dead longer than they live’.
“I live with no regrets because I make the most of my life.”