S1: The
S2: Mutton Sandwich podcast.
S3: All right. Welcome to the Mutton Sandwich podcast, of course.
S3: Here's the show that we put together, and every single
S3: episode we catch up with our famous friend of ours.
S1: Yeah, absolutely. You know, we love to name, drop and
S1: invite famous friends so that people see one month. And
S1: so you know this and this person. And today, one
S1: of the most well known people that we know. That's right.
S1: They finally decided that it's OK to be on, you know,
S1: with us and have a nice little chat.
S3: We named Rob her because she really makes us very,
S3: very cool.
S1: Absolutely.
S3: Let's say hello to Michelle Chong image.
S2: Hi, everybody.
S1: Oh, I love that. I love that. Michelle, we haven't
S1: seen you in such a long time. You know, due
S1: to a pandemic. Regardless, you know, it's it's been a
S1: while since we caught up last so. Yeah. How you been, man? Like,
S1: like what you been up to?
S2: Oh, I've just been very busy.
S1: Yeah, we know.
S3: We know we're following you on on social media. You know,
S3: you've got a series of episodes of your shows that
S3: come out like, you know, every every Saturday. Everybody's timeline
S3: is correct.
S2: Every every Sunday, 10 A. and every Sunday, any the series. Yeah, basically,
S2: we have an artist management agency. Well, it's not really
S2: like it's very boutique is just it's just three of
S2: us that been there from the start for like maybe
S2: close to 10 years. So it's Ponce up, Lee Tung
S2: and myself. Yeah. And we don't want to say anyone
S2: else because we just want to keep it small and
S2: take care of ourselves and take care of ourselves well.
S2: And then also, I have a production house, Michelle Chung Productions,
S2: and basically we do add TV's Brenda Content, digital content,
S2: original shots. So that's what I'm busy doing every day.
S2: So concurrently, we have also quite a few projects FMCG brands, cybersecurity, medical,
S2: so is just ongoing all the time.
S1: Wow, that's incredible.
S3: Awesome. And I mean, I watch the videos that you
S3: put out every weekend and it's a lot of work.
S3: A lot of you don't know the amount of work
S3: that goes into release. One six minute video. Right? Yeah,
S3: I mean, so it's true.
S2: Yeah, you guys. So no, because you guys are doing
S2: so much social media these days. Yeah, everyone is. Yeah.
S2: And social media is such a different animal altogether from
S2: TV and film. Yeah, absolutely. Because it's so competitive, right?
S2: But this is from the whole like, well, you know,
S2: people have like a free content anytime they want anywhere
S2: and anyhow, whatever they want, anytime and the tip of
S2: their fingertips. Literally.
S1: Yeah, and you never know what your your audience on
S1: social media, you know, will be keen to snap up. Like, like,
S1: you know, it could be someone just brushes death and
S1: that could go viral, you know? So so how how
S1: do you plan content? How do you think about how
S1: do you create content for social media? It's a tough job.
S3: So let's ask you, Michelle. I mean, without giving away
S3: too many tricks of the trade because obviously, you know,
S3: that is your rice bowl. But but what? What do
S3: you do? How do you plan to do stuff that
S3: will stand out above all of the other choices and
S3: free stuff that people get?
S2: Yeah. You know, and and like I will say, is
S2: so coveted competitive and it's so difficult because within the
S2: three seconds, if they don't like it, they can just
S2: scroll past around here because there's so much free content available, right?
S2: So so I guess in the first five seconds, you
S2: have to be very engaging already. And what's more, you know,
S2: we don't just do like organic content. We we put
S2: products in there.
S1: Yeah, exactly.
S2: Yeah. So I mean, I think it's actually quite a
S2: feat to to to produce something to produce an ad
S2: that people want to watch. Yeah, yeah. For sure. For sure.
S2: That's a difficult thing. But I mean, that's what we
S2: are known for. Yeah. So we produce engaging ads that
S2: people want to watch, even though they know it's an act.
S2: Maybe sometimes they don't.
S1: Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And that's what sets you apart from
S1: the other people doing the same thing, isn't it?
S2: Oh, actually, for myself and the team, we try to
S2: watch a lot of online content as well, you know,
S2: to see what works, and we have to keep up
S2: to date with like the latest trends. Yeah, local news
S2: or you know what's trending worldwide. Yeah, it's just so
S2: that we know what our audience lights and we have
S2: to keep current with with with like pop culture and
S2: all that.
S1: Right. So, OK, Michelle Chong, as as a business person,
S1: how has the pandemic affected you?
S2: It didn't affect us because we we do a lot
S2: of digital content. Yeah. And because of the pandemic, more
S2: people are staying at home and turning to online entertainment.
S2: So actually, we've had. More people come to us to do.
S1: Wow, that's great news, yeah.
S3: Yeah, and what do you say? I mean, because obviously
S3: social media now is all about numbers. So what do
S3: you say that your your views have increased over the
S3: last one year?
S2: No, I wouldn't say that. OK. OK. Because, like I said,
S2: everyone is going online as well, right?
S3: Right, right, right, right, right, right.
S2: And also and also, don't forget, our Facebook and Instagram
S2: are also very sneaky. They are they they are changing
S2: the algorithm all the time, so you don't know what
S2: to expect. OK, so sometimes even with the same formula,
S2: the same people in the same ads, you know, you
S2: can do very differently in terms of use, right?
S1: Yeah. So true.
S3: So true. And that's where it's up to your team
S3: to keep up with the updates and and how they
S3: prioritize videos to it, they'll be able to break through.
S2: Exactly. Yeah. So, so many things to consider. I know
S3: many things. So so again, for people who go all,
S3: I want Michel Jong so easy every week, pull out
S3: one six minute video cartridge. It's so much work that
S1: goes behind so many different things. How much work
S3: it really takes. Someone who has done it to like, Wow,
S3: you appreciate how much effort it goes into just one video, right?
S3: But hey, I mean, look how we like to reminisce
S3: on the Mutton Sandwich podcast. Yes. Let's let's turn the
S3: clock back a little bit. Before Michel, Michel Chung was
S3: this businesswoman who has entrepreneur, entrepreneur and all these characters
S3: you love and all that. Tell us, because I don't
S3: think I know this story. How did you first get
S3: into showbiz? How did you first become famous, if you would?
S2: Well, I mean, I've always been very interested in in
S2: the creative stuff as goes. So I took theater studies
S2: at Victoria Junior College. Oh, right. S and A-level subjects.
S2: So my teacher thought I was good enough to pursue
S2: this as a career. So he told me to go
S2: to the states to to do this bachelor's in theater study.
S2: And then at the end of year one, we go
S2: into the Asian financial crisis, so I had to come back. OK, OK.
S2: So so I went to us to continue doing theater studies. Okay?
S2: And then while I was there, it was very hot, right?
S2: And then physically, it's very hot. Like. Yeah, and you
S2: were so hot. I think there are not enough trees there.
S2: And also and also, I just got back from the
S2: states where it was very cold because I was in Maine,
S2: which is like, Oh, Ulysses north part of us.
S1: Yeah, so nice. Wow.
S2: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, so so anyway. So when I when
S2: I was that and as my father went to take
S2: the form for fame awards do remember Oh
S1: wow, film awards. My goodness. Yeah, yeah, that's
S2: a blow then. So but but I always say to him, like,
S2: why you never take star search if you think science overnight? Well,
S2: I think it's where Saima wants now. You seem a
S2: lot like
S3: what's lasted one two years anyway.
S2: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. And it was like
S2: once every two years or something. Yeah, yeah,
S3: it was the Channel five equivalent because he saw star search.
S3: How the how? Yeah, yeah, yeah, Channel five wanted to
S3: do that own one thing I don't see that I hold.
S3: I wanna watch the Chinese.
S2: Oh my God, I was a Taiwan Taiwan. Yeah, yeah.
S2: So they also think that the two of you don't
S2: think that down a few times is.
S1: No, only Dustin. And it was it was a bad
S1: decision on their. But I still
S3: feel too young that I felt that. So, yeah, yeah.
S3: So Feynman was I honestly didn't remember you in the
S3: feeble once.
S2: Well, I mean, I did get into the final. Yeah, OK, OK.
S2: But then after that, things started happening. I mean, I mean,
S2: I I did like bits a bit parts in like
S2: me growing up and the rule and then, you know,
S2: and I did a lot of theater as well. And
S2: I also I was like modelling, you know, doing all
S2: those things, part time acting stuff. So. And then, yeah,
S2: like I said, I did like bit parts in going
S2: on and under one roof. And then you'll notice to me,
S2: I suppose, Oh, this girl is quite good like can, right?
S2: So then when she went to when she went to
S2: MediaWorks channel, I
S3: told her, Yeah, that's right. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
S2: yeah, yeah, they got me to do this. Do you
S2: remember this bikini drama paradise called Paradise with Nadia, who tagalong? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah,
S2: I was the Charlie's Angels. Wow. Oh, so yeah. But
S2: I mean, obviously there was candlelight after like four episodes
S2: or something. So that that that didn't go well. So
S2: but then, okay, so after that, Mr. Munn, because I
S2: was bilingual, right? I thought I was also very good, right? Like,
S2: I mean, bilingual can can host whatever. So then they
S2: also got me to do like hosting four for one.
S2: It was like the channel you equivalent of like. You know,
S3: I mean, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
S2: Yeah, but it wasn't the TV that was channel. Sure,
S2: they'll call MediaWorks. Right, so then. But but because a
S2: lot of the Chinese creatives went over the speech. Yeah, yeah.
S2: The variety people. So then they they produced a lot
S2: of these like city beat kind of shows. So then
S2: I started hosting in Chinese. Yeah. And then after that
S2: they gave me a full time contract. And then but
S2: then before it closed, before I was immersed in media,
S2: called Melvin, who was actually mediocre at the time, who
S2: is now, of course, you know the big wigs of my. Right, right?
S2: So before they merged, he also does like quite good potential.
S2: So he actually got me over like he signed me
S2: to two media calls. Yeah. So I mean, anyway, well,
S2: it's just one thing. I mean, I had a lot
S2: of Quirin that we call a clean slate like a
S2: lot of people been affected. I had the potential, but
S2: you know, I hope I didn't disappoint them, so they
S2: told
S3: me they thought correctly. Yeah.
S2: Well, a lot of things, a lot of the things
S2: that I did also, you know, like shut down media
S2: will shut down paradise can then be your fault.
S1: I love you.
S2: No, no. Of course you don't God. But that drama,
S2: you know? Yeah. And so, yeah, so yeah. So then yeah.
S2: So one thing led to another. And then I I
S2: signed on with with media. And then right after that
S2: late Melvin left. Right. So I was that media cop.
S2: And then when I was mean, I was actually I
S2: was not there for long, like maybe five, six years.
S2: But then I was actually actually actually, I don't really
S2: like being in front of the camera at all.
S1: Are you seriously kidding me?
S2: Yeah, yeah. Yeah. So that was very, very depressed because
S2: I was just in front of the camera all the time.
S3: Oh yeah, that's shocking to hear.
S2: At the time when I was at, Mutacao was also
S2: always pitching ideas to, you know, say, young or whoever just.
S2: But I found it difficult to place me because I
S2: was an actor as a whole was right. So they say, no.
S2: So what do you mean like your pictures project means
S2: you will like, write or you directing you? You would
S2: do it. Then how are we going to pay you?
S2: I mean, are we going to put you in Channel
S2: five team? I mean, I mean, I understand because, you know,
S2: we do call it is it's a it's a big company,
S2: so we can. It's not like a small company, you know,
S2: you can just do whatever you want. So I also
S2: understand so that it's I felt like I really needed
S2: to do my own stuff. You know, I'm OK. I
S2: had stories to tell and I and I love to
S2: create characters. But so then so then two thousand and
S2: eleven I took like. But, you know, I was very popular, right?
S1: Yeah, for sure.
S3: Which actually the next question I was going to ask
S3: you before you get to the next part. What do
S3: you say in all honesty? Michelle Chung explored it as
S3: a as a household name because of the news and
S3: the characters you created.
S2: What would you say? Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. OK. Yes. Yes, yes. Yes, yes. OK, yes,
S2: I would say that. But then also I was also
S2: doing a lot of Channel eight like hosting at that time.
S2: So a lot of the older people also know me
S2: some issue, like most of us about, you know, so.
S2: And those those older people didn't really watch the news either. True, true. True.
S2: I mean, I was quite I was quite I was
S2: very lucky and I was very blessed. I mean, I
S2: had a lot of jobs, you know, I because I
S2: was bilingual, so I could do like a lot of
S2: different things. Yeah, right. So, yeah, so at the time,
S2: I was like, very popular. But the reason why is
S2: because I was very busy, you know?
S1: Yeah, you do lot projects.
S2: People like, yeah, like me for like like, you know, bonds,
S2: oil will be like next year, July to September Miller.
S2: So that was difficult for me to do my own
S2: thing like musical, right? Absolutely. And also because I came
S2: from like nothing, right? As in, I came from like, Oh,
S2: I had no Joss. I struggle, you know, I to
S2: go for auditions. I started from doing because I had
S2: to do this. And then, you know, like, so this
S2: was also obviously very precious to me, like all these jobs, right?
S2: Like I was, I felt very lucky. But at the
S2: same time, I was very depressed because I felt like
S2: this thing. Anyway, one night, you know, I have a
S2: creative outlet, you know, I want to produce my own stuff. So.
S2: So then it took me a while to really must
S2: have the courage to take like a three month low
S2: pay leave to do my own movie. OK. Right. So
S2: so I took it three months. No failing to do
S2: my first movie, right? And then after that, I was
S2: so happy doing it. It's a seven month old baby. Wow.
S2: And then and then, yeah. So actually, it paid off
S2: because my first movie did quite well at the box office. Yeah,
S2: for sure. For sure. It was also chosen as Singapore's
S2: representative to the Oscars. Oh, wow. For best foreign film
S2: in 20 years, it
S1: would have been I would have done better if we
S1: were in it. But yeah, you can't win them all.
S3: I remember we pitched to be in your movie, but
S3: we were overlooked. So yeah, so did you.
S2: Right? Yeah.
S3: Not not to bring it up, but you know, no, no, no.
S2: I'm always very grateful to you too, because for all
S2: of my movies, you were there to help me promote. Oh, absolutely.
S1: I don't know. I mean, we we we really love
S1: you so much and we we think you're you're just
S1: super creative and talented. You know, we can't help it.
S2: Thank you.
S3: And honestly, we don't see that many people with the
S3: passion that you have.
S1: Yeah, it's crazy
S3: to be creative and to be to always be, you know,
S3: one step above everyone else, you know, in that process.
S3: So you've been amazing, all these very inspiration. So let's
S3: talk about the creative process. OK, so so I don't
S3: know if you've ever spoken about this before, but those
S3: awesome characters you created for the new step that have,
S3: you know, people, people, some people think that you are
S3: actually that person. You know, Lulu? Yeah, right? Talk about
S3: the creative process of that. Did someone in Channel five
S3: write that character is Michelle? Can you play this character?
S3: Or is it just something you created in your head?
S3: You brought it to screen and you're like, Oh my God,
S3: it works.
S2: OK, so, so as I was telling you before, I
S2: was always pitching right, like senior management or whoever I can,
S2: you know, get an appointment with like my the head
S2: of a movie, you know, like, say, like, you know,
S2: I'm either cooking show idea with a skill, you know,
S2: blah blah, you know? So I was like, I have
S2: this show, I do. And then just one day, I
S2: was so lucky. Finally, I don't know who it was,
S2: whether it was, was it Kelvin or, yeah, somebody said like, Oh, oh, actually,
S2: someone in Channel five also has a skit idea, right?
S2: Like the fake news, right? So then so then it's
S2: a great great. Then you two can meet and then,
S2: you know, finally, we can do something right? Right? So then, yeah,
S2: so then that was how I got involved. Wow. Yeah.
S2: But I came up with my own characters. So, you know,
S2: it's very funny because, like the news was a very
S2: small team at that time, right? Mm. So I could
S2: pretty much do whatever I want to write so. So
S2: I was also watching Channel NewsAsia at the time. I
S2: don't know whether you remember there was this. There was
S2: this newscaster that had quite a bit of heavy makeup
S2: and very sultry big hair. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
S2: The American accent.
S1: I know exactly who you're talking about.
S2: Yeah, like so she was just sitting next to me
S2: in the makeup on. I was like, Oh my God,
S2: I could totally be that newscaster. So that was how
S2: Adriana wow was was born. Yeah, with a big hair
S2: and you know, the blue eyeshadow and you think, Oh
S2: my gosh, she's not has been balding as well about, yeah,
S2: they'll be funnier if she is more important, right? Absolutely.
S2: And then and then, you know, with with Barbarella is
S2: so funny because, you know, when I was doing modelling. Yeah,
S2: the stories you could tell. Yeah, oh yeah. Kind of. Yeah,
S2: very special, unique characters. So I when I first started,
S2: I had this and this agency mannequin carries on while
S2: doing so. So the the instructor they teach you, like,
S2: how do you know, do make do well? And and
S2: I always thought, Oh gosh, it's all right. She's like, Oh,
S2: you're lying to the mere roll. You see your eyebrows.
S2: Oh my goodness, this toga. So I was just always
S2: I was saying something like that. Yeah, so but then
S2: the thing is that not everybody believed in me when
S2: I was when I first, when I first did Leticia,
S2: I said, I can totally do like a Filipino helper,
S2: a Filipino accent. Yeah. So when I first did it
S2: and I still remember and I still remember the the
S2: soundman or the cameraman say, Are you sure that's Filipino?
S2: Doesn't sound like that, but solid. It got solid. So,
S2: you know, because in the beginning, nobody really knew that
S2: I could do all these things that would go from
S2: Channel eight, you know, and then come in like, do
S2: all this. So even when I did my Barbarella, which
S2: I thought was hilarious, like the first thing I did,
S2: I myself thought it was very funny. I mean, we
S2: were sending also or 2000. But I remember the app
S2: was just like, like, nobody laugh at all right now.
S2: You know, they were folding their arms. And just like,
S2: Is this very funny? Like, when I do my takes,
S2: everybody takes, you know, out of towels or devices stall,
S2: sending it just like looking around like, OK, I dont like,
S2: you know, like, just like nobody. Oh, my God. Like,
S2: I knew it would be a hit.
S3: Yeah, yeah. You, you knew, right? Because and then those,
S3: you know, all those characters were created at the infancy
S3: of social media. Yeah. So when those clips started getting
S3: shared on it, people loved it, you know, so I guess. OK, well,
S3: comedy is not for everyone, I suppose, you know. And
S3: you know, some people find something funny. Some people won't
S3: find it funny. Right? But the majority found your
S1: character very funny.
S3: Very funny, really, really, really awesome. But but then came
S3: a point where you had left Mediacorp. Right? Mm hmm. Yeah.
S3: And there was and there was an issue about, will
S3: you be able to use these characters outside of medical?
S2: Right, right, right. Right, right? The answer is no, because
S2: whatever that I did were on medical platforms. And so
S2: those characters belong to them, which which which I agree
S2: it's OK. But when? So that's why when I did Lulu,
S2: the movie, I bought the rights. I bought the rights
S2: for the movie.
S3: So that was the process. You actually bought the Lulu
S3: rights from your call?
S2: Yes. Yes, yes. So, so so that's why. That's why
S2: now I do my own platform, my own characters, which
S2: belong to me like alien. You know, Shelly go the
S2: office lady Emily Emilia, the Taiwanese. You know, like, yeah,
S2: like all these characters belong to me.
S1: Right, right? Yeah. Because I find it in so strange
S1: to be someone else for something you created, right? It's
S1: a tough business, but yeah, intellectual property and stuff like that. Yes.
S2: I mean, times have changed. As in as in now,
S2: because I mean, people in media have come and gone also, right? Yeah, sure. Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
S2: Whoever was in charge. So I mean, I mean, things
S2: are a bit better now. I mean, I mean, there's
S2: no animosity between us. I mean, I still produce stuff
S2: for me to write nice stuff. Yeah. Yeah, we do
S2: like chic and cozy, which was like a home, the
S2: property hunting show for Channel five and I'll go on
S2: my case. You know, what was it? Yeah. Oh, right. Yeah.
S2: So we did that one. So I directed that, and
S2: it was very well-received, actually. Yeah. Yeah. And then I
S2: also director like two army dramas, Chinese dramas on Channel
S2: You and for me, you watch as well, which also
S2: had like the highest ratings for like the Chinese Chinese
S2: series on toggles. Very cool. So I mean, we still
S2: do stuff, but then I personally still do stuff with them. So.
S2: And and also, I think things have changed now as
S2: in if it's produced by us now. But but even
S2: on their platforms, the characters belong to us. So I
S2: see the Chinese. I do Chinese Gong Dalloway, which is
S2: like a Chinese. I love that a Chinese journalist, you know, A. journalist. Right. Well,
S2: it just so a big conservative, a bit grumpy, kind
S2: of a Chinese anti journalist's character. So I did that
S2: for them. Mm hmm. And actually, I created this character
S2: for them. But now this character belongs to me as well.
S2: So sure, things have changed. That's great.
S3: That's fantastic. Because, you know, creative people, ideally you want
S3: to own what you of. I mean, as Taylor Swift, yeah,
S3: you know, they were. You really want to own.
S2: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, well, that's
S3: that's that's that's fantastic. It feels almost like it's come
S3: full circle.
S2: That's well, right. Yeah. Yes. No. I think it's good now. Yeah,
S2: I'm going
S3: to ask you a difficult question because, you know, you know,
S3: for parents, it's very it's impossible to choose a favorite child. Yeah.
S3: So if we were to put you in the spot
S3: and ask you, who's the favorite character you ever created?
S3: Can you name one?
S2: No, I can't. You could, right?
S1: They're all special, too difficult.
S3: And they're also unique as well.
S2: You know, you know, better. I don't know how they
S2: explain this to you without sounding very cold, but actually,
S2: it's just walk to me. Right, right, right. So I mean,
S2: they're not my children. I, I, I, I don't care
S2: for them. Yeah. But but I care deeply about my work,
S2: what I put out. So I'm a perfectionist in that sense.
S2: So I mean, I go through the edit many times
S2: because I go through the script many times with a T.
S2: I go through the edit many times because I want
S2: it to be very funny. I wanted the client to
S2: be happy that like, you know, the messaging is one,
S2: you know, I want people to love the content, you know,
S2: I want everyone to be happy. So you're a perfectionist. What? Yeah. Yeah.
S2: So that's what I care about. Like whether the timing
S2: is right. Like, Oh no, you should have so personal here.
S2: You can add da, you know, like here you might
S2: do a digital zoom. Otherwise, who's going to notice what
S2: you know, the deadline or, you know? So, so I mean,
S2: these are very specific things, right? Yes. So so that's
S2: what I care about. But if you ask me like
S2: a paparazzo like, who cares? Right, right? I mean, I mean,
S2: I mean, when we think about it, it's not like, Oh,
S2: my favorite character is this, let's do this. But more
S2: like whether it fits this product or whether it's this video,
S2: whether it is this, was it the right character? Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
S2: So that's what I care about.
S3: You know, I wish there were more people in this
S3: industry that that that that that commitment to the art. Yeah,
S3: but you do. You know, I really wish there was.
S3: Because I mean, you call it, call it DA. What
S3: do you call that? I call it jaded or, you know,
S3: like or whatever it might be, complacency or whatever. But,
S3: you know, I wish more people would really love what
S3: they do. So much do spend so much time to
S3: make it perfect
S1: and not put put out something for the sake of putting. Yeah, yeah, absolutely.
S2: So. But you know, I I am jaded. Well, I
S2: am just really, you know, you just want it. Yes. No,
S2: I'm done and I'm very tired. And actually, it's not
S2: that I love it so much. It's just that I
S2: cannot help it. You're right. Yeah. So I guess I mean,
S2: a lot of the times I just think, yeah, just
S2: like all of my friends, you know, the team should
S2: know that anyway, but I can't let go. So then
S2: that's just that's bad, actually.
S3: No. Well, we
S1: will. We see your content, people see your content and
S1: people love it. So you know it all pays off
S1: at the end of the day. Absolutely. That's a good thing.
S2: I hope Solo Hope Solo
S3: does like, OK, let's let's let's play H.R. department for
S3: a moment.
S1: H.R. Department.
S3: OK, OK, so what's next for Michelle Chong? Is there
S3: something that you haven't achieved? Is there something that you
S3: want to do? But what Demi or whatever you haven't
S3: done it yet, like in the next three, four, five years?
S3: Like what? Is there something in the pipeline that you
S3: can tell us?
S2: Actually, contrary to popular belief on, I mean, like despite
S2: what people might think, like what I am, you know,
S2: I actually don't plan anything, you know, OK, I don't play, OK.
S2: I don't plan anything in advance. All right. I have nothing.
S2: But currently I hope to lose weight.
S1: Are you? Are you kidding?
S2: Yeah. Yeah, because I'm also doing a flip me endorsement now.
S2: Oh yeah, because because I don't know all these productions
S2: that I'm doing. I'm also the ambassador for quite a
S2: lot things that I Johnson protein, sorry, homestead. Yeah. And
S2: another one coming out and and la da da, you know? Yeah. Yeah.
S2: Have a lot of things to do like to optimize mug.
S2: And yeah. So to me, that's also quite stressful because
S2: like I said before, I really do like to be
S2: in front of the camera. But I guess if it's
S2: still pays my bills, I should be grateful for it. Yeah,
S2: and I am, and I am very grateful for it.
S2: So I cannot just like, give that all up now.
S2: But I look forward to the day where I don't
S2: have to care about doing my makeup and I don't
S2: have to keep my hair long for this. I think
S2: that's what I am. And no, but but I can
S2: still do my behind the scenes. Yeah, sure. Sure. Yeah, yeah.
S2: And I'm very busy doing that, right? So then I just, yeah, yeah.
S2: So so actually my my wish is that I can really,
S2: really don't have to be in front of a camera
S2: anymore and just doing behind the scenes. Wow. So that's
S2: just like, yeah, my ultimate wish.
S1: Wow. You never think you hear that from from someone
S1: who's doing so well in front of the camera? Exactly that.
S2: That doesn't sound very ungrateful. It does.
S1: Oh, no, no, no. That's not what I meant at all.
S1: Because no, it really isn't what I meant at all. Because,
S1: you know, we we sometimes we feel the way you do,
S1: sometimes when we feel jaded, when we see. We feel
S1: that we have been doing the same thing every day.
S1: You know, sometimes we wish that, you know, we wish
S1: we could just sit back, write content or come up,
S1: create content and give someone else to do so that
S1: you know, we yeah. Yeah. But yeah, I totally know
S1: how you feel. It doesn't sound a great maybe.
S3: Maybe it takes someone in the industry to know exactly
S3: what you mean, but I know, I know completely
S1: what you mean. Yeah, yeah.
S3: So the idea is you just you just feel that way, right? Well, yeah,
S3: it's so eye opening.
S1: Chatting with you, young man, is such a great guy.
S3: One more thing to do before we go, Michel, because
S3: we know you're very busy. You know things to do.
S3: So we want to hold you for too much longer.
S3: But it is tradition for all our guests and a
S3: mother and sandwich podcast to forward the tables to turn.
S3: So now you will get to ask us the question
S3: Is there anything you've ever wanted to ask the mountains about?
S3: Never had a chance to. So it's now and now
S3: it's on record. So go ahead. Michelle Chong, what do
S3: you want to ask?
S2: Yeah, so you are really asking for this. So you
S2: better answer the question.
S1: Yeah, yeah. We we promise to answer any question wasn't scary.
S2: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
S1: Honestly. Straight shooting, straight shooting.
S2: OK. So who is your least favorite guest ever and
S2: who's your most favorite guest ever on your show?
S3: On the gas, on the in the show?
S2: No, no, no podcast. No polka.
S3: Oh yeah, oh great. Because I have a great answer
S3: for that.
S1: OK. Who's who's your least favorite? You go ahead.
S3: No. So I'll tell you my least favorite guest I
S3: ever interview. You'll be shocked that his name was Kylie Minogue, right?
S3: Oh yeah. I think this was. I'll have to admit,
S3: this was very early, early on in my career and
S3: this was pre pre social media. So like, like MTV
S3: and all that were the biggest things. So she came
S3: to Singapore for a concert or promo. I came in
S3: while she was here. And so we were there to
S3: do an interview. So, you know, everybody's rostered to go
S3: in five minutes with Kylie and all that. So you
S3: could tell straight away that when there was a camera
S3: like an MTV was interviewing her, what she was like,
S3: all glammed up and like, Whoa, she should put it on,
S3: you know? And the moment she found out that the
S3: next interview was with radio, there was no camera. There
S3: was no glamour shot. All I'm doing is just recording
S3: her and her voice. She became the most uninteresting person
S3: in the world.
S1: Wow.
S3: Yeah, I was. I was shocked because it was Kylie
S3: Minogue going to get shot. I've been shot because, you know,
S3: she she was the queen night. So it was it
S3: was so bad. I could barely use the interview because
S3: she sounded so bored and so uninterested. Everything she said
S3: was like one one, two words, you know? So I
S3: was so disappointed when that happened. All those years ago,
S3: it was two thousand and one I think it was
S3: 20 years ago. Hmm. So, yeah, that was actually the
S3: till today the worst interview I've ever done personally. Yeah.
S3: And oh, did I say. It was quite bad because
S3: she was such a big name. I'll tell you a story,
S3: something very similar.
S1: And in fact, this was in the 90s when social
S1: media really didn't exist. And I had to interview Jon
S1: Bon Jovi called the biggest robin in the world. You're right,
S1: and exactly the same scenario. Like, like when I went in,
S1: I'm a guy from a radio station. So the boys
S1: literally has sat there and read magazines. While I ask
S1: them questions, they couldn't even be bothered to look at
S1: me while answering questions, right? So by the third question,
S1: I realized they really weren't interested. So I just stopped
S1: the interview and I say, OK, thanks guys. And I
S1: walked out. The next person to interview the guys were
S1: What was this hot MTV veejay shall not name her name,
S1: but she was a hot MTV veejay with the camera crew. Wow,
S1: you see these guys so talkative they lit up there.
S1: They were like, Why are you smiling and laughing? And
S1: so I was like, Oh, OK. I never, ever put
S1: on the interview because I didn't want to use it.
S1: Even though they were the biggest rock band in the world,
S1: John Boehner, yeah, yeah,
S2: so no, horrible.
S3: Yeah, unfortunately, you know, it was a time that we
S3: were quite used to it because a lot of these stars,
S3: they they kind of knew when to turn it on
S3: and went to the air radio or Neil, I don't care. Yeah.
S3: So we
S2: knew we were the ones
S3: who carry your songs 50 times a day to make
S3: you famous. You ungrateful piece of itself, anyway.
S2: No radio people are always so discriminating. Yeah, well, we
S2: read about them all.
S3: But to be fair, doesn't happen that often. More often
S3: than not, people are very grateful of that. We played
S3: our songs. Yeah, have you? Sorry. Did you ask about
S3: best as well? Do you just ask about worst,
S2: best as well? But, but but let me what I
S2: want to say is that it doesn't just happen to
S2: radio people because you know, when we when we go
S2: in for like movie junkets and all. Yeah, yeah. I
S2: know that. Yeah, I also can now get utterly gone
S2: to answer your question. Who was it? Who was it?
S2: Jada Pinkett Smith?
S1: Oh, wow. Yeah. Oh no. We we've we've had very
S1: mixed feelings about that family. We've we've never interviewed Jada Pinkett,
S1: but we've interviewed Will Smith. And he loved this so much.
S1: She wanted to adopt us. Yeah, he's amazing. Oh, super nice, guy.
S1: I love him. Yeah. And then we interview his son, Jaden,
S1: who was a teenager then. And, you know, talking to teenagers.
S1: Very difficult lesson. Yeah, we didn't have a very good
S1: time doing that interview. But yeah. Wow. What a what
S1: a mixed bag. No family member. Yeah.
S2: But I'm so happy to hear that. Will Smith is nine. Oh,
S2: it's
S1: one of the nicest guys on the planet, and I
S1: don't think he
S3: takes anyone for granted, which is, we say it's a
S3: lot of very professional about him. I'll tell you about
S3: my best very quickly. Before we we we would go
S3: too long. I've told this story many times. So you've
S3: heard this story a thousand times what that yeah, my
S3: best was and maybe you is almost predictable.
S1: Why put all your stories at
S3: my best was the rock. So I interviewed him when
S3: this was his first movie, The Scorpion King. They came
S3: to Singapore to do a promo. He was just just
S3: making it in the industry, but he was a very
S3: big WWE wrestler. So anyway, I interview him and you know, Michel,
S3: most interviews when when Time's Up, the Time's Up, bye bye.
S3: They'll chase you off, right? Yeah. Because the star has
S3: many more people to interview that person. So same thing.
S3: I interview the rock again. Only audio, no cameras interview him.
S3: His minder came in and says, Ah, rock, sorry, time's up.
S3: With with Justin, are we going to move on? He
S3: turned is the only movie star to ever do this.
S3: He turned to his mind and said, I am finished
S3: when Justin finishes his questions. Well, it was like, Oh
S3: my God,
S1: it's so nice. I bet he regrets it. Do this
S1: this morning. I waste time with that guy, man.
S3: Which huge movie star? Have you ever heard behaves like that?
S3: You know,
S2: and
S3: I've interviewed him like two or three times since, and
S3: he's always nice, like the persona he puts forward on
S3: his Instagram and all that. That's the real deal. That's
S3: the real Dwayne Johnson. So a lot of people say
S3: he will be the next president of the United States.
S3: I believe that. I believe that he really and awesome
S3: and awesome guy.
S1: Oh yeah. Nice.
S2: Nice, awesome.
S3: Yeah. Oh, did you have one yo yo best Madden
S3: or
S1: no idea what people usually say. I'm their best when
S1: they interviewed me. So yeah, it's again. I know my
S1: best was is and will forever be Michelle Chong.
S3: Oh no, she said no. B.S. answer
S1: yes. And I'm not even being PC because Michelle is always,
S1: you know, so accommodating, so nice, always wants to talk
S1: to us. And it's all real with answers. She's never been.
S1: She's never like, Oh, I cannot tell you this again.
S1: You know you. You you've you've always been very straightforward
S1: this and I appreciate you and I really appreciate it.
S3: The best, Michelle. Hey, thanks for spending
S2: the time with always supported me. Truly, like all my interviews,
S2: I mean, all my movie promos and yeah, and supportive,
S2: and we
S3: will continue to do so the next time you've got
S3: a big project. Yeah, man. Drop us a line. We
S3: will be very
S1: happy to support, even though we're lowly radio people. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.
S3: Michelle, thanks for spending the time. We really appreciate it.
S3: See you soon. Take care and we we hope to
S3: catch up in the near future.
S2: Thank you so much.
S1: Thanks, Michel. You, too. Stay safe.