In addition to starring in two runaway hits, Crazy Rich Asians and Marvel’s Shang-Chi, Ronny Chieng’s Netflix comedy special Asian Comedian Destroys America! landed so big globally they went right ahead and handed him a deal for three more. His current special, Ronny Chieng: Speakeasy finds the actor, comedian and Daily Show correspondent dropping rage bombs and controversial (hilarious) jokes in a Bond-worthy, ivory shawl-lapeled tux. In other words, who better to give us tips on nailing that wedding toast.
Instead of leaving them wondering, ‘Who invited this guy?’ follow Chieng’s advice on keeping it short and tidy (i.e., leave the sex jokes at home) and shooting from the heart.
1. EMBARRASSING THE GROOM OR BRIDE IS NOT THE POINT
“As a complete comedy amateur you may feel the strong urge to tell some embarrassing sexual stories about the groom or bride. Resist that urge. It’s tacky, hacky and nobody will like it, except maybe you.”
2. WHEN IN DOUBT, KEEP IT SHORT
“A killer five minutes is better than a self-indulgent 10 minutes. Being heartfelt is all well and good, but clarity and structure go a long way in helping you say what you want to in the shortest way possible. And even if you suck, it won’t matter because it’ll be over before anyone can feel it.”
3. AVOID THE CLICHE INTERNET QUOTES
“I mean, you CAN plagiarize the internet if you’re just trying to get through the toast. But if you’re reading this, it’s probably because you want to make a GOOD toast. So avoid the usual Instagram quotes about what “love is” unless you absolutely have to.”
4. USE SELF DEPRECATION AS A TOOL
“Unless being high status is your gimmick, use self deprecation to win the crowd over. Everyone would agree that writing a wedding toast that’s unique and engaging and meaningful IS a tough task, so if you’re doubting your material, just lead with that.”
5. BE AUTHENTIC
“You’re not trying to win a speaking competition. The best wedding speech I ever saw was the one my wife wrote for her mother at our wedding. Despite English not being my mother-in-law’s first language, my wife managed to work with her to write a speech with clarity, structure and great jokes, written in grammar and vocabulary that my mother-in-law naturally uses. All because they started from a place of authenticity.”
CHECK OUT RONNY
COMING SOON
As Inspector Sun in the animated feature Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow
In Blumhouse And Atomic Monster’s Tech Horror Thriller M3GAN
OUT NOW
His Netflix comedy special Speakeasy
BEST OF
As Eddie Cheng in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
As Eddie Cheng in Crazy Rich Asians
His Netflix comedy special Asian Comedian Destroys America!
