Review by Julian Hall

There is a huge maths problem at the heart of Australian comedian Jason Chong's show; it just doesn't add up. On the one hand, he’s a dab hand at musical comedy and visual gimmickry, on the other he has some really sketchy routines that just haven't been worked out yet.

Without a doubt, a friendly – if excitable – host, Chong seems adept at pressing our buttons as well his actual PowerPoint ones. On the screen, he likens a photo of his ex-girlfiend to Tintin with pinpoint accuracy and sets up an array of images of dogs dressed as anything from cheerleaders to space shuttles while singing about them in a canine inspired version of The Sound Of Music standard, My Favourite Things.

It seems Chong is best when anything but a mic in his hands. He picks up a guitar for a song called Am I Not Asian Enough?, in response to casting agents who haven't picked for acting roles (hmm, an actor too, this is beginning to add up...) and carrying the theme of reclaiming his Asian characteristics: ‘You can call me racist names/but you'll never beat me at video games’.

As far as out-and-out stand-up goes, Chong fares less well and anecdotes such as meeting his girlfriend's father for the first time are unfinished, whle his restless diversions from his premises give him away as uncomfortable with his spoken word material.

Despite this major downfall, there is a lot to like about this hour and his finale that comes courtesy of a child's Transformers toy is very amusing. Chong, however, still has more changes to make. 

Review date: 16 Aug 2010
Reviewed by: Julian Hall