.jpg)
Ting Lim of Netflix Fisk Series Fame, Video Interview Transcript
- Yadav B V
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
Here is a transcript of my video interview with the Australian Comedienne Ting Lim of Netflix Series Fisk fame. Let me know what you think!
I recommend watching the video, but the transcript is in case you want to read through.
Me: I spoke to Aaron Chen and tried to get him on video. That guy is insane—really funny. I sent him questions, and his answers were so wild that I had to add a disclaimer saying most of what he said isn’t actually true.
One of his answers—I asked something about Crocodile Dundee, and he said, “Yeah, we all carry big knives here in Australia.” He also kept offering to sell things that shouldn’t be sold. At one point, he said he’d send screenshots of the Fisk WhatsApp chats for $500 per screenshot.
Ting: That’s really funny.
Me: He’s hilarious.
Ting: Yeah.
Getting the Role on Fisk
Me: How did you land the role of Deb in Fisk? If I’m not wrong, this was your first TV role, apart from that sketch show… Thank God You’re Here, right?
Ting: Yes, Thank God You’re Here. I played a nanny in that. Actually, that came after Fisk.
I got the part because I was doing a show where Kitty was on the lineup. She stayed to watch and asked me to audition. It was my first audition, so I didn’t expect to get it. When she told me I got the role, I thought, “Oh no, now I actually have to work.”
I just wanted to try auditioning and get better at it. But once you get it, you have to follow through. It ended up being really fun. I had done YouTube sketches before, but everything was DIY—like using baking paper over a lamp for lighting.
On a real TV set, everyone has a role—someone handles sound, someone offers you coffee. It felt nice, but also strange because I wasn’t used to it.
Me: It didn’t feel like your first time at all. You seemed very natural.
Ting: Thank you. I think it helped that we did many takes of the same shot. Sometimes we’d shoot a five-second scene a hundred times. By the end, I was genuinely frustrated—which worked for the character.
On Specific Scenes
Me: Was that the scene with the eccentric client?
Ting: Yes, the one with Harley Breen—he plays this hippie character. That was fun because I already knew him as a comedian, so it made things easier. If I didn’t know anyone on set, I’d probably be much more nervous.
Stand-up Beginnings
Me: How did you get into stand-up comedy?
Ting: I signed up for a comedy course because it was something I’d never do. At the end of the course, you perform a graduation show. The first time I got a laugh, it felt amazing. I loved it so much that I kept chasing that feeling.
Parents & Career Choices
Me: Were your parents ever disappointed that you chose stand-up?
Ting: I didn’t tell them until I was on Netflix. Then my mom was like, “Okay, you’re fine.”
She was never too concerned. She trusts that I’ll take care of myself financially. She’s progressive in that sense—but she still wants me to get married. I’ll take what I can.
She’s also very enthusiastic—sometimes too enthusiastic. She shares my stand-up clips in the family WhatsApp group.
Me: That’s dangerous.
Ting: My siblings roast me. My sister will say things like, “What’s wrong with your hair?” That’s just what siblings do.
Australian Content & Global Reach
Me: I’ve noticed many Australian actors—like Chris Hemsworth, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman—move to Hollywood and don’t talk much about Australian content. Why is that?
Ting: I think when you live in another country, you naturally get immersed in that environment. It’s not that you forget your home country—it’s just what you’re exposed to daily.
That said, more Australian shows are getting picked up by platforms like Netflix and Stan. There’s good content coming out now—Deadloch is great, for example.
Me: But still, it feels underrepresented globally.
Ting: It could be due to scale. The U.S. produces far more content. Also, distribution costs and region-locking play a role. If those barriers were removed, people might watch more Australian content.
Comedy Inspirations
Me: Who are your comedy inspirations?
Ting: My taste changes over time, which I think is good. I used to love Bill Burr—still do. Early on, we’d share his DVDs around among comedians.
I also love Michelle Wolf—she’s a fantastic writer. Dylan Moran’s earlier work is great. Alfie Brown has a special called The Last Cancelled Comedian that I really like.
In Australia, I enjoy Aaron Chen, Dan Rath, He Huang, Ursula Carlson, and Kitty Flanagan. There are many more.
Indian Stand-up Scene
Me: What do Australian comedians think of Indian stand-up?
Ting: I haven’t performed in India, but I’ve seen similarities with Singapore. Both scenes are relatively young compared to the U.S. or the UK.
What’s interesting is the mix of languages—some sets are in English, others include Hindi punchlines. That’s similar to Singapore.
Censorship is a bigger factor in Asian countries, which affects how comedians perform. But it also makes them more creative in how they express ideas.
Also, every Indian comic I’ve met has been really funny.
Dream Collaborations
Me: If you could open for or work with any comedian, who would it be?
Ting: I’d love to open for Ursula Carlson. Also, Ronnie Chieng—he started in Australia before moving to the U.S.
Acting vs Stand-up
Me: Do you have more acting projects coming up?
Ting: No, surprisingly. Fisk was my only major acting role. My focus is on stand-up. If opportunities come from that, great—but I don’t want to move away from comedy.
Tour: “Are You Pho Real?”
Me: Tell me about your tour.
Ting: It’s a one-hour show with new material. I’ll be performing in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. I’m also exploring international locations.
Writing a Comedy Set
Me: How long does it take to build a set?
Ting: It can take years. Ideally, a strong show takes about 1.5 to 2 years to develop. But in Australia, the festival circuit pushes comedians to create a new show every year.
Me: What does “festival circuit” mean?
Ting: That’s where most comedians make their money—events like Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festival. You tour for about six months, then spend the next six months writing a new show.
Fisk WhatsApp Joke
Me: Are you still in the Fisk WhatsApp group? Aaron said he charges $500 per screenshot.
Ting: Do you want one? I’ll charge $51.
Closing
Me: Thanks so much, Ting. Hope to see you again—maybe for another season of Fisk or your tour.
Ting: Thank you. Have a good day.
Me: You too. Bye.
Ting: Bye.
