Latest news with #MooDeng
Los Angeles Times
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
There's one ‘SNL' impression Bowen Yang tried to talk his way out of. (It didn't work.)
For the first episode of 'Saturday Night Live's' 50th season, Bowen Yang dressed up as Moo Deng, a baby hippo the internet was then obsessed with. Yang's all-in appearance during the series' 'Weekend Update' segment conflated Moo Deng's journey with that of reluctant pop star Chappell Roan — a surprising combination that captivated the audience. 'I was surprised by the way it took off,' Yang says, speaking over Zoom from New York. 'We were juxtaposing these two cultural things, the ways that people were pushing through any sense of boundaries that these two living beings had. It was observational, and I think the response was this force-multiplying thing where people did not think these two lenses could be stuck on top of each other.' As with many of his popular sketches, Yang found it fascinating to follow the trajectory of the appearance after the episode aired. On one hand, he was thrilled by its levity. But he also describes having 'a self-flagellating instinct' to worry it would lose its relevance. 'It has all these different directional tensions to it, and I'm proud of it,' he says. 'But a sketch is such a disposable medium that is both great and that feels like there is no bottom, so you constantly have to keep filling it.' Since joining 'SNL' as a writer in 2018 and then as a cast member in 2019, Yang has delighted viewers with his willingness to play everyone from a famous hippo to George Santos to Charli XCX. He's sung with Lady Gaga, kissed Ariana Grande and portrayed the iceberg that sank the Titanic. His eclectic approach has not only earned him four Emmy nods for supporting actor in a comedy series but also solidified him as a fan favorite. 'My only intention at the show has been to try as many things as possible,' he says. 'With impressions, I'm like, 'Let me just try it. Let me try my hand at these little dishes and go from there.' That was my approach even when I could have really specialized. And I have the show to thank for giving me an opportunity to try out different things.' There was one impression that Yang was less sure about. In Season 50, 'SNL' creator Lorne Michaels asked Yang to play Vice President JD Vance. The comedian says he 'very intentionally' tried to talk Michaels out of it, but he wouldn't budge. 'So I put my best foot forward,' Yang says. 'I hired a dialect coach. I requested a screen test to get the beard right. I tried color contacts. I feel like I've developed this reputation where I will do my best even if I don't think I'm the best person for it.' Yang says he will step back into Vance's beard again for Season 51 if he's called on to reprise the role, even if he would prefer to put his energy elsewhere. 'It might sound like a complaint to say I really didn't want to do it, but it truly just is me reflecting on it,' Yang says. 'I'm really honored and proud to have done it. And I thought a lot about the legacy of other cast members who have done vice presidential impressions in the past, like Beck Bennett, Jason Sudeikis and Tina Fey. Those are all heroic comedians to me.' Being part of 'SNL' has helped to hone Yang's comedic instincts, as well as his ability to pitch and write sketches on an impossibly fast-paced timeline. He's not sure if being on the late-night show has made him funnier, but it has made him quicker. 'You are absorbing every kind of comedic sensibility and every kind of production instinct,' he says. 'I don't think I'm a better comedian, but I do think I have a sense of how to bring something to the finish line.' This year, Yang made Emmy history by becoming the most-nominated Asian male performer, with a total of four acting nominations. The accolade wasn't something that occurred to Yang until it was published in a headline, but he is nonetheless pleased, calling it a 'genuinely singular thing.' He remembers Michaels telling him that 'people won't know what to make of you' during his first season in the cast, and it's gratifying to know that his Asian and gay identities resonate with the audience. 'The best thing about 'SNL' in the last few years is that it's this really representative cross-section of all different schools of comedy,' Yang says. 'We have club comedians, alt comedians, people who came up on TikTok, sketch people, improv people, Black people, queer people — every kind of comedy has a place in the show.' In November, Yang will return as Pfannee in 'Wicked: For Good.' He also hosts a podcast, 'Las Culturistas,' with Matt Rogers. But after the whirlwind of 'Wicked' going to the Oscars and 'SNL' celebrating its 50th anniversary, Yang is not planning to add anything else to his plate as he prepares for the next season of 'SNL.' Still, he admits that he has considered what he might do next. 'Everyone starts thinking about life after 'SNL' as soon as they start 'SNL,'' he says. 'You constantly think about the outcome once you call it or once it's called for you. I could end up on the chopping block, who knows. That was brought to the fore during 'SNL 50.' No matter what happens here at this place, no matter what the political climate is or the cultural climate is, there's something beautiful about being able to gather and reflect and appreciate each other. I can't wait to be on a porch with James Austin Johnson or Sarah Sherman one day, decades from now, and be like, 'Wow. What a trip.''
The Star
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Thai zoo shares video of Moo Deng mascot on ‘attack' during drill, amuses viewers
A cute video of the mascot hippo Moo Deng simulating an attack during a zoo training drill has gone viral and amused many people online. The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, in Chonburi province near Thailand's capital, Bangkok, published a short film of their emergency response drill on July 21. According to the zoo, it is a rehearsal for a scenario involving an escaped animal. A staff member was dressed as the zoo's superstar, the pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng, and pretended to have escaped from her enclosure. While on the run, the mascot Moo Deng attacked a member of staff, giving them her famous bite. As staff members cordoned off the area, a team of veterinarians and animal care staff then rounded Moo Deng up and 'sedated' her. As the mascot passed out, a group of staff carried her onto a stretcher and into an ambulance. They then ran a health check on her and made sure she was fit to be returned to her exhibit area. The playful video has gained 53,000 reactions and 1,700 comments on the zoo's social media page, which has amassed 560,000 followers. Many said they were amused by the clip. 'I laughed throughout the whole clip,' one person said. 'It is so much fun. I want it to be on Netflix,' said another. 'Be careful. The hippo is a fierce species,' another joked. 'It is hot and tiring, but the staff in the Moo Deng suit is working hard,' said a fourth. The real Moo Deng was in her enclosure for the duration of the drill, resting after her extravagant birthday celebration event, according to the Bangkok Post. On July 10, Moo Deng celebrated her first birthday. The zoo held a four-day party for her and prepared a 20kg cake made from her favourite tropical fruits. Moo Deng, whose name means 'bouncy pork' in Thai, captured the hearts of fans all over the world shortly after her birth for her naughty and charming character. Her carers have been posting moments of her trying to bite them, playing with a hosepipe, and mimicking her mother, 26-year-old Jona, who lives beside her, eating. She has since inspired memes and products such as blushers and clothing. Many people have also dressed as her to attend events, one of the most famous cosplayers being Chinese-American comedian and Saturday Night Live cast member Bowen Yang. The drill featuring the Moo Deng mascot was part of the zoo's annual safety plan, the zoo's director, Narongwit Chodchoi, said. Chodchoi said the drill 'helps us build confidence among staff and assure our visitors that we are fully prepared for even the most unexpected situations'.
South China Morning Post
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Thai zoo shares viral video of Moo Deng mascot simulating attack during drill, amuses viewers
A cute video of the mascot hippo Moo Deng simulating an attack during a zoo training drill has gone viral and amused many people online. Advertisement The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, in Chonburi province near Thailand's capital, Bangkok, published a short film of their emergency response drill on July 21. According to the zoo, it is a rehearsal for a scenario involving an escaped animal. A staff member was dressed as the zoo's superstar, the pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng, and pretended to have escaped from her enclosure. The Moo Deng mascot is carried away on a stretcher by zoo staff after her exertions during the safety drill. Photo: handout While on the run, the mascot Moo Deng attacked a member of staff, giving them her famous bite.
CNA
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
'Moo Deng' escapes from Thai zoo in animal safety drill
Scroll up for the next video X 'Moo Deng' escapes from Thai zoo in animal safety drill
Bangkok Post
20-07-2025
- General
- Bangkok Post
The loveliness of a flying beetle
The recent cricket match between England and India at Lord's was reportedly briefly delayed by a swarm of ladybirds which were bothering the players. It is believed to be the first recorded instance of "ladybirds stopped play". More importantly, swarm is not the correct term for these flying beetles. The collective noun for ladybirds (ladybugs for our American friends) is a "loveliness". You only have to utter "a 'loveliness' of ladybirds" to appreciate its poetic potential and it even has a William Wordsworth feel to it. Ladybirds are one of the more attractive species in the insect kingdom with a reddish colouring and three spots on each wing. I recall my father telling me to treat ladybirds with respect as they were "good for the garden". Apparently they eat pests like aphids and creepy crawlies. It prompted me to look at some of the more unusual collective nouns for a gathering of creatures. One that caught the eye was "shrewdness" of apes. They acquired the description as an acknowledgement of their intelligence. Jellyfish are common to Thai coastal waters and when they get together they are known as a "smack" because when they sting it resembles the pain of a strong smack. So beware, there are a few nasty ones lurking in the shallows. A gathering of Thailand's national animal, the elephant, is commonly called a "herd" but alternatively a more refined description is a "memory" of elephants. Incidentally, when Australia's kangaroos get together it is called a "mob", which seems a trifle unfair. Ask the owls Fans of Thailand's celebrity pygmy hippo "Moo Deng" may be interested to learn that when there is a gathering of hippos the collective term is a "bloat", a reference to their bloated appearance. Some of the terms are self-explanatory, including a "tower" of giraffes. I particularly like a "flamboyance" of flamingos. Perhaps the most appropriate collective noun is a "parliament" of owls. You get the feeling that there are many parliaments around the world which could learn a lot from those wise old birds. Fly away home There is a nursery rhyme Ladybird, Ladybird that like many such rhymes has a dark side referencing 16th century priests in England being burnt at the stake. Of course as children we were not aware of the uncomfortable history. There was a small overgrown plot near my house and in the summer it attracted a host of ladybirds, or rather a "loveliness". Children were told it would bring good luck if you placed a ladybird in your hand, made a wish and blew it away while reciting the rhyme, which went something like this: "Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home/ Your house is on fire and your children are gone/ All except one and her name is Ann/ And she hid under the frying pan." I don't recall it ever bringing me any luck. Lady Bird Readers will be aware that America's First Lady from 1963–69 was known as Lady Bird Johnson, wife of US president Lyndon Baines Johnson. Her first name was Claudia but when she was at a young age a nursemaid referred to her as being "as pretty as a ladybird" and the nickname stuck throughout her life. It remains unclear whether the nurse was referring to a bird or the ladybird beetle as Americans usually called the beetle a "ladybug". Nonetheless when she was resident at the White House every US citizen knew her as Lady Bird. Lady Bird became a passionate conservationist and loved the outdoors. Her message "where flowers bloom so does hope" inspired a lot of people. Dry nicknames Most nicknames for US First Ladies are fairly straightforward, but there are a few that require some explanation. Sarah Polk, wife of the 11th president James Knox Polk, was known as "Sahara Sarah". Her disapproval of alcohol prompted White House receptions to be termed "as dry as the Sahara desert". Possessing similar views on booze was Lucy Webb Hayes, wife of president Rutherford Hayes. Hence her nickname, "Lemonade Lucy". President John Tyler's wife Julia was very stylish and had a presidential look about her and became known as "Lady Presidentress". Another First Lady who had a strong presence was Florence Harding who was known as the "Duchess" owing to her perceived influence over husband Warren. Rosalynn Carter was nicknamed "The Steel Magnolia". Although she looked as fragile as the flower she was very strong and resilient. Sycamore justice Readers familiar with the Sycamore Gap case in England will probably have seen that the two men found guilty of illegally felling the iconic tree were given four-year jail sentences on Tuesday. The 150-year-old tree was located in Northumberland next to Hadrian's Wall and stood out as the solitary tree in a natural dip in the hills. It was a photographer's dream with its striking silhouette becoming familiar to people around the world. There is not much more to add to this sorry episode except that it is still not clear why they committed such a senseless act. The judge dismissed pleas that it was just "drunken stupidity" and put it down to "sheer bravado" noting that the pair seemed to have enjoyed their subsequent notoriety. The prosecution had earlier termed it "the arboreal equivalent of a mindless mugging" which summed it up nicely.
