Really enjoyable and often funny take of life on Australian University campus. The season focuses on Semester One. Sadly there is no further semesters. But it is still watchable treat for the seven episode available.
11 Reviews
Egg tarts. Do you want some? So exotic and delicious!
sharky_5524 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This shouldn't really work. How often does the transition from comedy to film/TV come good anyway? The issue, usually, is that comedic personas can't just be switched off. They need grandstanding and constant approval; their timing comes from one-liners and punchlines spooled out at designated intervals. That's where they get their rhythm from. The crowd's applause forms their feedback loop. I'm not sure Ronny Chieng even has an off switch. He's 100%, all the time. But in spite of this, and despite a pathetic 6 episode order from ABC, in which season 1 basically acts as an extended pilot, Ronny Chieng International Student is more than watchable.
The college setting is a familiar one, a pretext to bring together Australia's cultural melting plot in that zany period between adolescence and full-blown adulthood. Anything can and will happen, as the old adage goes. Watching, I was inexplicably reminded of Community, with the same sense of unbridled energy and innovation. 'Extension Quest' frames Ronny's budding romance with Asher and his eagerness to help her out with an assessment as an old-school computer game; his mad dashing around campus syncs with the beat of an 8-bit music track, and each successful step flashes a pixelated new objective. It's a Dan Harmon bit (who actually put an entire episode into an 8-bit adventure game, amongst an array of other gimmicks), albeit underdeveloped.
The writing leans on some easy stereotypes - the washed-up professor, the Asian academic savant, the American frat-boy, the snobby private school kid - but there's an undeniable sense of freshness that just can't be replicated. Part of the reason why is that the show is pitched at a modern level, about modern issues and sensibilities. Unlike so many other sitcoms which still deal with stale airplane food, RCIS taps into a socially conscious culture and an audience that wants to have discussions about Asian representation and immigration, who are environmentally conscious but also like to poke fun at extremist versions of this ideology through prickly caricatures like Todd. There are elements of sly satire here that don't overly politicise the show (even if an Asian lead on Australian television is an inherently political statement) - they're just breadcrumbs to pick up on. Asian and Aussie fusion? Like oil and water, and yet Asher and Ronny are living proof of the concept.
Chieng surprises us. He writes his fictionalised self big shoes to fill for what is ultimately a too ambitious task - you can feel the show skipping ahead in its chronology just to match the conventional pacing of a full season. Zap - a crush develops. Zap - the villain turns face. But we learn to like these characters beyond their labels, and in this regard the show's biggest revelation is Chieng himself. For so long I had pigeonholed his comedy because he was the living, breathing embodiment of the angry Asian stereotype that Daniel presses onto him; and yes, there are moments where he is crass and profane, and seems to be merely monologuing in stand-up. But perhaps that was just me narrowing the definitions for Asian representation. There's undeniably a fully-fleshed character in there somewhere screaming for a second season, and we shouldn't dismiss this just because a heavy accent reminds us of a bad stereotype. This is a big step, even if we might not realise it yet.
The college setting is a familiar one, a pretext to bring together Australia's cultural melting plot in that zany period between adolescence and full-blown adulthood. Anything can and will happen, as the old adage goes. Watching, I was inexplicably reminded of Community, with the same sense of unbridled energy and innovation. 'Extension Quest' frames Ronny's budding romance with Asher and his eagerness to help her out with an assessment as an old-school computer game; his mad dashing around campus syncs with the beat of an 8-bit music track, and each successful step flashes a pixelated new objective. It's a Dan Harmon bit (who actually put an entire episode into an 8-bit adventure game, amongst an array of other gimmicks), albeit underdeveloped.
The writing leans on some easy stereotypes - the washed-up professor, the Asian academic savant, the American frat-boy, the snobby private school kid - but there's an undeniable sense of freshness that just can't be replicated. Part of the reason why is that the show is pitched at a modern level, about modern issues and sensibilities. Unlike so many other sitcoms which still deal with stale airplane food, RCIS taps into a socially conscious culture and an audience that wants to have discussions about Asian representation and immigration, who are environmentally conscious but also like to poke fun at extremist versions of this ideology through prickly caricatures like Todd. There are elements of sly satire here that don't overly politicise the show (even if an Asian lead on Australian television is an inherently political statement) - they're just breadcrumbs to pick up on. Asian and Aussie fusion? Like oil and water, and yet Asher and Ronny are living proof of the concept.
Chieng surprises us. He writes his fictionalised self big shoes to fill for what is ultimately a too ambitious task - you can feel the show skipping ahead in its chronology just to match the conventional pacing of a full season. Zap - a crush develops. Zap - the villain turns face. But we learn to like these characters beyond their labels, and in this regard the show's biggest revelation is Chieng himself. For so long I had pigeonholed his comedy because he was the living, breathing embodiment of the angry Asian stereotype that Daniel presses onto him; and yes, there are moments where he is crass and profane, and seems to be merely monologuing in stand-up. But perhaps that was just me narrowing the definitions for Asian representation. There's undeniably a fully-fleshed character in there somewhere screaming for a second season, and we shouldn't dismiss this just because a heavy accent reminds us of a bad stereotype. This is a big step, even if we might not realise it yet.
Hilarity ensued by a true Malaysian
NickRegian0078718 February 2020
As a half Malaysian myself, I can say that Ronnie clearly is the typical stereotype which bodes well with the comedic aspect of this show surrounding university life. He reminds me of Donald Duck, always annoyed and easily triggered by something. I don't think I ever saw him smile or laugh in all 7 episodes of the first season, I mean let's face it, in reality no one is ever going to want to hang out with someone who is quite the overly opinionated, mood dampener. The writing and comedic gags are clever. Ronnie's on screen mom is brilliant. Great acting and interesting storylines. Elvin steals the show bahaha.
Smile Ronnie...life ain't so bad [^_^]
Smile Ronnie...life ain't so bad [^_^]
Refreshing Australian Comedy
belindamissen-19 June 2017
I can't tell you how much I love this show. Originally filmed as a single pilot episode in 2016, ABC showed this as part of its Comedy Showroom. Six pilots, one winner - and viewers got to vote on what became a full series. I'm so glad Ronny Chieng: International Student made it.
There are a heap of things I love about this: + shot in Melbourne, showcasing Melbourne Uni. I love seeing Melbourne represented raw on television. It's not dressed up and air-brushed, it's a university campus, warts and all. + yeah, some of the characters are stereotypes, we all knew that guy who was about forty but was still studying (why?). But it's an accurate part of uni life. + the comedy is on point, and topical. + cheaply made, but well polished.
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this back in 2016, and I look forward to more episodes.
There are a heap of things I love about this: + shot in Melbourne, showcasing Melbourne Uni. I love seeing Melbourne represented raw on television. It's not dressed up and air-brushed, it's a university campus, warts and all. + yeah, some of the characters are stereotypes, we all knew that guy who was about forty but was still studying (why?). But it's an accurate part of uni life. + the comedy is on point, and topical. + cheaply made, but well polished.
I'm so glad I stumbled upon this back in 2016, and I look forward to more episodes.
Brilliant comedy
icehawkos14 July 2017
Wow, another amazing Australian show my fellow Americans will probably never hear about (Maximum Choppage anyone?) - hilarious look at college from the viewpoint of an Asian character with all the best stereotypes from our days in college - the crazy studious ones, the nerds, the partyer, etc. Some killer dialogue/lines (remember to roll it all the way down the shaft!), I really hope this show gets multiple seasons so we can enjoy Ronny's epic adventures in law school. Now I'm off to reverse engineer some cold tablets, see you soon!
Likable, but a bit too broad and general in the writing and delivery
bob the moo12 November 2017
I confess a bias here – and it is a bias not to like this show. Ronny Chieng is one of the reasons I stopped watching the Daily Show – one of the many reasons, it must be said, but still one of them. His material always seemed to be focused on his father's disappointment in him, and he rarely was allowed to break out of that narrow lane. In a way his show 'International Student' doesn't throw him open too much on top of that, since it plays generally on stereotypes of nationality, race, and gender. It does this within a very broad setting of the university campus where Ronny and some others are based.
Supposedly this is based on Chieng's own experiences in Australia, but I hope this is not true since the comedy is lacking in any sort of specific insight or anchor. The broad jokes and scenarios are fun though, and I liked it as I watched it – although at the same time there was not too much else to it beyond this. It is nice to see yet another Australian mainstream show that has a different voice in terms of who makes it and who it features, but the truth is that generic comedy is generic comedy no matter what race is making it. So it is here – and again, I did like it for its broad humor and silliness, but it always feels obvious in what it does, and the laughs are not sharp or unique enough to make a difference.
On the basis of this I'd give any second season a watch for the sake of being an easy and enjoyable thing to watch – but this is hardly high praise. Quite fun if nothing else is on, but not worth seeking it out.
Supposedly this is based on Chieng's own experiences in Australia, but I hope this is not true since the comedy is lacking in any sort of specific insight or anchor. The broad jokes and scenarios are fun though, and I liked it as I watched it – although at the same time there was not too much else to it beyond this. It is nice to see yet another Australian mainstream show that has a different voice in terms of who makes it and who it features, but the truth is that generic comedy is generic comedy no matter what race is making it. So it is here – and again, I did like it for its broad humor and silliness, but it always feels obvious in what it does, and the laughs are not sharp or unique enough to make a difference.
On the basis of this I'd give any second season a watch for the sake of being an easy and enjoyable thing to watch – but this is hardly high praise. Quite fun if nothing else is on, but not worth seeking it out.
great show but runs out of steam
richardfullarton-531082 January 2018
A great mix of comedy.
chrischapallaz25 December 2018
This fits all the characterstics of a great show. The show feels natural and not trying too hard like many other Aussie shows. Each episode is a slightly different dynamic so you might find you like some episodes more than others.
Overall I highly recommend this show for everyone that's into light hearted comedy and doesn't mind some stereotyping humour.
Overall I highly recommend this show for everyone that's into light hearted comedy and doesn't mind some stereotyping humour.
I swear
Headturner126 February 2022
I had watched about 7 episodes or more and then there wasn't any more( on Youtube). I watched about half an episode last week and wasn't into it. Last night I watched all the episodes( I guess) and really enjoyed it. I really liked the episode where the American guy comes to stay in their dorm. These angsty teenage Ozzy shows are my faves I wish there were more seasons. Before this I found a similar funny but American show( done so Australian) Dorm life ( with like 7-10 min episodes) that I really liked. I'll go back to that tonight. Any ways overall I really quite liked this,.
Reviews
hogan-myra2 February 2020
Interesting premise with potential, but ultimately lacked execution
sha0skywalker6 November 2017
I really wanted to like this comedy. I watched every episode except for the pilot. So I may have been missing some plot elements. The comedy is about a Malaysian student studying law at Melbourne University. He lives in a house with other international students and one American. Although termed International, it's really all Asians except for one American.
Overall, I thought the writing, directing and acting were all sub par. The titular character is just not funny, it seems like he's got a stick up his ass at all times. He complains 90% of the time and other 10% of the time he's trying too hard to be funny.
As for the dialogue, I feel like sometimes they thrown in a bunch of cuss words just to try to be funny. The comedic timing is off in many of their scenes. It feels awkward.
As for the title of the show, they should've just called him International Law Student considering that pretty much all of the student characters are in the law school.
This show has potential, but the directing, the writing, and the acting must improve. Especially for the main character. In fact I think they should use a different actor for Ronny Chieng.
Overall, I thought the writing, directing and acting were all sub par. The titular character is just not funny, it seems like he's got a stick up his ass at all times. He complains 90% of the time and other 10% of the time he's trying too hard to be funny.
As for the dialogue, I feel like sometimes they thrown in a bunch of cuss words just to try to be funny. The comedic timing is off in many of their scenes. It feels awkward.
As for the title of the show, they should've just called him International Law Student considering that pretty much all of the student characters are in the law school.
This show has potential, but the directing, the writing, and the acting must improve. Especially for the main character. In fact I think they should use a different actor for Ronny Chieng.
See also
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