Talkshow Obviously Harith Iskander to debut on Astro Awani

THE hugely popular Harith Iskander will be hosting Malaysia's first late-night show, aptly named Obviously Harith Iskander (OHI).
This 13-episode talk show will premiere on May 28 at 9.30pm over on Astro Awani (Astro Channel 501) with guests Air Asia's Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and vocalist Dasha Logan.
Faizal Mansor, Chief Executive Officer of Astro Awani said, "As Malaysia's number one 24/7 news channel, Awani continues to keep Malaysians informed on the latest breaking news and current affairs. Today, Awani is available on TV, mobile and online. While the channel reaches out to 73% of urban viewers, our digital presence continues to grow, with more than 150 million unique page views for calendar year 2015 alone, we are today one of the top destinations for news in Malaysia. Our social media average monthly reach is at a staggering 60 million with over 3 million fans across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube."
"The idea to produce a late-night talk show was inspired by the popularity of talk shows hosted by comedians Jimmy Fallon, James Corden and Jimmy Kimmel to name a few. With over two million Astro viewers tuning into comedy programmes, we are excited to team up with Harith Iskander, Malaysia's most loved comedian for our inaugural late-night talk show, OHI for our viewers. Asia's best stand-up comedian, Harith is an icon who has entertained Malaysians over two decades and Awani is delighted to have him host OHI."
Harith Iskander said, "I cannot describe how thrilled and honoured I am to be joining forces with Awani. All the elements are in place; the audience is primed and landscape for infotainment news is established. OHI will set a new precedent for Malaysian TV. We will show what we are capable of, if not equal to, possibly better than what the rest of the world has to offer. Now, I must excuse myself to go pick up a few good looking suits and probably get a nice haircut."
Viewers can expect topical monologues in which Harith makes fun of the day's news, comedy sketches, celebrity interviews and musical performances by new and current artists. OHI promises a lineup of interesting personalities such as Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Shila Amzah, Jaclyn Victor, Dato' Seri Nazir Razak and Adibah Noor.
Joining Harith on stage on every epsiode is local jazz legend, Michael Veerapan who will serve as the show's musical director and band leader.
Harith was named Asia's Best Stand-Up Comedian Award by Top 10 Of Asia Award 2014, and he is also the first Malaysian stand-up comedian to have played to a crowd of 9,000 in Stadium Putra for Laugh Malaysia, the biggest stand-up comedy show in the country's history.
Viewers can also catch all the web exclusive content on www.obviouslyharith.com as well as follow it @obviouslyharith across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.