Michael Hing promised himself he would propose to his girlfriend after nine years of being together – but things didn’t quite go as planned.
“Failed, proposal, disaster,” Hing says, when asked to describe his newest comedy special Love Live The Hing to WHO. And a hilarious disaster it was, with the Aussie comedian, broadcaster, and actor’s latest show re-telling every detail of the momentous occasion, which included food poisoning, a once-in-a-lifetime flood and catfishing.
“It’s basically about me trying to propose to my girlfriend and how wrong it all went,” Hing explains. “So if you’re someone who is thinking about proposing, or you’re someone who wants to encourage someone to propose to you, feel free to watch it for some inspiration on what not to do.”
Hing’s best tip for someone planning on getting down on one knee to pop the big question? “Don’t do it at Splendour in The Grass 2022 – it was a flooded nightmare,” he laughs.
“One of the biggest problems with proposals is navigating the surprise element. Because some people like a surprise but some people don’t like a surprise,” he adds.
“So I think you need to spend like six months perfectly gauging your partner’s desire for a surprise before you unfurl any plans.
“Whether or not you plan it directly with them, you should plan it with them in mind. The proposal isn’t about you and a grand romantic gesture, proposals are about them and the possibility of love for the rest of your life.”
Long Live the Hing isn’t just about The Project Host’s less-than-perfect proposal though, with the special also including memorable stories of the perils of sleeping with a mouthguard, a run-in with an acupuncturist, oil wresting and a heist.
The show was recorded at this year’s Sydney Comedy Festival, and like any comedian who braves the live stage, Hing has a number of memorable tales thanks to unpredictable audiences.
“Many years ago I was doing a show and I made a joke about a puppet. I don’t remember what the joke was, but I was just joking about puppets and a guy got up and stormed out,” Hing recalls.
“I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, was it offensive? Did I say something wrong?’ I really like to spiral, because I don’t try to offend people in my comedy or anything. Anyway, I was chatting to the crowd, asking them what had happened, and the lady sitting next to him said: ‘I think he s***t himself.'”
“I’d spent like two minutes being like, ‘What have I done? What have I said to offend him,’ But it turns out he had just had a bad meal or something.”
Hing also recalls the time two members of the audience left in the midst of his show, only to come back half an hour later. After questioning the pair on where they had been, they bluntly revealed that they had gone to the bathroom to be intimate.
“It’s not any comedian’s dream for people to leave your comedy show,” adds Hing. “But if anyone does, that’s a good reason!”
Where to watch Long Live The Hing in Australia
Michael Hing’s new comedy special Long Live The Hing, will premiere Thursday, 28 September at 8.30 pm on 10 and 10 Play.
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