Asia Uncut relocates to Shanghai

Jon Niermann and the Asia Uncut crew are back with a new and improved Season Two bringing Western-style, late-night chat and more into living rooms across Asia.

Following a successful maiden season in Singapore with Jon Niermann landing Asian Television’s “Best Entertainment Presenter’” award, the Asia Uncut crew packed their bags and moved north to Shanghai partnering with locally based FLY Films for the ultimate show make-over.

Just how new, you ask?

A whole lot of new. New digs, new look, new additions. “A total reinvention” according to director Eric Ransdell. “We’ve done a total reinvention of the show; the idea was to provide our viewers with an American-style, late-night talk show in both content and look and feel."

With this initial success shooting in Singapore, it was a surprise for some to see the show move to Shanghai, but the move made sense to Ransdell. “In the last ten years, Shanghai has gone from being something of a novelty to Asia's center of gravity,” he explains.

“Plus, as most of us already resided in Shanghai, it was a relevant decision to move the show,” adds Niermann. “Being based in such a cool and vibrant city has really helped us bring the show to the next level.”

The first of its kind

Going beyond chitchat with a solid blend of comedy, music and celebrity, this season’s return of Asia Uncut, complete with The Asia Uncut House Band, is the first and only English language night-time talk show aired Asia-wide (except in mainland China).

Lifting the veil each week between East and West, viewers, from big time fans to cultural newbies, can catch a firsthand glance at local and international personalities from all corners of the entertainment industry. 

“The show’s meant to be a lot of fun,” says Niermann. “We’re not a news program. We wanted to create a comfortable platform where celebrities could show their true personality. Millions may know the face and name, but few have ever had the chance to sit down and listen to a good one-on-one with Ed Norton and Donnie Yen.”

Asia’s hottest talent also has a lot to gain with unprecedented exposure to the network’s approximate 120 million English-speaking viewers via 53 countries across Asia and the Middle East.

“The show's received great buzz with word of mouth in the entertainment industry spreading like wildfire,” notes producer Norman Wong.

What to expect in Season Two?

Known for his unpredictability on set and off, surely followers are curious to see what Jon has up his proverbial sleeve. If the recently celebrity line up of Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Mandira Bedi and Edison Chen is any sign, fans have quite a lot to look forward to.