BEING ignorant over information-based shows on TV, I dreaded the idea of interviewing the people from Cyberwave. Not because I was afraid of asking dumb and irrelevant questions (which I normally do), but because I was afraid that I might have to endure long hours of boring computer talk with three guys whom I passed off as equally boring (nevermind that one of them was a two-time Olympian). However, nothing prepared me for what I was about to go through.
I had not watched Cyberwave but rumour has it that it's a pretty hip show. So, thick-faced and hesitantly, I asked Keith Liu, the big-man cum producer, to give me an overview.
Left:
Co-hosts Jeffrey Ong and Vernon Adrian Emuang during a recording of 'Cyberwave.
"Cyberwave is generally about Information Technology (IT). It talks
about IT from a very human perspective."
Human perspective?
I was about to scoff at this one when he continued, "Most people are either afraid of IT or don't know about it. This show makes it accessible to the public by turning the computing experience into something that's enjoyable and relates to all of us.
"The show targets people who don't know about computers, but tries not to insult the intelligence of those who already know about them," Keith added. "It is a very family-orientated show. For the young and the old."
"A lot of people don't read computer supplements in the newspapers because they find that the terms and sentences are intimidating. That is why in Cyberwave we try to make it easy to follow. Kind of like an infotainment programme," he said, "Or user-friendly," interrupted Ong.
Still, I couldn't just take their word for it so I was brought into another room to sit through one or two segments from previous shows. I couldn't decline or escape from what I genuinely thought was overbearing. So bravely, I went into the room.
Only five minutes into the show (the Fashion episode) and I was already laughing. . Plus I actually learned something about the thinking machine (although I can't for the life of me remember what it was).
"We have fun doing it. The interaction between Vernon and myself is genuine. I guess that's what makes the audience feel drawn to the show," said Ong.
Just as I suspected, the idea for the show came from Liu (right),
the 26-year-old producer.
"Initially, the idea of having an IT programme propped up in October 1995. But things only started moving in April 1996, when Singapore came up with their own IT show, and that prompted us to come up with Cyberwave.
"We realised that the media really has to do something to promote IT because of the Multimedia Supercorridor (MSC). The newspapers have been doing it for years now but it's all in print. The movements and sounds cannot be projected on paper. So the next best thing is of course television."
To this, Ong announced "His highness is here, at last," referring to the late arrival of Emuang or "the other host" as he humbly admitted.
"Sometimes when Jeffrey and I go out for dinner, people immediately recognise us as Jeffrey and 'the other guy'," he said.
So here was 'the other guy' standing next to his towering co-host. They both agreed that the physical differences between them were a bit awkward at first but they eventually "grew" out of it.
"I was thinking, this guy is going to make me look like a midget," said Emuang to which Ong answered, "Well, the truth hurts, doesn't it?"
"The first time we did a shooting we had to put Vernon in front and Jeffrey at the back" said Liu.
"Our body language showed that we were not comfortable with each other's differences," added Emuang.
"But as time went on, we started to get to know each other, throwing ideas at the producers. Also the producers began to write scripts which were more zany."
Off-screen, the team, which includes Connie Tan and David Cheng as assistant producers, discusses upcoming episodes and scripts. We like to try out new things.
"Some people tell us that some of the jokes are over-done or the hosts overact, but some just love it. So naturally, we go with the majority. Somehow we've managed to hold on to a common perspective," said Emuang.
Emuang, despite his boyish-looks and small build, is 36-years-old. ("But he's the most juvenile among us all," Ong offers). Ong is 25.
"Being the oldest among the team does not bother me at all. You are only as old as you think you are. We are all young at heart actually. This is what enables us to come up with fresh ideas which is important because most of our viewers are young," Emuang said.
Ironically, none of these three "masterminds" have ever had any formal computer education. They all admit that it is more of a hobby for them.
"More than a hobby, I think. I had a passion for it," said Ong. "I became fascinated with computers when I was still in university and I read a lot about computers," added Liu.
So why then, or how, were they snatched up to host Cyberwave?
"I met Keith when we were involved in a theatre production in 1995. Then one thing led to another, and Keith asked if I would like to host a show and I agreed and went for the audition," said Emuang.
"I guess they took me in because of my computer knowledge and also because I'm a theatre man. I try and involve myself as often as I can with theatre here."
Emuang is a part-timer on TV3; by day he is the creative director of an advertising firm.
Ong on the other hand, was snatched up because some people thought that he did not look much like a Nightline reader (a few might remember seeing Ong anchoring the Nightline show some time ago).
"After a few stints with Mega TV and other creative stuff, the current affairs people decided to put me on Cyberwave," he said.
According to Liu, it is more common to have a man and a woman co-hosting a show rather than two guys.
"But when we put them together, we saw that they were great. It's not always that two guys can host a show and be very entertaining or agreeable at the same time."
"Maybe someday, one of us will cross-dress. You'd look good in heels Vernon," Ong chipped in cheekily.
And just how far do these guys want Cyberwave to go?
"Into the next millenium," said Emuang confidently, backed by Liu, while Ong cleverly quipped, "Yeah, through the MSC and longer. Maybe even call it Cyberombak someday!"
As the interview drew to an end, I was quite convinced that these three young men were really entertaining. Some viewers say that some of their jokes and gimmicks are a bit "over-done" on TV. But in the flesh, these guys are genuinely funny and not a bit boring. This, however, does not mean that they don't take their role in informing, educating and entertaining (in other words, Cyberwave) seriously.
"Always take your job seriously, but never yourself. Learn to laugh at yourself." Best advice I've ever received. And as Emuang says after every show, "Stay Blessed Malaysia!"
The show comes on every Saturday at 6.30pm on TV3. Visit Cyberwave's homepage* at http://www.asia.online.com.my/cyberwave/ and learn more about the show, the hosts and practically everything else you want to know about IT.