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SINGAPORE - In case you haven't noticed, there has been a stronger ang moh presence in our local television programmes.
Caucasians used to be about as common a sight as left-handed eels on local TV, and they generally get very specialised acting roles - the ang mohs, not the eels - be it the foreign gambling hotshot or colonial schoolboy.
But just like how the term "ang moh" (a local slang for Caucasian, meaning, literally, "redhead" - or figuratively, "Archie Andrews") conveys a playful, tongue-in-cheek nuance, these actors tease us by flitting in and out of programmes like "Red Thread", "Fighting Spiders" and even Channel 8 dramas like "The Little Nyonya" and "The Ultimatum".
Now isn't that something? Archie never even made it this far east of Riverdale.
The Vegas Ang moh: Bobby Tonelli
You might not recognise him without his sizeable moustache, but Bobby plays the authoritarian father of Frederick Fielding's character in "Fighting Spiders". He's also the much-reported current squeeze of Joanne Peh - although he wouldn't admit to more than being "good friends".
"There's a part of me I'd rather keep private. I never thought I'd make it to the cover of a Chinese paper," added the Fly Entertainment artiste, referring to an article about his and Joanne's relationship. "But they were nice and said I was a good-looking ang moh!"
The 33-year-old has been on the island on-and-off since 1997. Besides modelling, he's also integrated himself into the local television scene with parts in "The Food Bachelor", "The Little Nyonya" and even Suria's "Atas Heights".
You'll also see him in "The Ultimatum" as a dice stacker - something Bobby is no stranger to because this shark was born and bred in Las Vegas. And his father was a casino manager. As for Elvis suits? "I only have three. I'm joking!"
How was your "Little Nyonya" experience?
My first day was nerve-wracking. I only knew what my scenes were. I was like, "Who died? Who's the murderer?" They were like, "It's okay, it's a very long story." I like doing Channel 8. It's fun!
Do you still feel like an ang moh in Singapore, or are you starting to feel like a local?
I'm a foreigner in a different country, so there's going to be a name for it. I use it myself - I'm ang moh. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable here ... I love the food here. I like laksa a lot. And the kaya buns from Chin Mee Chin. But you have to get there early - they're gone by mid-day!
The Mini Ang Moh: Frederick Fielding
Okay, so he's not really all that mini. He's a teenager - and not a short one, either.
Frederick, better known as "Fighting Spiders'" Peter, is originally from England. His father, who is in the shipping business, moved the family here 10 years ago. The 15-year-old, who has three siblings, attends an international school so he "didn't really do so much socialising with the locals until "Fighting Spiders". Now he hangs out at the movies with "Spiders" co-star Edwin Goh.
Was it weird being one of few ang mohs on the Fighting Spiders set?
It really wasn't. Originally, I was nervous because I was the only ang moh. It was actually really great. Everyone was just so nice. It went really well.
What's next for you after Fighting Spiders? Will you keep acting?
I will definitely try to keep this going because I really enjoyed it. I received two offers after Fighting Spiders: One was for a cartoon to be shown next year called Tritans - I'm the voice of one of the characters. The other one was an audition for an upcoming teen drama on okto.
Catch the last episode of "Fighting Spiders" on Tuesday at 8.30 pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 5.The Veteran Ang Moh: Oistein Kristiansen
Oistein's face is familiar, goofy and well-loved - especially with the kiddies. The 44-year-old Norwegian has been on children's television in Singapore since 2000, teaching kids to draw with shows like "Art Factory" and "Cows '*' Crayons". He'll be returning soon with the all-new "Doodlechamps", a drawing competition that pits doodlers against one another, "American Idol" style.
What first brought you here?
I came here as a young cartoonist 17 years ago. I was backpacking and drawing cartoons in every country just to survive.
What advice would you give ang mohs who want to work in entertainment here?
If you look like Brad Pitt, you may be able to float along on your looks alone. Otherwise, develop a solid, clear-cut, identifiable expertise.
Since you love kids so much, do you have any of your own?
No. It's one of the things I have kind of postponed. I'm so busy with work, I don't have time to convince a lady to marry me!
The Local Ang Moh: Paul Foster
This Eurasian has lived in Singapore all his life - apart from his university years in Melbourne - so he's only a semi-ang moh.
Paul's TV debut was in "The Big Unknown", and he was also a "Food Bachelor". Now, the 28-year-old son of a British father and a Peranakan mother juggles a successful modelling career with running his own promotions and marketing company - on top of acting in the dramas "Red Thread" and "Polo Boys".
In the latter, coming in October, Paul - who is single - plays a medical student and water polo team member. "I will still never, ever get used to Speedos!" he told TODAY.
Do people call you 'ang moh' even though you're Eurasian?
Yes. All the time. Well, I look ang moh - I'm half ang moh - but I'm fully Singaporean. Born and bred here. This is my home. I have a Singapore passport. I've done national service.
Are you embracing your man-candy status?
Oh, I love it. I'm so man-candy-super-hunk, man. (Laughs) Literally the other day I was hit on by a guy in the supermarket. Why couldn't it have been a MILF or a hot chick?
Catch "Red Thread" on Tue, Wed and Thu at 8pm. "Polo Boys" starts Oct 15 at 8pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 5.
- TODAY/ar
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