HE is a jack of all trades but a master of none, by his own admission. And that is just how he likes it.
Datuk Mizal Zaini (or AC Mizal) admits that many funnymen and singers outshine him, so having diverse talents is his way of effectively stamping his mark in the local entertainment industry.
The former Akademi Fantasia and AC Di Sini host who also starred in Cuci The Musical and Gerak Khas The Movie, will soon have his own television network that broadcasts homegrown entertainment programmes alongside RTM, TV3, ntv7, 8TV and TV9.
His new terrestrial television station, which he jokingly calls “AC TV” will take off in the middle of 2020.
It is officially known as Awesome TV or ATV in short, and AC co-owns it with his wife Datin Emilia Rosnaida Abdul Hamid and their businessman friend Datuk Adam Ilyas.
“Awesome TV will have one channel for the time-being, and we plan to increase the number of channels to five in the long run,” said AC at the launch of his new sitcom Pop Yeah Yeah at Balai Berita in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur recently.
“All of the programmes will be homegrown, meaning we won't be importing sitcoms or cartoons from the United States. Awesome TV is part of my mission to ‘bring up’ promising new television producers and directors. In other words, it is my platform to showcase original works from aspiring Malaysian filmmakers.”
AC added that 60 per cent of Awesome TV's first channel will be dedicated to comedy and the remaining 40 per cent to music programmes, talk shows, dramas and news programmes.
“In the long run, we plan to have one wholly comedy channel, one wholly music channel and one wholly current affairs channel, so that no one channel of Awesome TV is the same,” he said.
“More than 50 titles from local filmmakers are being considered for Awesome TV. We won't be accepting all of them, and the screening process is on-going until early next year. But this is our assurance to all Malaysian TV producers, we will do our best to slot your original productions in our channels later.”
When asked if he had roped in any popular comedian, actor or television host for Awesome TV's productions, AC said he had a few in mind but the list “had not been finalised”.
“I'm great friends with my co-stars in Cuci such as Datuk Afdlin Shauki and Datuk Awie. God willing, I'll have their productions screened on Awesome TV someday.”
AC also revealed that Awesome TV plans to set aside RM200 million to assist budding young television producers to create original works for broadcast next year. “Programmes need not be in Malay only. They can also be in English and Chinese. We want the Bangsa Malaysia spirit to prevail,” he said.
Will AC appear in his own sitcoms, dramas and talk shows on Awesome TV?
“No, highly unlikely unless I am a guest star. Since I'm co-owner and co-founder of the station, I would rather be less in the foreground and more in the background. Awesome TV is for the newcomers,” he said.
On another note, AC said Pop Yeah Yeah was his idea, and it paid tribute to the “swinging 1970s” where fashion was “outrageous yet memorable”.
“That was the era in which I spent my pre-teen years.There were lots of funky disco dancers and pop singers with long hair, large sunglasses, bell-bottomed trousers and floral shirts in bright colours. And Saturday Night Fever was a very definitive film of the decade,” he said.
TRIBUTE TO THE 1970S
AC revealed that Pop Yeah Yeah tells the story of Jeffry Don, a pop singer who looks up to the legendary Datuk Jeffrydin but is hardly a good singer. Nevertheless, he is a good cook and fashion stylist, and establishes his own restaurant that pays tribute to 1970s pop culture, including jukeboxes.
“Jeffry Don, whom I play, is an overrated performer. But he is a good entrepreneur and uses his love of retro to establish a cafe with the 1970s as its theme.”
Joining AC in the regular cast is his sister-in-law, actress Emelda Rosmila who plays Jeffry's sensible relative and business partner Sherry. “She is the real brains behind the business. Jeffry is just the public relations person who entertains diners with his flavourless songs. She keeps the restaurant in order, while he gets himself into trouble by coming up with all sorts of crazy ideas to attract customers.”
Pop Yeah Yeah also stars comedians Shuk Sahar and Ammar Abu Hassan, singer-actor Izzue Islam, actress Oktovia Manrose and actor Sobri Anuar.
“With the exception of Sobri, who plays a rival cafe owner Bromo, the rest of the cast plays assistants or family members of Jeffry and Sherry,” said AC.
To add more “spice” to the sitcom, at least one guest artiste will visit Jeffry's cafe every week.
“To date, Kugiran Masdo, Bell Ngasri, Atiqah Suhaime, Elly Mazlein and Datuk Jeffrydin have said yes. We also hope to have non-actors and VIPs appear as our guest stars later.”
When asked about film and theatre projects, AC said he will soon appear in Abang Long Fadil 3 directed by Syafiq Yusof, Nasi Lemak 1.0 directed by Namewee, Mawas and Zaara. All of them will be screened next year.
“I will again be playing a pair of villainous, identical twins in Abang Long Fadil 3, while I'm following my brother-in-law Adlin Aman Ramlie's footsteps in playing the Sultan of Melaka in Nasi Lemak 1.0. Mawas will see me play the baddie, while Zaara, a comedy thriller, has me as the protagonist,” said AC.
Pop Yeah Yeah is AC's first sitcom on TV3 and it is screened at 9pm every Saturday. The first episode was aired on Aug 3.