Excited
On Friday night I was figuring out what I wanted to watch on the DVR and noticed that a “Joe Wong” was going to be a guest on The Late Show with David Letterman. I wound up watching The Late Show live and learning that he’s a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Chinese American comedian making his network television debut – four years in the making.
Joe initially came across as a stereotypical, William Hung-esque geeky Chinese American with an accent, and I wondered if he would be mocked by the audience; the Asian American comedians I’ve seen up until now, such as Vietnamese American Dat Phan, don’t usually have strong accents or come across as FOB’s.
Overall, most of his material was based on his immigrant experience and stereotypical Asian American type jokes, but he did start to win over the audience as he progressed. At the end of his set, I was impressed, given my initial concern of Joe reinforcing a stereotype, when in reality, he’s really breaking a stereotype – I mean, how many Asian Americans do you know who are comedians? Especially those who have accented English?
I really wonder how comedians, especially those starting off or those who are married and have kids, can make a living? I hope Joe can and wish him the best of luck. In doing some quick research on Joe, I came across some a few interesting articles on him in the Boston Globe.
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Joe Wong KILLED on Letterman!
You could tell that Dave really digs him.
BTW, the intro music was "Straight to Hell" by The Clash.
(M.I.A. sampled the riff for her track "Paper Planes".)
The 2nd verse: Ywanna join in a chorus
Of the amerasian blues? ...
A typically droll instrumental wink from Mr. Paul Shaffer.
Rock On, Joe!
Joe Wong KILLED on Letterman!
You could tell that Dave really digs him.
BTW, the intro music was "Straight to Hell" by The Clash.
(M.I.A. sampled the riff for her track "Paper Planes".)
The 2nd verse: Ywanna join in a chorus
Of the amerasian blues? ...
A typically droll instrumental wink from Mr. Paul Shaffer.
Rock On, Joe!
I like how they played 'Paper Planes' as his entrance music, since it's about the fear of immigrants clocking you in the head and taking your money.
I like how they played 'Paper Planes' as his entrance music, since it's about the fear of immigrants clocking you in the head and taking your money.
agree w/ tristan.
dat phan might be funny for the first minute. beyond that, ugh.
agree w/ tristan.
dat phan might be funny for the first minute. beyond that, ugh.
Wow, his set is so much better when you can see his facial expressions and his delivery. Thanks for sharing the better version, Phil!
Wow, his set is so much better when you can see his facial expressions and his delivery. Thanks for sharing the better version, Phil!
Thanks Phil! This is the clip we're using now. OK, so I'm actually pleasantly surprised at how funny he is, especially the joke about the Benjamins.
Thanks Phil! This is the clip we're using now. OK, so I'm actually pleasantly surprised at how funny he is, especially the joke about the Benjamins.
Here's a better video for your viewing pleasure:
Here's a better video for your viewing pleasure:
Make no mistake: Dat Phan definitely reinforces stereotypes.
At first I was so proud that a Viet was becoming semi-successful in the stand-up business. Now I realize that he just peddles tired race jokes.
Make no mistake: Dat Phan definitely reinforces stereotypes.
At first I was so proud that a Viet was becoming semi-successful in the stand-up business. Now I realize that he just peddles tired race jokes.
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[...] previously blogged about Joe Wong ’s nationally televised debut on The Late Show with David Letterman. Earlier this week, I got a chance to see him perform live in San Francisco, and he was HILARIOUS, [...]
[...] by day and comedian by night, Boston-based Joe Wong made his second appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman the other night, and to no surprise, was not as nervous as the first time around. Joe had a lot of [...]