They Call Us Ronny Chieng

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.

What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome comedian Ronny Chieng to discuss his latest Netflix special Love to Hate It. He talks about his efforts to harvest his wife's eggs (with no medical training whatsoever), the frustrating susceptibility of baby boomers to internet scams, his near-decade-long tenure as a correspondent on The Daily Show, and why the only career move he's concerned with is crafting the next joke. Plus: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of making Love to Hate It.

Korean Restaurant Gets Hit with Racist Graffiti

And Other Things to Know From Angry Asian America



Racist Graffiti Scrawled on Michelin-Starred West Village Korean Restaurant
Last week in New York, racist graffiti was found scrawled on the window of a West Village Korean restaurant. Somebody wrote "Stop eating dogs" in black marker on the outside glass at Jeju Noodle Bar, which has been closed since March 16. Chef and owner Douglas Kim is calling it a hate crime. You're damn right it is.

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Vietnamese Nail Salons Donate Thousands of Masks, Gloves to Hospitals
"Fighting this virus is a responsibility for every one of us. We don't work in the medical field, so we cannot fight the virus directly but we want to share our responsibility and share what we have with the community."

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Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits
Hell yes! This one's for the serious Bruce fans. Criterion Collection has announced a comprehensive Blu-ray box set collection that define Bruce Lee's monumental legacy. Available July 14, Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits includes The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, The Way of the Dragon, Enter the Dragon and Game of Death, and a seven-disc truckload of special edition features.

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Jeff Chan to Direct New Line's Asian-Centered Rom-Com 'Singles Day'
Jeff Chan will direct New Line's romantic comedy Singles Day, with his filmmaker partner Andrew Rhymer producing. Lillian Yu's spec script centers on the Chinese anti-Valentine's Day holiday that takes place on November 11. The interconnected ensemble of romantic partners, friends and family will be predominantly of Asian descent.

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Jimmy O. Yang: Good Deal
Comedian Jimmy O. Yang's new one-hour standup special Good Deal will premiere on May 8, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Performed live at the Neptune Theater in Seattle, Good Deal covers Jimmy's hilarious interactions with immigrant parents, his thoughts on Matt Damon, and whether ghosts will haunt one-bedroom apartments.

Ronny Chieng Will Destroy America

Standup special 'Asian Comedian Destroys America' premieres December 17 on Netflix.



Your destruction is imminent, America. And your doom comes at the hands of Ronny Chieng. The Daily Show correspondent and Crazy Rich Asians star -- and self-described "standup's most ruthless comedian" -- drops his new Netflix special Asian Comedian Destroys America later this month. Here's the trailer, which promises a "comedy event that will decimate American society." I, for one, welcome said destruction.

Atsuko's Birthday Album Recording

Sunday, May 26 at Dynasty Typewriter



If you're in Los Angeles and looking for something laughs, we have just the thing for you.

Our friend, acclaimed comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, is celebrating her birthday and recording her new comedy album, and needs some bodies in the audience. The evening will feature Daniel Franzese and Baron Vaughn, and proceeds will go to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Best of all, her grandma will be serving up dumplings before the show. I mean, how can you say no to that? You can't.

It's happening this Sunday, May 26 at Dynasty Typewriter. For more info, and to purchase tickets, go here.

Ali Wong's tribute to gymnast Katelyn Ohashi is a perfect 10

'Baby Cobra' comedian's living room floor routine is significantly less gravity-defying.



You may have seen the video of UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi's spectacular floor routine, which basically broke the internet. The gravity-defying performance earned her a perfect 10 and a legion of new fans.

Among Katelyn's new supporters: Ali Wong. The Baby Cobra comedian (and fellow UCLA Bruin) posted a video of herself performing a "tribute" to Ohashi's routine in what looks like her own living room, complete with a bored-looking spouse on the couch and baby gates in the background.

Let's just say that Ali's routine is significantly less gravity-defying.

The Comedy Comedy Festival: A Comedy Festival

October 12-14 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center



Hey, comedy fans! If you are in Los Angeles, and looking for some laughs this weekend, look no further than The Comedy Comedy Festival: A Comedy Festival. Co-produced by Disoriented Comedy and JACCC, in partnership with Asian AF, the 2018 edition of this epic 3-day event brings together the best of young, Asian American comedic talent from Hollywood, digital media, and live performance.

"America is not ready for us! We have hilarious and exciting voices," says writer, comedian, and Festival co-organizer Jenny Yang. "No one is waiting for Hollywood to catch up anymore. We have been building our community, strengthening our craft and creating our own platforms. This comedy festival is not just a festival. It's a movement."

This year's festival performers include Manila Luzon (VH1's RuPaul's Drag Race), Jenny Yang (E!'s Busy Tonight), Jake Choi (ABC's Single Parents), Sherry Cola (TNT's Claws), Aparna Nancherla (Comedy Central's Corporate, Late Night with Seth Meyers), Lilan Bowden (Disney's Andi Mack), singer-songwriter Megan Lee, and more. Events include stand up, sketch and improvised comedy, storytelling, and musical comedy.

It's happening October 12-14 at the Aratani Theatre and Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. Here's a rundown of Comedy Comedy Festival highlights:

Awkwafina is hosting 'Saturday Night Live'

'Crazy Rich Asians' and 'Ocean's 8' star will be the first Asian American woman to host in 18 years.



Rapper/actress Awakwafina, recently seen stealing scene after scene as Peik Lin Goh in the box office smash Crazy Rich Asians, will host the upcoming October 6 episode of Saturday Night Live.

By our rough count, that makes Awkwafina -- aka Queens-bred Nora Lum -- one of only a handful of Asian American hosts in the perennial NBC sketch show's 43-plus-season, 851-episode history. In fact, it's been eighteen years since an Asian American woman hosted SNL: Lucy Liu appeared on December 16, 2000.

Saturday Night Live officially announced the lineup Thursday on Twitter, sharing a photo of Post-It notes listing the first three hosts and musical acts of the upcoming 44th season.

You will never be this good at anything

Because when it comes to lip-sync re-enactment Twitter videos, Bowen Yang is the best there is.



Bowen Yang is a lip sync master. Over the last few months, the New York-based comedian, writer and podcast host has been posting videos of himself on Twitter performing lip sync re-enactments of iconic moments from movies and TV shows. It's kind of mesmerizing. You can't look away. And of course, the videos have gone viral.

You only wish you were this good. At anything. From Erin Brockovich to The Devil Wears Prada, respect the intensity, dedication and artistry of Bowen Yang.

when u gay pic.twitter.com/3q5yJHxIGP

— Bowen Yang (@bowenyang) May 5, 2018

when u Erin Brockovich. pic.twitter.com/GfWJL02h3D

— Bowen Yang (@bowenyang) May 9, 2018

when u Alexis Neiers. pic.twitter.com/NYdjcXJtI8

— Bowen Yang (@bowenyang) May 25, 2018

when u Sandra Oh. @IamSandraOh @shondarhimes pic.twitter.com/nIXK2SZ8K1

— Bowen Yang (@bowenyang) July 13, 2018

Last few seconds: pic.twitter.com/bqf9huXe2D

— Bowen Yang (@bowenyang) July 13, 2018

when u Miranda Priestly. pic.twitter.com/IvQ75lVesJ

— Bowen Yang (@bowenyang) August 23, 2018

Bowen is coming for you, Meryl.

Asian AF Presents: The Stars of Crazy Rich Asians

Monday, August 6 at UCB Inner Sanctum Cafe & Stage in Los Angeles.



Comedy fans in Los Angeles, you do not want to miss this one. In celebration of the upcoming theatrical release of Crazy Rich Asians, our friends at Asian AF have put together the Crazy Rich Asians Comedy Show, featuring standup from the stars of the Warner Bros. romantic comedy. The lineup includes Ken Jeong, Ronny Chieng, Nico Santos and Jimmy O. Yang, who are all part of the movie's cast.

This is going to be a blast. It's happening Monday, August 6 at the UCB Inner Sanctum Cafe & Stage in Los Angeles. Admission is free! But seating is first come, first served. So get there, and there early!

[UPDATE: Response to the show has apparently been pretty crazy, so in order to ensure a safe and orderly evening, they're instituting a RSVP list. Reserve yourself here.]

[UPDATE:] Okay, the show sold out in like five minutes.

Here are some more details about the show:

Drunk Randall Park tells the Drunk History of Frank Emi

Starring Aaron Takahashi as Frank Emi.



The premise of Drunk History is fairly simple. People go on camera and narrate the story of a noteworthy historical figure or moment... while drunk. Then they present a re-enactment of this alcohol-fueled account.

On the latest episode of the hit Comedy Central series, Fresh Off The Boat star Randall Park gets liquored up and tells the story of civil rights activist Frank Emi, played here by Aaron Takahashi. Incarcerated at Heart Mountain during World War II, Emi protested against the drafting of Japanese Americans into military service.

An important part of the story of Japanese American incarceration, told under the influence, burps and all.

The 'Crazy Rich Asians' parodies have begun

"They're just the brokest family in all of San Gabriel Valley."



Well, it was pretty much inevitable. The Crazy Rich Asians parodies have already begun.

I mean, somebody had to do it. First of all, if you haven't seen the hilarious, highly relatable first episode of Will Choi's webseries Crazy Poor Asians, check it out. It's well worth the 40 seconds of your time.

Similarly but differently, check out this video by improv troupe Miss Golightly, also entitled Crazy Poor Asians -- a beat-for-beat parody of the Crazy Rich Asians trailer. It's silly as hell. I don't know why the shot of "Rachel" holding a jar of nuts makes me laugh so much. And Kim Cooper does a pretty mean Awkwafina.

Just watch:

CAAMFest Presents Disoriented Comedy

Saturday, May 12 at New People Cinema



San Franciscooooooo. Are you ready for some laughs? The funny folks of Disoriented Comedy -- "the first-ever (mostly) female Asian American standup comedy tour" -- has joined forces with CAAMFest. Join our pals Jenny Yang, D'Lo, and Atsuko Okatsuka for an evening of kickass comedy. It's happening Saturday, May 12 at New People Cinema in Japantown.

Here are some more details about the show:

Ken Jeong jumps off stage to help woman suffering seizure

Jeong, a licensed physician, was in the middle of a standup set.



He took an oath, after all. Actor and comedian Ken Jeong was performing standup Saturday night when he stopped his set and jumped off stage to assist a woman in the audience who has having a seizure.

Ken Jeong jumps from stage to give medical aid to audience member

At first, he thought it was a heckler. Jeong was performing at the Stand Up Live Comedy Club in Phoenix when a disturbance from a woman in the third row interrupted his set. When the lights came on, it became clear that it was actually a medical emergency -- the woman was having an apparent seizure.

As it happened, there was a doctor in the house. On stage, actually.

Asian AF Presents Filipino AF: Special Holiday Edition!

Friday, December 8 at Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles



Los Angeles! Down for some laughs? Come see all the funny Filipino Americans next Friday at the Upright Citizens Brigade in Hollywood. The wildly successful Filipino AF show, presented by Asian AF, returns to UCB for a Special Holiday Edition. The evening will include sketch, standup, musical comedy, improv and more, hosted by Joy Regullano, Erich Tamola and Allyn Pintal. And let me tell you, it's going to be Filipino as hell.

It's happening Friday, December 8 at the UCB's Inner Sanctum Cafe. Here are some more details:

Asian AF: An Asian American Variety Show

One-Year Anniversary Show - Friday, November 24 at UCB Sunset



Hey, Los Angeles! Looking for some good laughs? After stuffing your faces with turkey (and a side of kimchi), cure your post-Thanksgiving blues with Asian AF, the wildly popular monthly Asian American variety show at Upright Citizens Brigade. This month, celebrate Asian AF's one-year anniversary with a lineup that includes standup by Peter Kim, a special screening of Cartoon Network's We Bare Bears and improv by Voltron.

It's happening, Friday, November 24 at UCB Sunset. Here are some more details:

Wake, Play, Slay: Asian American Women in Comedy

Panel Discussion on Wednesday, November 1 at NBCUniversal



If you're in Southern California, Comcast NBCUniversal and the Center for Asian American Media invite you to Wake, Play, Slay: Asian American Women in Comedy, a panel discussion highlighting female voices in comedy that are using laughter to tackle difficult and timely issues. The lineup includes Jenny Yang, Colleen McGuinness, Geeta Patel, Tess Paras and moderator Traci Lee.

It's happening Wednesday, November 1 at NBCUniversal. Here are some more details:

"Here's my problem with most racism: it's the inaccuracy."

Watch Kumail Nanjiani's opening monologue from 'Saturday Night Live.'



Hey, racists! Kumail Nanjiani would take you a little more seriously if you could just get it right.

Over the weekend, the Pakistani American comedian, fresh off the summer success of his indie romantic comedy The Big Sick, performed hosting duties on Saturday Night Live. During the opening monologue, he delivered a hilarious, timely standup set, taking on racism and... more racism.

Among other things, he pointed out the very real fact that Sikhs are often targeted with Islamophobic violence, mistaken for Muslims. This is a challenging thing to joke about, but Kumail just slays it. He also clarifies what bothers him most about racism: the inaccuracy. Racists, you're just not coming at this with correct information -- and it's not working out for you.

"I'm like, do the research," Kumail says. "Put in the work. You will see the benefits!"

Check it out:

The Comedy Comedy Festival: A Comedy Festival 2017

Family Reunion Storytelling: All Stars (September 21) & Disoriented AF (September 23)



If you're in Los Angeles and looking for some laughs, do not miss the The Comedy Comedy Festival: A Comedy Festival 2017. Scaled back from previous years, this mini-festival features two fun shows: a special "All-Star" edition of Disoriented Comedy's storytelling show Family Reunion and the variety comedy show Disoriented AF, with standup, improv, sketch and special guest storyteller Kelly Marie Tran.

It's going to be fun! Family Reunion is going down on Thursday, September 21 at the Lyric Hyperion Theatre & Cafe, while you can catch Disoriented AF on Saturday, September 23 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo. Here are some more details:

Asian AF: An Asian American Variety Show

Friday, July 28 at UCB Sunset



Los Angeles! Get ready for some laughs! The hit monthly variety show Asian AF returns with another showcase of comedic Asian American talent at the famed Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. This month's lineup is still being finalized, but you can count a fun night of improv, sketch, standup and even some music.

It's happening Friday, July 28 at UCB Sunset. Here are some more details:

Scarlett Johansson Presents: Opening Night of Ghost In The Shell

Friday, March 31 at UCB Sunset's Inner Sanctum Cafe



It's going down! If you're in Los Angeles, and you want to see some super-fun Asian American comedy, come on out this Friday to Scarlett Johansson Presents: Opening Night of Ghost in the Shell, the much-anticipated final show in the wildly successful "Scarlett Johansson Presents..." series at Upright Citizens Brigade. The evening, hosted by Will Choi and Keiko Agena, promises standup, sketch, improv and a very special one-time-only presentation of "Ghost in the Shell: The Musical"! You do not want to miss this.

It's happening March 31 at UCB Sunset's Inner Sanctum Cafe. Here are some more details: