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.

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:

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:

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:

"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:

Aziz Ansari is the SNL host we really needed this week

Comedian's razor-sharp opening monologue throws down a challenge to Donald Trump.



Over the weekend, comedian Aziz Ansari made his hosting debut on Saturday Night Live, becoming the show's first South Asian American host and only the fourth host of Asian descent in the sketch comedy institution's 42-year seasons. A historic moment of television, for sure, but also a moment perhaps made even more significant with Ansari serving as the first host following the inauguration of Donald Trump.

Because, as he has made quite apparent, Trump has an unreasonably obsessive, contentious relationship with Saturday Night Live. Because you could be absolutely certain that Trump, despite claiming to hate the show, was probably tuning in. And because you know Aziz was gonna bring it. And hell yeah, he did.

While most of the show was fairly standard fare, Ansari devoted his opening monologue to some razor-sharp standup directed at the new president -- "Pretty cool to know he's probably at home right now watching a brown guy make fun of him" -- and his supporters who have become "way too fired up about the Trump thing for the wrong reasons." You know, the racists who aren't pretending anymore and the "lower case kkk."

Best of all, Aziz throws down an important challenge at Trump, and offers a word of encouragement to those of us who are worried about this new regime: "If you look at our country's history, change doesn't come from presidents. Change comes from large groups of angry people. And if day one is any indication, you are part of the largest group of angry people I have ever seen." Amen, Aziz.

Watch:

Comedian Aparna Nancherla performs on 'Conan'

"Immediately turns into a dark one-woman show that no one agreed to attend."



Standup comedian Aparna Nancherla (recently named one of Variety's "Top Ten Comics to Watch for 2016") performed a set on Conan the other night, talking about Netflix, depression and dating, among other things. According to Aparna, models are self-esteem pickpockets -- walk by one, and within seconds, you feel terrible.

Check it out:

"I literally knew I was gay before I knew I was Asian."

Comedian Joel Kim Booster performs standup on 'Conan.'



New York writer and standup comedian Joel Kim Booster performed on Conan the other night and kicked ass. He talked about, among other things, the challenges of growing up as a Korean American adoptee in the Midwest, which Joel explains is "just as racist as the South; it just has none of the personality."

Check it out:

Stand Up for Books: 2nd Annual Comedy Night

A Fundraising Event for Eastwind Books of Berkeley - Friday, June 3 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center



If you're in the Bay Area and up for some laughs for a good cause, Eastwind Books of Berkeley invites you to celebrate its 20th anniversary at Stand Up for Books, a fundraiser showcasing some of the best Asian American comedians from the Bay Area and Los Angeles. There will be food, drinks, raffle tickets and standup comedy featuring Jenny Yang, Dhaya Lakshminarayanan, Andrew Orolfo, and host Irene Tu.

It's happening Friday, June 3 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. Here are some more details:

Ali Wong is pregnant (and funny) as hell in 'Baby Cobra'

New one-hour standup comedy special premieres May 6 on Netflix.



How badass is Ali Wong? The standup comedian, who is on the writing staff of Fresh Off The Boat, has her first one-hour comedy special coming out exclusively on Netflix on May 6. Ali Wong: Baby Cobra was filmed last fall at The Neptune Theater in Seattle... while Ali was seven months pregnant. And looking pretty damn fabulous.

And funny as hell. Here's the trailer.

NYC: Disoriented Comedy, October 10

Featuring D'Lo, Jenny Yang, Jes Tom and Atsuko Okatsuka



New York Cityyyyyy! Get your ass ready for some laughs. Disoriented Comedy, the first-ever (mostly) female Asian American standup comedy tour returns to New York this Saturday, featuring our friends D'Lo, Jenny Yang, Jes Tom and Atsuko Okatsuka. It's happening October 10 at the Dixon Place Theater.

Here are some more details about the show:

Ali Wong is seven months pregnant. And shooting her first 1-hour standup comedy special.

Friday, September 25 at The Neptune Theater in Seattle



Hey, Seattle! Want to see some awesome comedy? Our friend Ali Wong is a standup comic who has performed on The Tonight Show, Comedy Central and Late Night with Seth Meyers, and is currently on the writing staff of ABC's Fresh Off The Boat. She will be shooting her first one-hour comedy special at The Neptune Theater this Friday, September 25. Also, she's seven months pregnant. It's gonna be good!

Cornucopias Are Actually Horrible Containers

Listen to a track from comedian Sheng Wang's debut full-length standup album.



I'm a huge fan of comedian Sheng Wang, who performs smart, observational, self-deprecating comedy, coupled with a dry, laidback delivery and a hint of a Taiwanese-Texas drawl. Coming up from the Bay Area comedy scene, he's appeared on his own half-hour Comedy Central special, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show.

So check it. Sheng, who was a top ten finalist on NBC's Last Comic Standing and recently joined the writing staff of Fresh Off The Boat, is dropping is debut full-length standup album Cornucopias Are Actually Horrible Containers. I mean, they really do. I've heard the album, and it's pee-in-your-pants funny.

Here's a preview of one of my favorite bits from Cornucopias:

The Comedy Comedy Festival: A Comedy Festival

Did I mention this is a comedy festival? August 27-30 in Los Angeles.



Los Angeles! You want some comedy? We've got some comedy. We've got a festival full of comedy. Save the dates for The Comedy Comedy Festival: A Comedy Festival, produced by Disoriented Comedy, Kollaboration, Tuesday Night Project, The Always Summer Project and Angry Asian Man.

Did I mention there will be comedy? Four days of showcases for standup, improv, storytelling, workshops, mixers and more, featuring some of the finest comedic talent you can shake a stick at. It's happening August 27-30 in Little Tokyo, Arts District and Echo Park. You want to get in on this. It's going to be pretty darn fun.

Here's a quick glance at the schedule:

20 Years of Stir-Friday Night

Saturday, June 27 at Stage 773 in Chicago



Chicagooooooo! Stir-Friday Night, the Chicago-based Asian American comedy troupe, is celebrating their 20th anniversary. Established in 1995, the group's notable alumni include the likes of Danny Pudi, Steven Yeun, Mary Sohn Christine Lin and Rasika Mathur. To celebrate two decades of laughs, you're invited to a special one-night-only event celebrating their 20th anniversary. It's happening Saturday, June 27 at Stage 773.

Here are some more details:

Disoriented Comedy Goes South: Texas Tour 2015

May 7-10 in Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio



Get ready for some laughs, Texas. Disoriented Comedy is coming to get you! This week, the first-ever nationally-touring stand-up comedy showcase featuring the fresh and diverse voices of Asian American female-identified comedians is embarking on the "Disoriented Comedy Goes South" Texas Tour. Four cities, five shows, all Texas. It's happening May 7-10, with stops in Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio.

Here are some more details. Follow the links:

8th Annual Laugh For Lives Comedy Show Benefit

Friday, March 20 at Palace of Arts Theatre



What's up, San Francisco. The Asian American Donor Program (AADP) is holding its 8th annual Laugh for Lives Comedy Benefit this Friday, March 20, at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. This year, Jenny Yang, Kevin Shea, Sammy Obeid, and more will be taking the stage. Here's more info: