Joe Wong: a biochemist turned standup comedian

China Plus Published: 2018-12-14 11:14:05
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Since there isn't equal opportunity in the laboratory, why not shift to the world of comedy, where those who tell great jokes can receive crowns and laurels. The idea spread through him like virus. Once "infected," he started to invest time and energy in practicing, imitating, attending classes, writing jokes and going through one audition to another, but at the same time maintaining his job as a scientist to support his family. He led this double life until in 2009 and after many auditions, he was eventually allowed to perform on the Letterman Show on TV, one of the most acclaimed high thresholds for all comedians. The following year, he was invited by the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association Dinner. These two events played a critical role in his decision to transform and switch because by then he was able to make a living out of cracking jokes and most importantly, he felt it rewarding to be able to break the bamboo ceiling by telling one joke after another, bit by bit. He was dealing with the problem all Asian Americans were facing: the so-called puzzling lack of leadership representation. To a certain degree, Joe Wong succeeded in representing Asian people. At the very least, if you google his name on the Internet, this Asian or Chinese American comedian won't disappoint you with some of his classic jokes.

Joe Wong: a biochemist turned standup comedian

Standup comedian Joe Wong [Photo: provided to China Plus]

Joe Wong got established in the US, but now he is back in China, fighting hard for HIS share of limited audiences among local cross talk professional comedians and even expatriates who, like he did in the US, have ventured to step into the Chinese comedian world to make a living or seek success. Joe Wong admitted doing comedy in China is hard. This is perhaps why he would not miss any opportunity to promote himself, including agreeing to come to my show again. Indeed, his public image is everywhere: on screens, in posters, in front of mics, and he even tried social media livestreaming at home. Joe Wong now does standup comedy in both English and Chinese. He has to cater to the needs of different audiences with very different content and styles. I asked him why people couldn't just stick to their own languages, stay in their own countries to crack jokes to their own people who have shared knowledge to understand them better. Why bother to take on all the trouble in reverse? Joe answered in a rather unimposing but very affirming tone: "Because comedians are best cultural ambassadors."

Joe Wong: a biochemist turned standup comedian

Standup comedian Joe Wong takes an interview from China Plus on Dec. 6, 2018. [Photo: provided to China Plus]

Yes, I am convinced. When people laugh, the likelihood of going to a fight or a war will be reduced to miniscule proportions. If people share humor, they possibly already share many other cultural, ideological and common elements in life.

At the end of this article, I couldn't help dedicating three lines from Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken" to him:

...

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Joe, thank you for taking the less travelled road. You have the courage to take that leap and because of this you've won my respect and my blessings. Since we've added each other on WeChat, I'll be able to follow you closely in the future. With grit and genuine confidence, I know you will continue to bring more laughter to people, continue to survive, thrive, and reach inconceivable heights. Don't give up and Godspeed!

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