Joe Wong is a Chinese immigrant who started his career as a chemical engineer before transforming into a comedian. He gained popularity in the United States for his stand-up comedy, which often touches on his experiences as an immigrant and his observations of American culture.
Wong has made appearances on several TV shows, including “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and he was the headliner for the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Association dinner in 2010. Currently, Wong is captivating audiences in Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto with his comedy special “This Asian Hates Asian Hate,” alongside another tour titled “Out of Place Chinese (水土不服).”
How comedy links to anti-Asian hate
Wong believes in the importance of his work in bringing attention to Asian American issues, history, and experiences. He notes the scarcity of stand-up comedy shows, TV shows, or movies that delve into Asian American history and the value of contributing to this underrepresented narrative. Wong shared, “I’ve been developing ‘This Asian Hates Asian Hate’ for the past couple of years. It’s a comedy hour special that touches on issues very close to my heart.”
Despite the relevance of his work, Wong revealed the challenges he faced in getting his special recognized by streaming platforms. “By the time I got the special ready and taped, the platforms I approached felt the topic wasn’t ‘on the news anymore,’” Wong explained, highlighting the transient nature of media attention to social issues.
That said, the comedian’s resolve remains strong despite these setbacks. “It’s something worth doing, even though the online platform may not accept it right now,” Wong stated, emphasizing the importance of Asian American representation in media.
Wong’s comedy has received varied responses across the U.S., with cities like New York and Boston showing greater acceptance. However, he was pleasantly surprised by…
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