This Was Funnier in China: Stand-Up Comedy in China with Jesse Appell

Join Asia Society for an evening of laughter, storytelling, and cultural insights with bilingual comedian and author Jesse Appell, to celebrate the launch of his new book, This Was Funnier in China. As part of his book tour, he brings his new English-language comedy show, This Show Was Funnier in China, to Asia Society. The show blends humor with personal stories from his life as a Chinese comedian’s apprentice, along with selected readings from the book.

His journey began with a Fulbright Fellowship to Beijing, where he apprenticed under Master Ding Guangquan to learn the traditional Chinese comedy art of Xiangsheng (相声) — a traditional Chinese comedic art form known for its witty dialogue, wordplay, and rapid-fire banter between performers. Often compared to Western stand-up or sketch comedy, Xiangsheng has been a cornerstone of Chinese humor for centuries. Over the next decade, Jesse became a key figure in China’s modern comedy scene, appearing on popular TV shows like Huan Le Xiju Ren (欢乐 喜剧人) and creating viral content that has garnered over 500 million views worldwide.

Following the show, stay for an engaging audience Q&A and discussion about comedy, culture, and what it means to find humor across borders.

This Was Funnier in China will be available for sale during the event, with a book signing to follow.