By Amy Lieu
Hey AsAmNews readers, I’m a journalist who launched my talk show, #AmyLieuPresents earlier this year! It’s focused on telling the stories of Asian Americans and women, while inspiring and empowering these communities. I feel very passionate about this, as mainstream media often times misrepresents or underrepresents these minority groups.
My first interview was with the comedian Jenny Yang, one of LA Weekly’s People of 2015.
A few years ago, Yang felt unfulfilled by her previous career in politics. That’s when she decided to try something new. She shares her journey and transition to doing comedy in an honest sit-down conversation with me.
Yang talks about her first-ever performance at Tuesday Night Café, and the first Disoriented Comedy performance at the David Henry Hwang Theatre in L.A. It was shortly after the mostly female Asian American comedy troupe’s show that her mom made her cry—out of joy. She was touched by the support from a woman she cares deeply about.
Yang tells us some of the dos and don’ts of comedy, what it takes to be a part of Disoriented Comedy, and what kinds of comedians she looks for. Last year was the very first Comedy Comedy Festival (No, that’s not a typo. It’s really called the Comedy Comedy Festival). She explains how it showcases diversity in comedy—both with veterans and up-and-comers.
Regarding work from her early-comedian days, one of Jenny Yang’s most popular jokes, “Asian Goggles,” was born out of a racist, but humorous, incident that she experienced. She also talks about her Tapioca rap song dedicated to the delectable boba milk tea.
She almost barfed having the sex talk with her mom on the BuzzFeed video, “Asian Parents Give Sex Advice to Their Daughters.” What’s Jenny’s advice for sex?
Finally, we play a game called “Disoriented 1-10,” in which I read off a list of things that could possibly get her disoriented. Find out what they are!
Jenny Yang’s transition to comedy: what do her parents think?
(Part 1 Interview)
https://youtu.be/do9hgzob9bY
Jenny Yang’s first performances & why her mom made her cry
(Part 2 Interview)
https://youtu.be/k9gwEQu33b0
What it takes to join #DisorientedComedy: Jenny Yang talks advice & #ComedyComedyFest! (Part 3 Interview)
https://youtu.be/lwIc70I-Ew0
Jenny Yang on Asian Goggles joke and the Tapioca rap song
(Part 4 Interview)
https://youtu.be/7JSNE6FEZDQ
Jenny Yang talks safe sex & how she almost barfed talking about sex with her mom on BuzzFeed (Part 5 Interview)
https://youtu.be/my7fP_jvZck
What gets Jenny Yang disoriented? We play “Disoriented 1-10!” [GAME]
https://youtu.be/XvLXE6itJd8
You can watch more of my show on my channel: youtube.com/amylieumedia, and find out more information on my website: www.amylieu.com.
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