# Asian stand-up comedy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 20, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-stand-up-comedy/780279 "2017-02-20T00:20:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-stand-up-comedy/780279/1 "2017-02-20T00:20:23Z")
Tried to google this but only came up with Asians raised on (or moved to) North American soil and performing _only_ here. I saw one or two posters here from China and I’m hoping they see this, or of course anyone else who can tolchok my ignorance on stand-up comedy _over there_. I’m crudely guessing there are Philippine variety shows that might occasionally have some Rupert Pupkin-y type taking a stab at it, but I’m curious about any other Pacific Rim countries that might work this kinda thing in, whether televised or in clubs. ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-stand-up-comedy/780279/2 "2017-02-20T03:04:53Z")
Japan has had traditional and modern versions of stand-up type comedy called [manzai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzai) which usually involves two performers. > [@](#): > > \*\*From Wikipedia: \*\*Manzai usually involves two performers (manzaishi)—a straight man (tsukkomi) and a funny man (boke)—trading jokes at great speed. Most of the jokes revolve around mutual misunderstandings, double-talk, puns and other verbal gags. For American/UK style of standup comedy, there are a couple of [comedy venues](https://tokyocomedy.com/) around. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-stand-up-comedy/780279/3 "2017-02-20T05:04:26Z")
> [@JpnDude](#): > > Japan has had traditional and modern versions of stand-up type comedy called [manzai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzai) which usually involves two performers. > For American/UK style of standup comedy, there are a couple of [comedy venues](https://tokyocomedy.com/) around. Interesting, thanks. Looked further into Manzai, and found this: > **[Manzai is a popular Japanese comedy style involving two performers on...](https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/video/manzai-is-a-popular-japanese-comedy-style-involving-two-news-footage/459736644)** > > Manzai is a popular Japanese comedy style involving two performers on stage exchanging rapid fire dialogues While I wasn’t busting a gut, I did like their Rowan Atkinson-y approach. Cool the first time I’ve ever seen American flag ties, they were worn by folks who don’t know a whiff of English. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-stand-up-comedy/780279/4 "2017-02-20T05:33:12Z")
> [@JpnDude](#): > > Japan has had traditional and modern versions of stand-up type comedy called [manzai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzai) which usually involves two performers. China has very similar comedy routines too, known as _[xiangsheng](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosstalk_(comedy))_. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-stand-up-comedy/780279/5 "2017-02-20T05:38:42Z")
Typical comedic fare in the Philippines ranges to the slapstick or vaudeville style. But check out [Comedy Manila](http://comedymanila.com/) which stages classic stand-up comedy - just a guy or girl with a mike on stage. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-stand-up-comedy/780279/6 "2017-02-20T15:36:02Z")
Ok, had some issues with not getting my diabetes meds for a couple of days, I have a headache and my eyes are a bit wobbly. Scanning down the thread titles I read that as; **[Aslan](http://www3.telus.net/st_simons/Aslan1.jpg)** stand-up comedy. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2017, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-stand-up-comedy/780279/7 "2017-02-21T01:02:55Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Scanning down the thread titles I read that as; > > **[Aslan](http://www3.telus.net/st_simons/Aslan1.jpg)** stand-up comedy. I’m sure he’d have me roaring with laughter. /no pride