Exclusive: Joe Wong hopes to make more people laugh in China

Chinese-American stand-up comedian Joe Wong speaks in an exclusive interview with China News Service on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. (Photo/Zhang Longyun)

(ECNS) -- Joe Wong, a Chinese-American stand-up comedian who first became famous in the US, said he is happy to see talk shows gaining popularity in China.

In an exclusive interview with China News Service on Tuesday, Wong said he is planning to focus more of his work on the Chinese mainland.

"China's talk show business is in its infancy, so there are more opportunities. I hope to expand talk shows' outreach to a larger audience," Wong said with enthusiasm.

"Another thing I have to mention is that China's television industry is more effective in terms of production, and you know, I like television talk shows.

"Besides, as I'm in China, my child can learn more about Chinese culture," he added.

In recent years, Wong has gained many Chinese fans. Those fans know his story well: Wong went to the US in 1994 at 24, and earned a PhD in biochemistry at Rice University, but then he gave up a promising career in science to pursue a risky venture – comedy.

Since 2009, Wong's comedy has landed him spots on afternoon and late-night talk shows in the US, including the Late Show with David Letterman, among others. He has also appeared at events such as the American Music Awards and the 66th Annual Radio and Television Correspondents Dinner.

Currently Wong is hosting a TV show on CCTV-2, Is It True, and he is working on opening a comedy club next month in Beijing.

"In April, I may open a talk show club in east Beijing. I hope to gather people who have interest in comedy, and it doesn't matter whether it's a talk show or Chinese crosstalk or other form of comedy," Wong said.

"Chinese talk shows are different from English talk shows. Jokes that do well in the US may not necessarily work in China. We need a venue to share our views on Chinese comedy."

In addition to Wong, there are others in China who are promoting talk shows. Zhou Libo, for example, a stand-up comedian and founder of the Shanghai-style Talk Show, is loved by many people here.

"If possible, I'd like to cooperate with people like Zhou Libo. The Chinese talk show is worth our efforts," Wong said.