Comedian Joe Klocek of San Francisco comedy fame will be starting a two-month residency in Shanghai this month, courtesy of Kung Fu Komedy. We caught up with him and got the lowdown on how this comic, storyteller, game show host and reality TV persona will be spending his time in the city.
What are you hoping to achieve in your two months in Shanghai?
Most places bring a comedian in for a week or just a night. Being given two months is an extraordinary gift for a comic like me who wants to learn and absorb as much about the place as I can. It’s an exciting time in Shanghai right now. There is such a crush of different cultures, ideas. And some of the most interesting people I have ever met seem to be drawn to the city. I get to live a normal life as someone in the city, and then stand in front of audiences as the outsider telling stories. I can’t wait!
As part of the residency, you’re hosting a stand-up comedy game called Punch. Lines. Could you give us some details about the concept?
I am really proud of this and think the crowds will love it. Essentially it’s a simple memory game, but instead of contestants being asked about movies or history, the questions are about a stand-up who just did a short set. We bring two rounds of three people on stage each. The first person to get 10 questions correct wins the round. We bring on another comic for the ‘speed round’ portion at the end to see who will be the champion of Punch. Lines.
I host it as a sort of sarcastic but curious guy, poking fun and keeping things moving along. The comics who have been on the show when I’ve done it in San Francisco love to see what exactly the audience remembers from their sets, and the audiences love it because it’s a fast moving game show with a lot of laughter. Think of The Dating Game mixed with something from HBO and an American smart-ass holding it all together.
Do you make adjustments to your material to cater to an international audience?
This will be my third time performing in Shanghai. There are lot of subjects that are universal — love and sex being the most popular — but I really enjoy talking to the crowd. The last time I was there we had a bachelor party from Israel, four fashion women from Russia, a handful of Americans and then every sort of person, job and opinion in between. As a comic, you rarely get to interact with such a diverse audience. It makes for one-of-a-kind shows for everyone. Audiences leave knowing that was their show. That’s my goal every time: make each show unique.
You made a name for yourself as one of San Francisco’s most unique comics. How influenced were you by the alt-comedy scene San Francisco is known for, with figures like Mr. Show, Patton Oswald and others?
Wow, that’s a huge question and you have generously included me with Patton. San Francisco has always been that one city where being different really mattered. We police our own when it comes to stuff that might have been done before, and we push each other to come up with the freshest or most honest take on a subject.
I remember watching Patton when he first came to town. Like a lot of comics at the time, his idea was to come there, work on his act and then move on to LA. It worked for him wonderfully. As for the alt scene, I think it is just about storytelling and slowing things down so you can include more of the real story rather than an edited quick punchline. I think it clearly had an influence on me because my style has evolved to include a lot of storytelling, too.
You appeared on Last Comic Standing. How was that experience?
I have just recently auditioned for season nine of Last Comic Standing. Previously, I was only on a single show but I spent three days returning email from people all across America who had seen me. It was my first real lesson in the scope of fame and how important those shows are. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
After Shanghai, what’s next?
I hope to lay the groundwork for a speedy return. I will be in Hong Kong and Singapore next year and I have a feeling the game show is going to be huge! Besides, two months in China should give me at least an hour of stuff to talk about back home.
// Joe Klocek will be performing every Friday and Saturday night from October 10 to November 28 at Kung Fu Komedy at 8.30pm. Tickets are RMB100 in advance, RMB150 at the door.
*********WIN!!!!!*******************
We have a pair of tickets to Punch.Lines to give away. Simply e-mail win@urbanatomy.com with the subject line 'Joe Klocek' by October 16 for your chance to win.
0 User Comments