Ph.D. Funnyman: Joe Wong to Perform Standup In Gulou, Feb 27

He has tickled the ribs of superstars like Ellen DeGeneres, David Letterman, and even American Vice President Joe Biden. Now, on February 27, Joe Wong is set to leave Beijingers in stitches as well.

The performance, which will be held at Cheers' Gulou store, is a must see for standup fans. The Wall Street Journal has touted the comedian's success "on both sides of the Pacific" before calling him a "rare breed." Indeed, Wong is developing an impressive following in his homeland as the host of the hit CCTV2 show Is It True, a Myth Busters-style series netting six million viewers per episode. But his big breakthrough occurred Stateside in 2010, when he performed standup at the Radio and Television Correspondents dinner, joking that Vice President Joe Biden was more impressive in his autobiography than in person. Before roasting the Veep, he had successful appearances on David Letterman's Late Show and Ellen DeGeneres' smash hit eponymous morning show.

Wong began moonlighting as a standup comedian in 2001 at Boston's All Asia Bar. His parents, back in China's northeastern Jilin province, didn't learn about his comedic aspirations until 10 years later, hearing about it via state radio in their kitchen while readying dinner. Wong kept his standup a secret from them because his father had always been so strict about him maintaining good grades and pursuing a top-notch career in the sciences. At the behest of his father, Wong earned a Ph.D. at Texas' Rice University after graduating from Jilin University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. When an interviewer asked him how he would explain to a tiger mom about forsaking such a prestigious career for standup, Wong joked that the best way to break the news would be: “Ma, did you know that getting a Ph.D. is the best way to become a comedian, the best job in the world?” We'll laugh to that.

Joe Wong will perform at Cheers Wine Bar on 245 Gulou Dong Dajie on Saturday February 27. Doors open 7.30pm, and the show starts at 8pm. Tickets are RMB 150. Email nigel@comedyclubchina.com for reservations. For more information, click here.

Photo: nbcnews.com