Views on career paths of an Asian American comedian

I first saw William Mar perform at a small night club when I was invited to audition a dozen stand-up comedians for a charity fundraiser. He was the only Asian American comic among a predominantly White crowd. After viewing his act, I decided that he was a rising talent for one basic reason: He is good.

At a glance, Mar looks like a typical Chinese American. He has black hair, stands 5'8" and weighs 135 lbs. His style is genteel, his mannerisms are polite, and at the same time, his material focuses on the Asian American experience. Unlike Asian American comics of the past, Mar does not mire himself in cultural depreciation. Instead, he provides insight into stereotypical views of Asian Americans as well as the commentary of an American of Asian descent staring back at people who are looking at him.

I saw some of that "Top Ramen" stuff at the store. It was oriental flavor .... ORIENTAL FLAVOR.  Tell me, did some Japanese guy stick his arm in the batter?

Mar attributed this high-density-low representation phenomenon, in part, to the recent acceptance of comedy by Asian Americans as a performance art. "Comedy is booming," Mar said, "but it takes time for people to get interested-first as an audience, then as performers."

"I'd say three-quarters of the people who've gotten on stage to perform comedy did so not because they were born with an all-consuming desire to be funny. Instead, they were in a comedy club, saw the comic and thought, 'Hey, I bet I could do that." Mar believes that with the proliferation of comedy clubs across the country, the lure of the stage and stardom will attract people of all races, not just Asian Americans. "To make it in this business," Mar said, "you have to be funny, and that's the bottom line."
 

"I had a tough time getting into college. They kept saying, 'I'm sorry, but you're Asian, and we have so many Asians that we don't consider you a minority anymore.' I told them, 'Hey, you're looking at an Asian who hates math, drives an American-made car, and dates Caucasian women. That's a minority of one."

"What I don't like," Mar continued, "are comics who feel they have to insult, malign and culturally assassinate minority groups in order to get a laugh." Mar said that when he sees these types of comics on stage, he leaves the club. "I do not want to give these comics support, least of all my respect."
 

"My friends tease me. They always ask me: 'William, what is the difference between Asian and Oriental?' First, one's a rug. Second, we don't walk on Asians anymore."

Indeed Mar plays on many of the values and expectations he feels society has attributed to Asian Americans. In the middle of his routine, he questions his choice of careers, and then breaks up laughing.
 

"My friends look at me and say, 'William, you're Asian and you're not an engineer? Boy, that's funny. This is part of your act, right? That's a good joke.' I am an American of Asian descent. When I go to Chinatown, I have to ask the tourists for a good place to eat."

In a recent interview, Mar discussed why he became a comedian. He also described his purpose as a stand-up comic.

Fujioka: There are few Asian American comedians. What made you decide to become a stand-up comedian?

Mar: Comedy is something I always wanted to do. One of my life goals is to be funny. I enjoy making people laugh without selling my soul.

Fujioka: Was there any particular event in your life which promoted this decision to become a stand-up comedian?

Mar: When I was in high school, I used to listen to old tapes of Lenny Bruce, Dick Gregory, and Richard Prior. They made me laugh. At the same time, they made me think. During this introduction to comedy, I took their jokes seriously and considered them an art form.

Fujioka: Why is comedy a particularly useful media to express your view about being an Asian American?

Mar: The ultimate test of ego is to get up in front of strangers, and make them laugh. I feel I have something to say and comedy is a podium upon which to stand. During a comedy show, the audience usually has their guard down, and are more receptive to listen to someone's view. It is at this time when I am confident to hit them with jokes about Asian American stereotypes.

Fujioka: What stereotypes do you attempt to break?

Mar: I want people to know that Asian Americans are here to stay. Generally, our basic needs are the same. We are part of this world like everyone else. I especially dislike the negative stereotypes that we cannot drive, we have funny teeth, we have slanted eyes, and that we speak in short sentences.

Fujioka: Why do you suppose there are few Asian American comedians?

Mar: Social conditioning has a lot to do with it. Comedy is a field Asians have not explored as an alternative. If we go to any university or college around here, how many Asian Americans are in engineering and how many are in theater arts? Perhaps this is due to economic reasons. A comedian does not make a lot of money in comparison to an engineer's salary. Asian Americans are more pragmatic about their career choices, which is ironically, another stereotype.

Fujioka: What types of problems have you faced in trying to be a comedian?

Mar: Comedy is a difficult field. In general, there is a lack of support. Comedy requires an individual to stand up alone. A lot of people do not have the guts to do it. I find that politics (i.e., who you know and don't know) play a strong role in who gets to perform and who does not perform.

Fujioka: What kind of support have you received in pursuing comedy?

Mar: Some of my Ethnic Studies professors at school have been very supportive. In class, they would ask me to perform in order to get more experience in front of an audience. I enjoyed doing this. Family and friends helped a lot too.

Fujioka: What do you foresee the future of Asian American comedians to be?

Mar: The future is going to be tough. Asian Americans need a breakthrough artist. We have guys like Pat Morita of Karate Kid, Jack Sue of "Barney Miller," and Johnny Yune who is a Vietnam veteran. But, these roles are limited because they are Asians who are perceived with Asian characteristics. Morita was the Asian Karate expert. Sue was the Asian detective. Yune played the Asian Vietnam vet. On the contrary, when we look at comedians like George Carlin, he is not perceived as an Irish Catholic guy. Or take Bill Cosby. He is portrayed as a father, as an American struggling to keep up with the changing times. The general perception of Cosby is a positive one. Unlike J. J. Walker of the past, Cosby is not first perceived as a Black, doing Black things. In this light, I think Asians need an Asian American comedian who can joke as an American.

Fujioka: Will you give any advice to any would-be Asian American comedian out there who may read this article?

Mar: Hang in there. Send me your jokes. I pay premium prices!

Mar hopes that with the proliferation of comedy clubs across the nation, the numbers of people of Asian descent talking and joking about their experiences will grow. "It can't get any worse," Mar said, "I remember when I was in a club and they brought me up after the juggler. The emcee introduced me and said, '. . . and now we have another novelty act for you, this guy's Asian.'"