This unique and heartfelt memoir captures the comedic, absurd, and reflective experiences of an American seeking humor in China, first learning how humor is translated—and whether laughter crosses borders. On stage, wearing a long robe next to my Shifu, under the curious gazes of thousands of Chinese comedy fans, I was ready with a microphone, aiming to impress or fail. The host announced over the speakers: “Welcome to the stage: Teacher Ding Guangquan and his American student, Ai Jie Xi!”
When Jesse Appell, self-proclaimed humorist of America, enrolled in a Mandarin language program in high school, he never imagined that one day his name would be part of the traditional family tree of Chinese comedy. When he moved to Beijing to learn from the legendary Teacher Ding, a single performance was enough for Jesse and the other comedians to realize that theoretical knowledge often leads to failed jokes. To succeed in making people laugh, you have to learn everything—how long the fuse of a thirty-cent firework lasts, what games miners play during Chinese New Year, and why comedy writers in Shanghai sometimes sleep in beds made of hearts.
The result? Questions that may seem simple—if not asked by an American caught in the whirlwind of a developing China. “What’s funny to the people here?” “How do you deal with hecklers?” And of course, the biggest question of all: “Can I say that?” From his early attempts on traditional tea house stages, to becoming the only American cast member and writer in a Chinese version of Saturday Night Live, This Was Funnier in China captures the enthusiastic experiences of an American trying to build a world where we can all laugh together.
