By Joseph Pimentel
NOVEMBER 16, 2007
Asianjournal.com
A FilAm on ‘Comedy Central’
AFTER a hilarious panel performance, Epps, and rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. He has
FilAm comedian Jo Koy gives his audience yet also performed overseas for American Troops
another jocular reason to smile. in Japan, Korea and Okinawa in the USO tour.
On November 6, during the taping of E! Koy’s career began to flourish when he
Cable Television Network Chelsea Lately, Koy moved to Los Angeles. He became a regular
announced that he is set to have a his own at the world famous Laugh Factory. The birth
show on cable TV. Chelsea Lately is one of of his son motivated him even more to make
E!’s top-rated shows and is hosted by female it in the tough business and gave him comic
comedian, Chelsea Handler. relief as well.
“I’m coming out with a new comedy series “It’s one thing to be a struggling artist but
that will be shown on Comedy Central,” said another when your kid is starving,” he said.
Koy to the audience as he left the set to the Laugh Factory Owner Jamie Masada told this
green room. reporter two years ago that “Jo Koy is going to
Comedy Central signed Koy to a one-year, make it in this industry. He has everything. He
one-season deal last August. He is being comedic routine normally includes jokes is a mixture of Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and
represented by one of the most illustrious about growing up Filipino. Jim Carrey.”
talent group in Hollywood Creative Artist He would joke about how his mom would Last year, he received his biggest break
Agency (CAA). point things with her lips or pick things up when he performed on the Tonight Show with
Koy said that the format of his show is with her feet. Jay Leno. Koy sported a jacket with a small
going to be similar to Carlos Mencia’s “Mind of A crowd favorite, Jo Koy also impersonates Philippine flag above his heart. He was the
Mencia,” but with a Filipino flavor. the way his mother mispronounces her P’s and first Filipino to be on the show.
“It’s going to be a variety show focusing on F’s. “They don’t allow logos of any kind but I felt
different topics like growing up Filipino and “My mom would always ask me, ‘Josef, are it was important to represent being Filipino,”
Asian and just growing up in general,” he said you going to the Laugh Pactory.’ Are you going he said.
in an interview with the Asian Journal. to be punny?” His performance garnered him a standing
“I want this to be about us,” he added. Koy credits his mother for his comedic and ovation. He is only one of three comedians
Koy also recently filmed a 30-minute acting talents. At an early age, he and his in the history of the show ever to receive a
performance on Comedy Central’s Premium sister Rowena (a Las Vegas singer) were always standing ovation.
Blend program. encouraged by their mother to participate Following that momentum, he performed
Koy permitted the Asian Journal to in school talent shows and impromptu for the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show before touring
accompany him during the taping of his panel performances in front of family and friends. the nation with Carlos Mencia’s Punisher Tour.
appearance on Chelsea Lately. “My mom used to force us (my sister and I) Earlier this year, the Entertainment Trade
Koy was part of a panel which included Dr. to these school talent shows,” he reminisced. Publication Daily Variety mentioned Koy as
Drew Pinsky from Loveline and Star Magazine “She would get all into it. My sister and I did one of the “10 comics to watch” of 2007.
Editor Bonnie Fuller. They talked about a Michael Jackson performance and my mom Comedy Central saw his enormous
different topics including magician David made the rhinestone gloves just like Michael popularity and pounced on Koy when the
Copperfield’s recent legal woes, Sarah Jessica Jackson.” opportunity arose.
Parker voted as the un-sexiest woman alive From open mic… “It took me 12 years to make it,” admits Koy.
and other things going on in pop culture. Koy started his career as a comedian after “It took eight/ nine years just to get an agent. I
During the taping, the audience laughed high school doing open mics in a Seattle deserve this because I worked hard.”
their loudest when Koy made fun of the coffeehouse. Not bad for someone that never received
issues. “I remember having to perform while any formal acting or comedic training.
“Chelsea is great,” he said after the show. the workers would grind coffee,” he said. “I Writers strike impact
“She’s awesome. She was just really quick bombed. I wasn’t any good.” After Koy signed the deal with Comedy
[and] on-point. I’m just happy that I sat right However, it wasn’t until his family moved Central last August, the Writers Guild of
next to her.” to Las Vegas, Nevada where he seriously America went on strike and had a slight effect
“My favorite jokes of the night were [about] considered a career in comedy. In 1996, he on the production of his show.
Star Jones. I thought that was funny,” he started making a name for himself at comedy For the past few months, the show has been
added. “And Sarah Jessica Parker when I said ‘if clubs in and around Las Vegas. He finally got in pre-production.
she had a brother that they would look exactly a break when he tried his luck at the Catch a “It doesn’t affect me so far,” he said. “Since
the same.” Rising Star comedy club at the MGM Grand my show is new, it’s non-WGA but eventually,
“Overall, I gave my performance an eight or Hotel & Casino. we are going to look for writers that are WGA
a nine. It was fun.” He said a talent coordinator from Los affiliated.”
Filipino roots Angeles helped him land his first television Koy said he understands the writers’ plight.
Born in Tacoma, Washington, Koy started appearance on the nationally syndicated show “I want them to get what they are fighting
performing since he was a young child. BET’s Comic View. for because it’s only a matter of time before I’m
Koy is half-Filipino, half-Caucasian. However, A week before the September 11, 2001 in their shoes.”
he relates with his Filipino side the most. attacks, Koy won at the prestigious Showtime Asked when the show was to be aired, Koy
“My [Filipino] mom raised me and my at the Apollo. said, “we go in full production mode in January.
sisters,” he said. For the next few years, Koy bounced around Right now, we’re waiting for the strike to end
Koy’s pale complexion is not typically the college and comedy club circuit. He has and [we are] hoping that it will be settled
Filipino, but he is definitely Pinoy. Koy’s opened for comedians Dave Chappelle, Mike within the next few months.” (AJ)
Page 20
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47