Grains, leaves and the power of humor

Nearly 40 years after the country began opening up to the world, Chinese have become increasingly open to other kinds of art and entertainment, too, and humor is no exception. 

Stand-up comedy captured the national imagination in 2010 on the back of the success of Mr Zhou Live Show, a Chinese television live show hosted by stand-up comedian Zhou Libo, and the performance by the Jilin-born humorist Joe Wong at the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington.

A couple of years later the Tonight 80's Talk Show began airing on Dragon TV. Since then, a comic style that at first seemed rather alien to the country has grown roots and now seems more like a part of the natural landscape.

As a result, television comedy shows such as Jin Xing Show and online comedy shows such as Roast have not only won over a legion of hard-bitten fans but have maintained high viewer ratings as well.

Shi, now wearing his "Serious" cap, says: "Although stand-up comedy was born in the West, I reckon that was by pure accident. For example, when it was decided to add taste to water, Westerners added grains while we added leaves. That's why they prefer beer and we love tea. It's like crosstalk and stand-up comedy. The form of humor is randomly picked.

"However, Chinese stand-up comedy is different to its Western counterpart. The humor really is different. Chinese love playing with words while Americans go for twists of logic. But personal style is still paramount. I am unlike anyone, be they American, Chinese or anyone else."