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Queer Asian Stand-Up Comedians Bring the Laughs in Hulu’s “Comedy InvAsian” Series

Kevin Yee and transgender comic Robin Tran each get one-hour episodes.

The first Asian American stand-up comedy TV series, Hulu’s Comedy InvAsian, features six hour-long episodes spotlighting a diverse group of comics.

One is dedicated to gay Chinese-Canadian Kevin Yee, who combines original, satirical songs with schtick, and another to Vietnamese-American transgender comic Robin Tran, whose set is opened by her girlfriend Cate Gary.

NewNowNext spoke with Yee, Tran, and director and series co-creator Quentin Lee (Gay Hollywood Dad) for the scoop.

How did you go about finding comedians for this series?

Quentin Lee: Through recommendations and internet searches. I should mention that D'Lo, an American-Sri Lankan trans-male comedian, opened Atsuko Okatsuka’s episode. His opening act will be part of an internet short series spinoff with other opening acts that didn’t make the series.

Is a series like this overdue, and why?

Robin Tran: Absolutely. I think Asian Americans are totally underrepresented in comedy. Part of [the reason is] logistics. They’re more encouraged to be doctors and lawyers, which I was encouraged to be. I was a theater arts major, but everybody in the family told me to quit because I would never make money. But eventually I did what I wanted and started doing stand-up.

Kevin Yee: I feel like we're just not ever highlighted in Hollywood, so this is a good way to do that as comedians.

Who are a few of your comic role models?

Yee: Margaret Cho is the first person I watched an hour special by, and I thought it was an interesting way to tell your truth on stage. Also those who build their community up. I appreciate what Tyler Perry did for his community, and building an empire off of that. I'd like to see that happen for more Asian and queer writers as well.

Tran: A lot of my comic role models have gotten in trouble a lot lately in the news (laughs)! I had to become my own role model. In 2006, I bought a DVD of Louis C.K.’s Shameless and that was when I thought, 'I can do that for a living.' Then there's Conan O’Brien. I never watch for his jokes—I'd watch for when they fail and how he responds. He taught me to not take yourself so seriously.

Besides your InvAsian episodes, where can people catch you performing these days and what else is in the works?

Yee: I have a monthly show at The Virgil in Los Angeles, so check their calendar.

Tran: I've been doing a lot of shows in L.A. lately, random shows, and a Comedy Central roast battle in a few days. Cate and I do a show together called The Unconventional Lesbians. But my calendar is pretty free. I'm hoping it will be more full after the series premieres.

Lee: I just shot a diverse female comedy feature special titled Brash Girls Club with Canadian Kimberly McVicar, half-Indonesian Melanie Maras, and Native American lesbian Leah Mansfield. I hope you’ll get to see it this year at a film festival or via streaming.

Comedy InvAsian premieres August 1 on Hulu.

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