
This Was Funnier In China The Authentic Journey With Comedian Jesse Appell
Published: March 16, 2026
Duration: 19:58
A heartfelt, one-of-a-kind memoir chronicling the hilarious, absurd, and thought-provoking experiences of an American pursuing comedy in China, learning first-hand how humor does and doesn't translate-and whether laughter transcends borders."I marched onstage in a long robe beside my Shifu, under the curious eyes of a thousand Chinese comedy fans, armed only with a microphone and the goal to kill onstage or die trying. Over the speakers, the host shouted: "Welcome to the stage: Master Ding Guangquan and his American disciple, Ai Jie Xi!"When self-proclaimed American class clown Jesse Appell signed up to study Mandarin in high school, he...