‘Dave Chappelle Would Starve’: How to Survive in China’s Stand-Up Scene
From small clubs to viral talent shows, Chinese comedians are testing how far laughter can go in a system where every punchline must pass through censors.
Illustration: Isabella Cotier for Bloomberg
Chinese stand-up comic Dai Wei just had one of his busiest summers ever. In a single weekend, he performed six shows in the city of Shenzhen, then flew to Shanghai to take part in The King of Stand-Up Comedy — a talent show produced by streaming giant iQiyi Inc.
On stage in Shanghai, Dai was calm and composed, joking in a soft voice that he hoped his 6-year-old daughter would escape a future life of cooking and washing for a “stupid husband.” The studio audience, mostly young women, erupted in laughter and applause.