From Contributing Writer and Friend of Serica, Emily Nevins

From L-R: Angel Yau, Nicole Asava, Ryan Chittaphong

When we think of comedy variety shows, certain notable names have become emblazoned in our collective memory: SNL, The Carol Burnett Show, In Living Color. For over a century, variety comedy shows have entertained audiences through jokes, sketches, and performances that often built on social identity and structures. However, the question of representation has often plagued the history of comedy, as stereotypes and marginalized identities have been built up as much as broken down by comedy. For the Asian American community, Asian AF: The Hit Asian American Comedy Variety Show, is an effort to begin answering comedy's representation question. 

Asian AF was founded in 2016 by Will Choi with the improvisational show "Scarlett Johansson Presents" at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles. Produced in response to the prominent whitewashing of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) characters in Hollywood, the success of "Scarlett Johansson Presents" led to the establishment of Asian AF as a safe space to celebrate "Asian-ness." Since its inception, Asian AF has continued to develop across the nation and has produced 7 spin-off shows, and has become an important platform for film industry professionals to seek and scout out AAPI talent.

With this winter marking 9 years of showcases, Asian AF has grown into a community movement with a star-studded alumni roster helmed by top AAPI performers, including Awkafina, Bowen Yang, Ken Jeong, Margaret Cho, and Ronny Chieng. Asian AF has also made appearances at multiple prestigious festivals, including the Edinburgh International Improv Festival, The New York Comedy Festival, and the 2023-2024 Comedy Season at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.   

With the next Asian AF New York show approaching on Saturday, November 22 at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York, we caught up with producers and performers Nicole Asava, Ryan Chittaphong, and Angel Yau to discuss their experience spotlighting AAPI comedy with Asian AF. As if entering the stage, from the first moment the producers of Asian AF appeared, an air of warmth and infectious camaraderie flooded the room. Though our first meeting, the interview felt like catching up with old friends.

From L-R: Nicole Asava, Ryan Chittaphong, Angel Yau

Producers Angel Yau and Nicole Asava have been associated with Asian AF NY since its launch in 2017. Ryan Chittaphong, the newest producer to join Asian AF in 2024, pointed out how the show’s audience has developed over the years. 

“People genuinely come to the show to not only see seasoned Asian comedians, but also emerging Asian comedians. I think that’s what’s so exciting about Asian AF, [that] it brings together [a] showcase [of] those who have had wonderful careers and those that are coming up," He said. "[Asian AF] is a little bit of everything for everyone. If somebody isn’t familiar with long-form improvisation, they can connect with stand-up comedy or sketch comedy. If somebody is specifically coming for the improvisation, they will be introduced to some amazing comedians that they may not have seen before [through] stand-up, sketch work, or clowning.”

Though an unexpected and often rare form of comedy in modern day variety shows, Chittaphong's attention to clowning highlight the producers' passion for boldly championing a plethora of performance styles. Angel Yau added, "Asian AF is where we can be Asian "AF" and not apologize for it."

And indeed, they don't.

The pandemic was a transformative time for the show and its cast members. While in-person shows were put on pause, Asian AF pivoted to online performances. Beyond that, for many in the AAPI community, the pandemic was a time of fear, not only of COVID-19, but also of the explosion of hate crimes targeting the AAPI community. It was through the language of comedy that Asian AF found that they were able to tackle serious conversations within the performance community and outside of it. 

Chittaphong recalled the subversive importance of comedy in unifying communities during the pandemic: “I think what was really important during the Stop AAPI Hate movement was to see the Asian comedy community engage non-Asian Americans in the conversation through comedy. I think comedy is one of the most important platforms in art to be able to have these hard conversations.”

Indeed, a sense of pride clearly radiated from the producers of Asian AF as they spoke about their time on the show. Beyond empowering its audience, the show has also become a token of pride for its cast and producers as well.

Nicole Asava recalled her personal experience connecting with the diversity of the Asian American community through Asian AF: “I have found better understanding and more comfortable terms with myself because of being a part of Asian AF. Everyone has been very welcoming," she said. Though some performers may come to Asian AF unsure of their "Asian-ness", wondering if they are they are the "right kind of Asian", or worried that they're too non-Asian presenting, Asava affirmed these performers' identities. “It’s not even a question. You have a Korean grandma? Get in here!” 

Chittaphong agreed: “You don’t have to be Asian enough to be Asian as f***.”  

When asked to describe their favorite Asian AF moments, it took each producer time to pick just one. Yau's favorite moment occurred during her second Asian AF show where she “mishears” that the room is filled with a bunch of “agents,” then excitedly handed out headshot photos of Lucy Liu. Asava recalled an instance where the cast of Asian AF galvanized the audience to stand up and do the electric slide with them, in honor of her mom’s favorite silly move. Chittaphong recalled fond memories of his friend Kathleen Kim's puppet act, brining puppeteering and more diverse comedy forms to the variety show. 

As Asian AF continues to reach new audiences and give voice to Asian and AAPI creatives, the show’s future is buzzing with new and exciting expressions. Their innovative streak continues with the hosting of exciting spin-off shows such as Filipino AF, Gaysian AF, Hawaii AF, Polynesian AF, and the most recent launch, a new Asian AF live D&D game show, Dragon AF. 

When asked about Asian AF's future, Asava envisions producing shows for historical Chinatown communities in places like Manhattan's Chinatown and Flushing. “People work so hard and I just want them to laugh and have a good time," Asava said. As the world of entertainment continues to evolve in a time of uncharted technical advancement, Asian AF continues to hold steady as an establishment to unapologetically amplify AAPI representation through live performance and comedy. 

Asian AF New York returns to the stage this Saturday, November 22! Tickets can be purchased for the performance at the United Citizens Brigade Theatre at 9PM, or via live stream. Get your tickets now at https://ucbcomedy.com/show/asian-af-11-22-25/

Asian AF Los Angeles will also be hosting its 9th Anniversary Show tomorrow, Friday, November 21 - and we'll have more to hear from its founder, Will Choi, next week! Catch the Asian AF Los Angeles show live on stage or through live stream at https://ucbcomedy.com/show/asian-af-las-9-year-anniversary-show-live-and-livestreamed/