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Table of Contents
About The Book
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 never imagined that one day his name would be written into the traditional family tree of Chinese comedy. But when he first moves to Beijing to apprentice to the legendary Master Ding, a single show is all it takes for Jesse and his fellow comedy misfits to understand that book learning means bombing jokes.
To truly get the big laughs, he realizes he needs to know everything, like how long the fuse is on a thirty-cent firework, what card games coal miners play over Chinese New Year, and why comedy writers in Shanghai sometimes sleep in heart-shaped beds.
The result? Asking questions that might seem simple—if they weren’t being asked by an American caught in the breakneck whirlwind of a rising China.
“What do people here find funny?”
“How do you deal with hecklers?”
And, of course, the biggest one of all:
“Can I say that?”
From Jesse’s first forays into the traditional teahouse performance scene to being the only American cast member and writer on a Chinese version of Saturday Night Live, This Was Funnier in China captures an American's wide-eyed, enthusiastic experiences trying to build a world where we can all laugh together.
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 never imagined that one day his name would be written into the traditional family tree of Chinese comedy. But when he first moves to Beijing to apprentice to the legendary Master Ding, a single show is all it takes for Jesse and his fellow comedy misfits to understand that book learning means bombing jokes.
To truly get the big laughs, he realizes he needs to know everything, like how long the fuse is on a thirty-cent firework, what card games coal miners play over Chinese New Year, and why comedy writers in Shanghai sometimes sleep in heart-shaped beds.
The result? Asking questions that might seem simple—if they weren’t being asked by an American caught in the breakneck whirlwind of a rising China.
“What do people here find funny?”
“How do you deal with hecklers?”
And, of course, the biggest one of all:
“Can I say that?”
From Jesse’s first forays into the traditional teahouse performance scene to being the only American cast member and writer on a Chinese version of Saturday Night Live, This Was Funnier in China captures an American's wide-eyed, enthusiastic experiences trying to build a world where we can all laugh together.
Product Details
- Publisher: Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster (February 10, 2026)
- Length: 288 pages
- ISBN13: 9781668087589
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Raves and Reviews
"I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. This Was Funnier in China is not only a masterclass in cross-cultural communication but also a wicked funny ride. At a time when international misunderstanding seems to be the norm, it’s refreshing and downright inspiring to see someone throw themselves so fully into another culture with both humility and (impressively good) humor. . . . There are not many people in the world who have ever had experiences like this, and even fewer who could write about them with this much honesty, warmth, and understanding." —@XiaomaNYC, YouTuber and language teacher
"Funny and insightful. . . Appell’s gift for turning a phrase and genuine passion for cultural exchange lend the proceedings an endearing and approachable quality. Even readers who’ve never encountered Appell’s work will find much to enjoy." —Publishers Weekly
"Jesse Appell is a comedic genius, a fantastic cross-cultural ambassador, and a masterful storyteller. This Was Funnier in China is a must-read for anyone looking to visit, live, or learn more about day-to-day life in China. —Scott Kronick, chair of the University of Southern California US-China Institute Advisory Board and former president and CEO of Ogilvy Public Relations, Asia-Pacific
"A hilarious journey. . . What a great way to not only gain insight into China but also enjoy the unique mind of Jesse Appell." —Des Bishop, comedian
"An interesting way to examine another culture from the point of view of a 'performing monkey' from a faraway land. . . . [A] unique travelogue/memoir." —Kirkus Reviews
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