Well into his second decade of stand-up comedy, Jo Koy is returning to Australia with his energetic live show and family-inspired humour.
Jo knew he wanted to do stand-up from the age of 11, after watching Eddie Murphy's Delirious. “I was already the funny guy at school,” he says, “and everyone always called me a comedian and told me I should be a comedian.”
After appearing on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and receiving a standing ovation, Jo's career began to take off. “I didn't realise how many people watched until it aired. I was working three jobs at the time, one as a teller at the bank, and the next day every other person was like, 'weren't you on The Tonight Show last night?' And I was like, 'yeah', and they were like, 'okay cool, can you cash this cheque for me now?'”
Family is an important part of Jo's routine, telling jokes and stories about his Filipino mother as well as his son.
“I talk about that kind of stuff, about being a father. My son's getting older now and he's getting into crazier shit, and relationships. I'm a single dad now — how life has changed.”
Jo avidly aims to talk about topics his audience can relate to, keeping to his own original delivery and style. “I want to keep the energy the same and I always want to keep my routines the same. If the topic I'm talking about jeopardises the way I act on stage then I let it go, because I think that's a big part of who I am and that's always been a part of me, and people come out to see that.”
The success of Jo's last trip to Australia was unexpected, and he's excited about his return down under. “Last time I went to Australia, you guys came out to see me just 'cause I was funny, you didn't care about the credit. [Australians] embrace the art form more than the personality.”
Jo says the tour will be no vacation and he'll be working hard to put on the best shows possible. “I'm going out there to literally make you guys cry with laughter, that's my ultimate goal and that's what I want to do. I want to leave there with my footprint in the sand, and for you guys to go, 'God damn Jo Koy, he conquered!'”
Jo Koy Tour Dates Australia:
Tue Nov 13 — Astor Theatre (Perth)Thu Nov 15 — The Palms At Crown (Melbourne)
Sun Nov 18 — Enmore Theatre (Sydney)
Mon Nov 19 — The Tivoli (Brisbane)
