Comedian JR de Guzman on cracking jokes in a time of cancel culture

I’m interested in finding out what cancel culture in the Philippines is about, but there is really no topic that I wouldn’t touch if I could make it funny.”

Thus said standup comedian and musician JR de Guzman, who will be bringing his hit US show “Later That Evening” to Manila this June. The Philippine-born comic who moved to California at an early age often injects stories about his experiences as a Filipino immigrant growing up in America.

“I want to be able to talk about things that I feel are worth performing. I do think that if another comic is performing a topic that is risky and is doing a good job at making it funny, then by all means, do it,” JR said in response to a question on what topics he would not dare touch, especially in this age of cancel culture and “wokeness.”

“That being said, I have done some things that would make people react. Should I stop doing them? I’ve learned that people will always find something to be offended by, so if you cut out every joke that offended your audiences, you wouldn’t have a set. ‘Was I really out of line?’ I ask myself that question every night before I go to sleep. I do think that if you genuinely believe that it’s funny, then you should keep it in your set,” JR told reporters in a recent virtual media gathering organized by MYX Global.

JR has been making a name on the world stage with his extraordinary gift of entertaining live audiences, while introducing Asian culture and conveying his take on racism in his narratives. He was previously featured in the Netflix special “The Comedy Lineup” and Comedy Central’s “Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City.”

Comics to watch

Named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch in 2022, JR will serenade audiences with his songs and amuse them with hilarious anecdotes in MYX Global’s “Later that Evening” show at The Theatre at Solaire on June 3, at 7 p.m.

Aside from the United States where he is currently touring this particular show until the end of the year, JR has already performed for Stand-Up Tokyo and ROR Comedy in Japan, the Jokers Ball in Indonesia, the Badaboom Comedy Series in Amsterdam, and many other international shows. He also won in the 2016 “Stand-Up NBC” competition and was named the “New Face” in a festival called “Just for Laughs 2017.”

At the virtual chat, which also featured JR’s opening acts, Red Orello and Ryan Puno, JR was asked how performing in different countries influenced his materials. He also explained how he connects with diverse audiences. “It’s pretty straightforward. I just do things that are more relatable, like family and sex. For me, it’s been helpful to have music as I go internationally because I feel that it’s universal. It’s hard to figure out what’s going to work in a particular country compared to another. I think it’s something I have to find out by doing shows there. I try to think broader and on a human and cultural level when I travel overseas,” JR explained.

Here is an excerpt of the recent hourlong interview with JR:

We remember you telling a story about how you bombed a set that came after Alex Calleja. How do you deal with jokes that don’t run smoothly?

I blame Alex because he was just too good that night. I really wanted to erase that story, but I end up telling it in every one of these press cons. It was a Valentine’s Day show. Alex went before me and just crushed it so hard. I, on the other hand, was still pretty new, probably only two or three years in. I bombed pretty hard, and the audience was like, ‘Could you bring Alex back on?’ That was the hardest I’ve ever experienced in my life. That being said, if a joke doesn’t work—it’s like boxing—you just have to keep going unless it’s obvious that it was already making the crowd feel awkward.

What do you consider your most memorable show?

I feel that if you remember when you bombed, then you should also remember your best show. Two highlights for me, career-wise, would have to be opening for JoKoy at Madison Square Garden in New York City last year, and the one that took place in my hometown. I performed at a memorial auditorium, again, as an opening act. The tape from that show got me my first Netflix special.

Do you have a favorite joke inspired by your Filipino upbringing? How do foreigners relate to it?

I just talk about how I learned to sing and play music in the church because my grandma took me there twice a day when I was growing up. Talking about that stuff, everyone usually kind of gets it even if they’re not Christian, Catholic or Muslim. I feel that everyone relates to having strict, conservative and religious grandparents, who tell you to pray about every problem you have. Doing it in front of other cultures, I haven’t really had any problem with it.

Tickets are up for grabs on www.ticketworld.com.ph  and Solaire Box Office Level 2. INQ

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