Jesse Appell is a bilingual comedian, author, social media creator and entrepreneur followed by over 3 million people in both China and the West. His appearances on Chinese TV shows such as “Huan Le Xiju Ren” 欢乐喜剧人, and his comedy fundraisers during COVID, have led to over 500 million total views of his comedy videos around the world.

In 2012, Jesse won a Fulbright Fellowship to move to Beijing and research Chinese traditional “Xiangsheng” comedy, apprenticing to Master Ding Guangquan, one of the top comedians in China and the only traditional comedy master to take foreign disciples. Over the following decade, he played a role in the rise of the modern comedy scene in China, a story chronicled in his new book, This Was Funnier in China.

Jesse is also the founder of Jesse’s Teahouse, an online tea culture video channel and e-commerce website, and is a leader in bringing Chinese tea culture to the West.

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Jesse’s book, This Was Funnier in China, is full of stories about apprenticing to Master comedian Ding Guangquan to learn the traditional Chinese comedy style of Xiangsheng. From comedy technique to life lessons, Jesse shares what can be learned from moving to a new country with a goal to learn what makes people laugh.

As part of the book tour, Jesse has created a new 45-minute English-language comedy show called This Show Was Funnier in China, which mixes jokes and stories about Jesse’s life as a Chinese comedian’s apprentice along with selected readings from the book.

We look forward to welcoming Jesse to Der Nister!

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The price of admission includes the book.

Parking is found on either side of the building, but if those lots are reserved, look to park on Hill or south of 7th. There will be someone at the front door to let you in, then head up to the 14th floor.