Chinese stand-up makes hit US debut

Comedian Zhou Libo is known for his "Shanghai-style small talk".[Photo/CFP]

Zhou Libo, a Chinese stand-up comedian who is famous for his iconic "Shanghai-style small talk", made his debut on Friday night at New York's Carnegie Hall.

The show, Sing Our Generation's Songs, Tell My Own Jokes, was the first time a Chinese stand-up comedian took the stage at one of the world's most renowned venues, which was built in 1890.

"I have been to New York many times, but it is my first time to perform in this city," Zhou said before kicking off his one-man show.

A constant ripple of laughter and applause from a packed audience punctuated the two-hour performance, which featured various popular Chinese songs from different periods in the country.

Zhou, in a white suit, inspired patriotism in the audience of some 2,800, who joined him in singing I Love You, China and the Chinese national anthem before the show came to its end.

"I had a very wonderful time tonight. Zhou is very humorous and his performance is very impressive," said an American who studied Chinese in Nanjing in East China's Jiangsu province about 10 years ago.

Zhou first gained popularity in 2006 with a unique comedic style delivered in a linguistic mixture of Mandarin, Shanghai dialect and some English words and phrases.

His Shanghai-style talk has attracted a considerable fan base among the Chinese.

Zhou also created the Mr Zhou Live Show, which is considered by some as Chinese television's first comedy talk show.