Co-created by filmmakers Koji Steven Sakai and Quentin Lee, Comedy InvAsian—the first and only stand-up comedy television series of its kind—is now filming its third season. The first two seasons are currently available on AAM.tv, Amazon Prime, Peacock, and Tubi. CHOPSO took the opportunity to speak with Canadian Screen Award–winning showrunner and creator Quentin Lee about the series.
Comedy InvAsian is back!
The Canadian Screen Award winner will direct the third season of Comedy InvAsian, while continuing to co-create and showrun the series alongside Koji Steven Sakai, with whom the show was originally created in 2018. Comedy InvAsian is set to premiere in May, and CHOPSO can exclusively reveal the poster.
Comedy InvAsian is the first and only stand-up comedy television series dedicated to spotlighting emerging AAPI comedians. The series has introduced talents such as Joey Guila, Atsuko Okatsuka, Jiaoying Summers, and Robin Tran to television audiences. Its Canadian spin-off, Comedy Invasion, debuted Indigenous comedian Keith Nahanee on television and went on to win the 2024 Canadian Screen Award for Best Comedy Special.
Comedy InvAsian III features Mortal Kombat II star Ludi Lin, Laugh Proud‘s transgender Cambodian American star Juno Men, Mexipino comic Erik Escobar, Chinese-Indigenous comic Trevor Jang, Japanese American comic Michelle MaliZaki, Fiji-born South Asian comic Shivaan Nadan, transgender Filipino comic Kitty Pine and Blasian comic Vanja Renee.
“Since the inception of Comedy InvAsian, I’ve never used a casting director. Stand-up comedy is highly specialized, and for the first season I personally reached out to every comic to cast the show. I remember going to Atsuko Okatsuka’s home to have her sign her agreement and take publicity photos, and watching a preview of Robin Tran’s show in the apartment she once shared with her former partner. That’s how grassroots Comedy InvAsian was—built one relationship, one living room, one leap of faith at a time.”
Quentin is, of course, no stranger to casting, having given the likes of John Cho, Randall Park, Chris Zylka, Hayden Szeto, and many others their first theatrical feature debut roles.
“Justin Lin and I made our first feature, Shopping for Fangs, while we were still students at UCLA. We didn’t have the budget to hire a casting director—or even to rent a proper casting studio. Instead, we cast the film during off-hours at Visual Communications, the oldest AAPI media nonprofit. I remember when John Cho sent in his headshot and I showed it to Justin. When John came in to audition, I looked at Justin and said, he’s my guy. Justin agreed instantly,” Quentin continues. “To this day, whether I’m working with a casting director or not, I love the casting process. It’s not only fun—it’s half the battle in making a great movie or show.”
Comedy InvAsian III will world premiere live on Feb 14 and 15 at the Japanese American National Museum. And stay tuned for its television release in May!
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