Days in the Life of Jo Koy

Valentines Day

2009-02-14T04:53:00.001-08:00

My Valentines

I’m enjoying my shows in Denver. It’s so much fun doing new material with such a wonderful crowd. It’s really cold here, but I heard it’s freezing back home in LA.

Today is Valentines Day and so many people have been asking me what my plans are. Well, since I’m booked for another show here tonight, I’m just planning to give my audience a night of great laughs to thank them for coming out to see me.

When I think about sending love to those special to me on this very Hallmark day, I think about my friends and family who’ve been there for me throughout my career, life and every day.

I’m so thankful for:

My mom: I love her very much. She’s a great woman who worked so hard to raise our family. She’s a big part of my success.

My sisters Rowena and Gemma: They are a big part of my life. Rowena is always looking out for me and there to support me through everything. We have so many great memories from childhood. Gemma is a great line of support and always encouraging me along the way.

My friends, dad and cousins: They are always there at all my events cheering me on.

The mother of my son. She’s given me the most important person in my life – my son. I thank her for taking good care of him while I’m away and on the road, being a good mom to him and friend to me.

My son, the funniest guy I know.

My fans, supporters and followers: Thank you for all your laughs, kind words, smiles and giving me reasons to work at being better every day.

Happy Valentines Day!

Going to Denver

2009-02-11T04:26:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite places to perform.

Fun times with my son

2009-02-11T01:54:00.000-08:00

He's my "everything" and the funniest guy I know. I think of him all the time, especially whenever I am on the road, away from home. I enjoy doing things with him, whether it's picking out his favorite toy at Target, picking him up from school or training him how to fight. He's my family and my reason for trying my best to do well in my career.

Little Jo reminds me every day how special the little things in life are. He really goes out of his way just to give me a good laugh, even though he gives me a good laugh with every thing he does (like color his "ting ting" green. His mother and I remained good friends all these years just to provide him with the special sense of having both a mom and dad in his life even though we split up when he was just a baby. I'll never let anything get in the way of me being a good father to him. He deserves the world.

Here are some videos of us at home. We enjoy watching boxing together and our friends bought us a punching ball for Christmas. Little Jo found other uses for it.

Confessions of a Ting! Ting! Artist

2009-02-01T04:46:00.000-08:00

Many people have come up to me and asked if my son really colored his "Ting Ting" green. I now have this video to prove that it really did happen.

This is what he did while I was in Australia. When I called his to check up on him, she told me what he did and I tried my best to keep myself from laughing since my ex-wife was so frustrated with him at the time. What can I say? He's just a boy with an artistic mind, looking for a good laugh.

Hanging out with friends at Maxim's Cafe back in December

2009-01-29T15:48:00.000-08:00

After some of my shows in So. Cal, we like to hang out and eat at Maxim's Cafe. The staff there is wonderful. Here is a clip of us with them.

2009-01-20T10:20:00.000-08:00

My son and the "J"

2009-01-19T04:13:00.000-08:00

I came home and saw my son cut his own bangs. He said it was because they were in his eye. He called it the "J".

Backstage at Chelsea Lately

2009-01-14T02:56:00.000-08:00

Chelsea and I have been friends for like three years now. We performed at shows together before. I remember she asked me to be her sidekick on her show when it first came out and I kind of turned it down. The only reason was that I have an agenda and a goal I wanted to achieve and I felt that it was not the right move for me. I wanted my own show. She got the Chelsea show and I want the Jo Koy show. The decision I made was a risk because the show is successful. It was a bad decision in the beginning, but it turned out great since Comedy Central gave me my own show. I’m so happy for her and all she’s done. I love her a lot because she is so giving. She shares her show with other comedians, which she doesn’t need to do. I get a lot of exposure from that show. I love that show!

Gemini

2009-01-13T19:33:00.001-08:00

This was from 3 months ago and I've been on the road and so busy with my TV shows that I haven't had much time to celebrate this. Canada awarded me with a Gemini Award. I am very much thankful for the recognition.

How crazy was that?! I know here in America no one knows about it, but in Canada is huge. It’s a Canadian Emmy and a lot of great starts won it like Alanis Morrisette, John Candy and Avril Lavigne. They are all big names... and here I am, just Jo Koy. My friend Russell Peters, a comedian that lives in Toronto also won the Gemini award the same year I did, swears that I’m the only American to win that award. It’s so cool to win it and it makes me so happy.

Jon Lovitz

2009-01-13T18:33:00.000-08:00

This is a clip of a show Jon Lovitz and I did together at the Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach. I was headlining that night and asked Jon if he could come down and do a few minutes for the audience. He ended up using that time to make fun of me - but we're good friends, so I did it right back to him. jo koy

Orange Chicken

2009-01-13T17:57:00.000-08:00

My son, the next Manny Pacquiao

2009-01-02T15:00:00.000-08:00

A New Year

2008-12-31T20:50:00.000-08:00

2008 is great, but 2009 is MINE!

2009 will be incredible! I believe in positive thinking and energy. I always say that every year will be my year and I like saying that because it makes my body switch this gear on and starts working on things you challenge it to. When you want something, you get it.

I hate saying, “I hope” or “Wish me luck” because there is no luck. It’s always going to happen. I don’t hope because I know so. Hope means you are not sure.

Know means it’s going to happen.

Some people are dwelling on "how tough these times are". For me, I don’t care if the economy is thriving or hurting because watching Comedy is just awesome. I love to laugh. It’s the natural high. Don’t you realize that when you laugh really hard, whatever you were thinking before that just kinds of go away.

All I can say is that everything is going to be fine. This is America. We live in the greatest country in the world. We have been here before, but we always pull through. This recession is nothing compared to the one we experienced in the early 1900’s in which they had soup lines. We are going to be fine. We are the hippest country in the world. All the cool things come from America. Never lose hope in this country. jo koy

My mom and I in Las Vegas

2008-12-28T12:20:00.000-08:00

My mom has always been a major part of my life and will always be. Here we are in Las Vegas in front of the marquee at the South Point Casino. I've performed in venues all around the world, but this time in Vegas was special because I got to perform "at home". With all my friends and family from the place I grew up in.

Another reason why our country is the greatest – America is the land of opportunity. Literally, you don’t even need have to speak English and you can be a millionaire because "it" can provide it for you. I don’t have a college degree, but it doesn’t matter. I have a God given talent and I am making a great living. Don’t get me wrong, I am not discouraging people to go to college. I want my son to go to college, but if he does not want to, I will not sit down and cry about it. I know he will make it because I made it. jo koy

Hanging out with John Magic in Las Vegas

2008-12-28T05:10:00.000-08:00

I had a blast in Las Vegas. Sold out three shows at the South Point Casino. It was awesome to come back to the place I call home - the place where I learned so much about show business and myself.

I went to Seafood City and my Mom's radio show in Las Vegas. She's a hard working woman and I love her. This is all the footage by my friend and DJ - John Magic from Fresno, CA.

Success and Money

2008-12-16T00:29:00.000-08:00

Success has nothing to do with money or anything like that. Even if you take those away, I’ll still be successful. Success for me is if you have a goal in your life and you do it, then you are successful. Money is not the stamp of approval.

It’s so funny because I used to sit on the shower before I became a comic and had this radio that I would always play and pretend I was winning the Apollo as a comedian. Now here I am and I won it. For me, even though there was no money in winning the Apollo, it’s still success. I successfully achieved a goal that was my lifelong dream. Every time I told myself I want to be on something, I always ended up getting it. Set a goal and go for it and never look back. If you are going to do it, just do it.

I always challenge myself. The last couple of shows, I have been doing more than hour sets. I literally had to cut off my feature or guest comic because I need time to write and perform new jokes. I know when my Comedy Central hour special hits on Jan. 4, I need new jokes for my shows. jo koy

Marlize visits me at the Brea Improv

2008-12-06T17:06:00.000-08:00

New York: Brooklyn and Chinese Food

2008-11-01T00:39:00.000-07:00

We went straight from Australia to the Philippines and then I just had a day or two to rest before flying to New York to film my hour special for Comedy Central.

Upon arrival I went straight to Brooklyn to film the opening for my special

Dakota Pictures and Troy Miller did a great job of putting everything together.

After shooting for a few hours in the cold rain and air, all I wanted was some decent Chinese food: hot soup, nice fried rice and typical dishes. My wife was back at our hotel and not feeling well, so I was determined to get her something good.

We went to Chinatown and had the hardest time finding something "not too authentic". Our limo driver almost grew impatient but found it funny to see what a hard time we were having. Each place had the oddest dishes (in the eyes of a typical American). Finally, we found something good (after an hour of searching).

Philippines: part four

2008-10-29T17:15:00.000-07:00

After eating a wonderful meal at Cafe ___________ in Pasig City, we headed over to meet with a friend of my friends in Marikina - Ara Mina. She owns her own coffee shop - Cafe Mina and also happens to be major actress on Filipino TV and movies. She was so nice and hospitable. Her cafe had the best vanilla latte I could find in the Philippines. I wondered why!?

After hanging out with Ara, we went to Embassy to experience the night life in Manila.

Philippines 2008: part three - Cafe Juanita

2008-10-28T17:29:00.000-07:00

I was so busy doing promo visits in Manila and the only free time I had was to eat. Thankfully and I had a group of friends who knew the best places to eat in Makati and Quezon City. One place they were continuously raving about was Cafe Juanita in Pasig City. When we got the chance, we headed over there (it's hard to find) and the rest is history.

It's so good I almost don't want to let other people know about it because I'm afraid it might get overexposed and commercialized - it's a jewel in Pasig City.

Philippines 2008: part one

2008-10-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

Visiting the Philippines was so awesome! Some of my fondest memories from my childhood were from there. It was cool coming back home and reminisce on the things I did during my childhood. I got to enjoy some of the "night life" and lots of great food.

Galing Ng Pinoy

2007-11-07T03:52:00.000-08:00

Galing Pinoy: A FilAm on Comedy Central

By Joseph Pimentel

AFTER a hilarious panel performance, FilAm comedian Jo Koy gives his audience yet another jocular reason to smile.

On November 6, during the taping of E! Cable Television Network ‘Chelsea Lately,’ Koy announced that he is set to have his own show on cable TV. ‘Chelsea Lately’ is one of E!’s top-rated shows and is hosted by female comedian, Chelsea Handler.

“I’m coming out with a new comedy series that will be shown on Comedy Central,” said Koy to the audience as he left the set to the green room.

Comedy Central signed Koy to a one-year, one-season deal last August. He is being represented by one of the most illustrious talent group in Hollywood Creative Artist Agency (CAA).

Koy said that the format of his show is going to be similar to Carlos Mencia’s “Mind of Mencia,” but with a Filipino flavor.

“It’s going to be a variety show focusing on different topics like growing up Filipino and Asian and just growing up in general,” he said in an interview with the Asian Journal.

“I want this to be about us,” he added.

Koy also recently filmed a 30-minute performance on Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” program.

Koy permitted the Asian Journal to accompany him during the taping of his panel appearance on ‘Chelsea Lately.’

Koy was part of a panel which included Dr. Drew Pinsky from Loveline and Star Magazine Editor Bonnie Fuller. They talked about different topics including magician David Copperfield’s recent legal woes, Sarah Jessica Parker voted as the un-sexiest woman alive and other things going on in pop culture.

During the taping, the audience laughed their loudest when Koy made fun of the issues.

“Chelsea is great,” he said after the show. “She’s awesome. She was just really quick [and] on-point. I’m just happy that I sat right next to her.”

“My favorite jokes of the night were [about] Star Jones. I thought that was funny,” he added. “And Sarah Jessica Parker when I said ‘if she had a brother that they would look exactly the same.”

“Overall, I gave my performance an eight or a nine. It was fun.”

Filipino Roots
Born in Tacoma, Washington, Koy started performing since he was young child. Koy is half-Filipino, half-Caucasian. However, he relates with his Filipino side the most.

“My [Filipino] mom raised me and my sisters,” he said.

Koy’s pale complexion is not typically Filipino, but he is definitely Pinoy. Koy’s comedic routine normally includes jokes about growing up Filipino. He would joke about how his mom would point things with her lips or pick things up with her feet.

A crowd favorite, Jo Koy also impersonates the way his mother mispronounces her P’s and F’s.

“My mom would always ask me, ‘Josef, are you going to the Laugh Pactory.’ Are you going to be punny?”

Koy credits his mother for his comedic and acting talents. At an early age, he and his sister Rowena (a Las Vegas singer) were always encouraged by their mother to participate in school talent shows and impromptu performances in front of family and friends.

“My mom used to force us (my sister and I) to these school talent shows,” he reminisced. “She would get all into it. My sister and I did a Michael Jackson performance and my mom made the rhinestone gloves just like Michael Jackson.”

From Open Mic…
Koy started his career as a comedian after high school doing open mics in a Seattle coffeehouse.

“I remember having to perform while the workers would grind coffee,” he said. “I bombed. I wasn’t any good.”

However, it wasn’t until his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where he seriously considered a career in comedy. In 1996, he started making a name for himself at comedy clubs in and around Las Vegas. He finally got a break when he tried his luck at the Catch a Rising Star comedy club at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

He said a talent coordinator from Los Angeles helped him land his first television appearance on the nationally syndicated show BET’s ‘Comic View.’

A week before the September 11, 2001 attacks, Koy won at the prestigious Showtime at the Apollo.

For the next few years, Koy bounced around the college and comedy club circuit. He has opened for comedians Dave Chappelle, Mike Epps, and rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. He has also performed overseas for American Troops in Japan, Korea and Okinawa in the USO tour.

Koy’s career began to flourish when he moved to Los Angeles. He became a regular at the world famous Laugh Factory. The birth of his son motivated him even more to make it in the tough business and gave him comic relief as well.

“It’s one thing to be a struggling artist but another when your kid is starving,” he said.

Laugh Factory Owner Jamie Masada told this reporter two years ago that “Jo Koy is going to make it in this industry. He has everything. He is a mixture of Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Jim Carrey.”

Last year, he received his biggest break when he performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Koy sported a jacket with a small Philippine flag above his heart. He was the first Filipino to be on the show.

“They don’t allow logos of any kind but I felt it was important to represent being Filipino,” he said.

His performance garnered him a standing ovation. He is only one of three comedians in the history of the show ever to receive a standing ovation. Following that momentum, he performed for the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show before touring the nation with Carlos Mencia’s Punisher Tour.

Earlier this year, the Entertainment Trade Publication Daily Variety mentioned Koy as one of the “10 comics to watch” of 2007.

Comedy Central saw his enormous popularity and pounced on Koy when the opportunity arose.

“It took me 12 years to make it,” admits Koy. “It took eight/ nine years just to get an agent. I deserve this because I worked hard.”

Not bad for someone that never received any formal acting or comedic training.

Writers Strike Impact

After Koy signed the deal with Comedy Central last August, the Writers Guild of America went on strike and had a slight effect on the production of his show.

For the past few months, the show has been in pre-production.

“It doesn’t affect me so far,” he said. “Since my show is new, it’s non-WGA but eventually, we are going to look for writers that are WGA affiliated.”

Koy said he understands the writers’ plight.

“I want them to get what they are fighting for because it’s only a matter of time before I’m in their shoes.”

Asked when the show was to be aired, Koy said, “we go in full production mode in January. Right now, we’re waiting for the strike to end and [we are] hoping that it will be settled within the next few months.” (AJ)