Dr. Ken Jeong Interview for Wicked Attitude.com

For those out there who don't know about you, you're a fully licensed doctor and you do comedy on the side, how did that come about?

I was doing theater in college. When I got accepted into medical school, I still had to perform. So I started doing standup and just kept at it, eventually moving out to LA and being fortunate enough to appear on Comedy Central & BET. Now I'm doing more acting, so everything has come full circle.

Being a doctor is such a demanding career, how do you have time to do both?

It's all about balance & priority.

Have you ever had any of your patients catch your comedy act? If so, have any ever asked if they were inspiration for some of your jokes?

I've had a few patients see me on TV. They know it's an act because at work I'm pretty serious & intense. Comedy's the ultimate outlet; it's my golf.

How do your wife and parents feel about being part of the act? Are they good sports or do they cringe?

They are very good sports with great senses of humor. I always run stuff by them before I do it on stage.

You seem to get a great response to your History of Rap medley, have you ever heard from any of the artists that you paid homage to in the song?

No. Sigh.

Different comics have different ways of coming up with their acts, how do you come up with your material and keep track of topics you'd like to cover in a set?

I don't keep track of topics or consciously have a theme per se. I tend to improvise a lot on stage, and if something clicks, I develop it. If it doesn't, I throw it away.

Have you ever had an audience or audience member turn on you?

Oh, yeah. If a comic hasn't bombed or been heckled, then that person hasn't been doing it long enough. I don't remember specifics, but it happens and you move on. I don't remember any horrible event that made me want to quit comedy or anything like that. Heckling & bad crowds are just occupational hazards.

Anyone who has visited your website or myspace page has likely seen a video called "What's It Gonna Be?" in which you make a co-starring appearance with Mike O' Connell, which is hilarious. How did that concept come about?

"What's It Gonna Be?" was written by Mike O'Connell, one of my best friends. We were in an improv group many moons ago. He's a genius. He came up with the concept and song, and I sang on it. That song is all him, and I'm happy he's taken me along for the ride. We've done this live on stage in NY & LA, and the crowd response has been phenomenal. And we have more songs & videos to come, so stay tuned.

You were a guest star on NBC's "The Office" (E-mail Surveillance episode) describe your experience working on the set.

The best TV experience I ever had. "The Office" is my favorite show. I was in awe of Steve Carrell and the whole crew. There were times I couldn't stop laughing when Steve was improvising.

If you could pick one other show you'd like to guest star on besides "The Office," which would it be?

I'm also a fan of "Entourage," and I am guest-starring on that next Sunday.

I can't believe that I've appeared on these shows. It's all very surreal.

(Note: Entourage original airdate July 30, 2006. Episode entitled "The Release", check local listings for rerun information)

You recently released a DVD called "The Kims of Comedy" with Steve Byrne, Bobby Lee and Kevin Shea…how did you meet each of the other comedians and how did the DVD come to fruition?

I've known Bobby Lee for years. He's a great guy. Bobby helped me out a lot in the beginning, getting me on MadTV whenever they needed another Asian. Bobby makes me laugh so hard. He fully commits to his comedy. He just rips it up every time, always gives his all.

I met Steve Byrne a few years ago in LA. He's simply one of the best comics working today. Incredible work ethic. He'll do seven shows a night & not break a sweat. He's the most complete comedian I know. Steve & I performed at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival last week. He's an amazing guy, and one of the nicest people you can meet.

I met Kevin Shea doing "Asia Street Comedy." Kevin's incredibly funny with a great dry style different from the rest of us. I love his stuff. Very deadpan. He's a great complement to our ensemble. When the right moment came along, we all decided to do a DVD together, and it came out great. I love performing with these guys, and I am a huge fan of all of them. It has been the highlight of my standup career to be a part of this group.

"The Kims of Comedy" is selling very well. Due to its success and the lack of well known Asian comedians, do you consider yourselves pioneers of sorts in bringing Asian comedy to the forefront of the comedy circuit?

I don't think we're pioneers, but I do believe that the four of us together is definitely something special. We've sold out almost every live show we've done, and that's pretty amazing considering we're not household names. We've sold out all-Asian markets like San Francisco & non-Asian markets like Sacramento.

When people heard I was interviewing you, the most requested question I was told to ask you is to translate the Vietnamese phrase you use to kid that race. If you choose not to reveal it, would non-Asians get beat up for yelling it in a Vietnamese restaurant?

"Why are you so beautiful?" That's all it means, yet it means so much.

Hollywood calls and you're offered a leading man role. You can't do both a movie and be a doctor, which do you choose?

Actually, I believe I can be both. When I'm not doing a movie, I'll still be a doctor. Simple as that. It's only a dilemma if you make it a dilemma.

What comedians make you laugh?

Dave Attell, Mike O'Connell, all of the Kims.

Do you have any projects you're currently working on? Here's your chance to plug them!

I just wrapped my first major film called "Knocked Up," written & directed by one of my comedy heroes Judd Apatow. Judd wrote & directed "The 40 Year Old Virgin" and produced "Anchorman." I play a gynecologist to Katherine Heigl ("Grey's Anatomy") & Seth Rogen ("40 Year Old Virgin").

Judd Apatow is the most amazing director I've ever worked with. He's very adept at keeping the comedy grounded in reality, yet he gives his actors unprecedented freedom to improvise. I've never had that kind of freedom before. He's an actor's dream. Speaking of actors, Katherine Heigl is phenomenal in this movie. And Seth Rogen is the MAN.

On top of that, this movie is a reunion of stars from "Freaks & Geeks" and "Undeclared," two of the greatest TV shows of all time, both created by Judd Apatow. So, if you're fan of these shows, you will not be disappointed.

To be a part of this film was the greatest moment of my comedy career. I honestly don't know how it can get any better than this.

What message would you like to leave your current and future fans with?

Thank you for all your support & making my dreams come true!

Wicked Attitude would like to thank Dr. Ken for taking time out of his busy schedule to grant us an interview! If you'd like to see clips of his comedy set you can stop by his website and if you're a myspace member, you can catch him there as well.

Dr. Ken's website

Dr. Ken's myspace

Knocked Up website (includes 18+ trailer)