By Don Chareunsy, Las Vegas Sun
If you’ve followed the career of Vietnamese-American comedian Dat Phan since his victory on Season 1 of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” on Aug. 5, 2003, you know the following: He’s been robbed at gunpoint and at one point was homeless and sleeping under a desk and living out of his car.
Dat Phan. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Phan, 39, isn’t one to rehash his past and instead perks up when the subject of food is addressed (pho and steak are favorites). He also answered questions about hecklers, being a trailblazer in comedy and his family in the San Diego area.
Here are excerpts from a phone conversation with Phan, who headlines South Point Showroom tonight, Saturday and Sunday as part of a tour that has taken him in recent weeks to Boulder, Colo., Boston, San Diego, Atlanta, Memphis and San Francisco.
You were a trailblazer when you won “Last Comic Standing” as an Asian American. Is there racism in the comedy world, the industry, in 2014?
In terms of the audiences, yes, of course, racism is still very strong, although not as bad as in the 1960s. But it’s still out there. I was doing a radio program to promote my show, and nearly every caller had something racist to say. Example: “The only good Oriental is a dead Oriental.” And that was one of the lighter comments.
How do you handle hecklers?
Do you want the analytical or funny answer? The analytical answer is I size them up, listen to the tone of their voice, figure out their gender, where they’re from, then attack them based upon the person I’ve figure them out to be. Otherwise, I start crying.
What’s the best part of your job?
Making people laugh. I get to sleep in? Traveling. These aren’t very funny answers.
And the most difficult part of your job?
Traveling. Sometimes I’m home only two days out of the month.
What do you like to do outside the world of standup?
I like to play music, guitar, acoustic guitar for fun. It’s a hobby. And vocal lessons.
Is your family still in the San Diego area, and how often do you get home?
They’re east of San Diego in Santee and in other parts. I visit them when I can, but I’m a bit of the loner in the family. I’m the only artist, the oddball, and they don’t fully understand what I do.
Read the full article by Don Chareunsy from Las Vegas Sun.
