KT Tatara is by far one of the best stand-up comedians today. A Washington, D.C. native, now based in Los Angeles, Tatara’s rapid movement upwards in the comedy world is highly due to his unique opinions and unpredictable jokes that leave people on the edge of their seats. His hip, creative comedic act covers a wide range of topics that make him likable to any audience.
His success has made him a familiar face nationwide as he makes his rounds on both coasts, performing at comedic hot spots. Some background research revealed that this comedic career began after college at the age of 20, graduating early with a major in music and communications.
This impressive star gave another performance at the UPAC Comedy show this past Saturday, joking about everything from hating roommates to getting fake phone numbers. He even draws on the many trials and tribulations associated with being Asian, something which is near and dear to the half-Japanese comic; he uses his biracial heritage to correct people who call Barack Obama the first African-American President-elect, as, factually, Obama is the first biracial President-elect as well.
Tatara’s style is heavy on sarcasm, slightly self-deprecating, and very quick-witted. The self-deprecation stems from his appearance; while very “pretty,” as he describes himself, it is rather feminine, as he begrudgingly retells how he was mistaken as a woman from behind by a “huge dude.” (It is important to note that he has also had a fair male modeling career.)
As he started the show, not quite satisfied when he didn’t get the huge applause, he didn’t hesitate to ask the audience to give it up for him, and he stubbornly sat down on the stage till the audience complied—not that anyone had a problem with putting their hands together. He was also very quick to pick up some “yellow on yellow” crimes as he exploded into the Asian jokes.
Tatara starred in the premiere episode of Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham” and was featured as one of the top “New Faces of Comedy” at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. He was also a panelist on syndicated show “Comics Unleashed,” and a featured comic on Imaginasian TV’s “Comedy Zen” and Si TV’s “Asia Street Comedy.” He has also been a guest on various radio shows on both XM and Sirius Satellite radio. Most notably, he co-starred on FX’s new drama series “Dirt” and ABC Family’s “Greek.”
His edgy recipe for hilarity sometimes borders the line of what is politically correct, but it’s that controversy that makes the comic fun to watch. This has sometimes made it difficult for him to be accepted by Asian audiences, but of course he was a hit at RPI.
