CGTN America
Margaret Cho talks with Mike Walter about growing up Asian, what fuels her activism and her “PsyCHO” comedy tour.
There are more than 18 million Asian Americans currently living in the United States – with the largest group being of Chinese descent.
From the entertainment industry to food and fashion, Asian Americans are influencing the cultural fabric of the United States on a daily basis.
Margaret Cho – Comedy, activism and growing up Asian
Margaret Cho talks about growing up Asian, what fuels her activism and her “PsyCHO” comedy tour.
Margaret Cho is a comedian, an author, a musician, an actor, a clothing designer, an activist and a trailblazer.
Perhaps most telling, she has been called the “Patron Saint” for outsiders.
An outspoken advocate for the LGBT community and victims of bullying, she also serves the homeless in her hometown of San Francisco.
Credited with bringing the first Korean American family to television, Margaret Cho has simultaneously fought for recognition of the culture and heritage she loves while fighting against its traditional and conservative values.
Much of her “art” is controversial and provocative and in her world, no topic is taboo.
Her family inspires much of her comedy material and Margaret spares no barbs.
Margaret Cho joins Mike Walter in our Los Angeles studio to talk about growing up Cho, what fuels her activism and her recent “Psycho” comedy tour.
Asians in Hollywood – Telling an untold story
Byron Mann and Tzi Ma talk about the importance of bringing Chinese-American stories to mass audiences.
Chinese-American actors Byron Mann and Tzi Ma were both born in Hong Kong and are now Hollywood actors co-starring in AMC’s hit American television series, Hell on Wheels, a contemporary western.
Byron Mann plays the role of “Chang,” a powerful businessman and the villain on the series. Mann has starred in films such films as Red Corner and The Corruptor and the Asian-American indie film Jasmine. He’s recently been cast in The Big Short to play opposite Brad Pitt, Christian Bale, Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling.
Tzi Ma is a veteran actor and has played a wide variety of roles in everything from movies such as Rush Hour and Million Dollar Arm to television hits like 24: Live Another Day. He’s joining us to talk about his Hell on Wheels character, “Tao,” a highly-educated Chinese man whose good English makes him invaluable to the railroad company.
Hell On Wheels is dedicating its fifth and final season to telling the story of the significant Chinese contribution made to building America’s Transcontinental Railroad during the 1860’s and is doing so, for the first time, in television history.
Byron and Tzi join Mike Walter in our Los Angeles studio to give us insight into the importance of bringing Chinese-American stories to mass audiences.
Andrew and Peggy Cherng: The Panda Express explosion
Andrew and Peggy Cherng talk about the key to their successful Chinese fast food restaurant, Panda Express.
Husband and wife Andrew and Peggy Cherng are among the names on the Forbes list of the world’s billionaires and they’re not just partners in life, but in business, too.
They founded Panda Express in 1983 and since then, it’s become one of the world’s most recognizable Chinese fast food restaurant chains.
Andrew and Peggy immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan and Hong Kong. The couple first met in college at Baker University in Kansas, and then headed to the University of Missouri, where Andrew completed a master’s degree in applied mathematics and Peggy earned her doctorate degree in electrical engineering.
Today, they’re living the American dream as owners and operators of nearly 2,000 restaurants that have more than 25,000 associates. Next, they plan to further expand their brand internationally.
Andrew and Peggy join Mike in our Los Angeles studio to discuss the “Panda Way”, the key to their success and their philosophy of putting people before profit.
Toyz Are Us: Modern B-Boy dance
Geoffrey Chang, aka “Toyz Are Us” shows off his unique style of B-Boy dance.
Commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as “Break Dancing”, “B-Boying” or “Breaking” is a style of street dance that originated in New York City in the 1970’s.
While this art form has crossed generations and cultures, it remains one of the most popular forms of dance among urban youth.
Geoffrey Chang, also known as “Toyz Are Us”, has built a reputation as one of the most inspirational B-Boy dancers of his time.
He and his crew, “Lionz of Zion”, compete around the globe, infusing old school breaking techniques with a new and unique style.
Geoffrey shares his personal story with Full Frame and how he fell in love with Breaking.
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