Northern FanCon already secured a lot of star power for its inaugural year. They have iconic prime time star power (William Shatner), some culture-defining movie comedy with a tinge of sexiness (Tia Carrere), some sci-fi street cred (Jewel Staite, Michael Hogan, John DeLance), some head-turning viral advertising (Isaiah Mustafa), some teen culture vampire content (Justin Rain), and now they have added some politically incorrect stand-up comedy.
Peter Chao has, like Russell Peters and Don Burnstick, made a career out of lampooning his own ethnic background. He makes a strong point of stressing that he never crosses the racism line, but he isn't shy about poking fun at the Chinese side of his Canadianism. He is a fictional representation of Oriental culture in western society.
Chao is the recurring character invented by comedian Davin Tong, a stand-up comic and a graduate of Vancouver Film School. Tong portrays Peter Chao on stage and in a number of crazily popular YouTube sketches (this kind of performance is called a video blog or vlog for short). In each one, the Peter Chao character rants about different societal features in his put-on "Engrish" accent, aggressive speaking manner, and a point of view that straddles progressive youth culture and old-country conservatism.
Some of his vlogs have tackled public displays of affection, impolite restaurant etiquette, and many others.
Tong will bring Peter Chao to life with a personal appearance at CN Centre during Northern FanCon.
"We chose Peter Chao to broaden the fan base," said FanCon organizer Norm Coyne. "YouTube sensations often have just as much relevance as our big screen stars and a unique access to the younger audience who can enjoy their content immediately. Some of Chao's YouTube bits have millions of views."
Tong was born in New Brunswick but now lives in the Lower Mainland, giving FanCon builders a vlog star close at hand. No matter what your cultural background, it is not a Chinese caricature the audience is left with, it is the common experience of anyone connected to newly arrived families in Canada from foreign cultures. It is through Peter Chao that Canada can assess its value system compared to anyone's root-country traditions.
Some of those things are applaudable, some are vomitous, much of it is uncomfortable and through satirical Peter Chao it is boiled in funny.
