When the United States government shut down for about two weeks in October 2013, Tony Chou was studying professional stand-up shows in the country, and one night in Washington he got the chance to perform.

Banners he saw during the day about the Tea Party, heavily embroiled in the shutdown, gave him an idea for what he could talk about, given that tea is a familiar drink for the bilingual stand-up comedian from China.

"How amazing that you know I (a Chinese) don't like coffee but tea, and hung out the banner to welcome me," he said, to appreciative laughter from the audience.