Fresh Off The Boat- ABC's new sitcom about Chinese immigrant family

[Zeze]

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This show is getting some attention because it's a US' first Asian family oriented show on a big network (non-cable). Apparently it's based on this guy named Eddie Huang's memoir with same name. He owns a restaurant and I guess it's successful (a porkbun place in St. Marks, NYC).

I watched the first two episodes, some thoughts:

• It's a network sitcom- jokes are rather tame and it's not groundbreaking by any means
• Randall Park does okay, he's the guy played Kim Jong Un in The Interview. He plays the near EXACT same feel. His fake Asian accent is annoying (he has perfect 'American' accent IRL). There's no such Asian accent like that, not based on Chinese/Korean/Japanese nor SE languages.
• I thought the show would be pretty cringe-worthy with predictable lowbrow Asian immigrant jokes. And they were. However, it's endearing in a way. They're not forced and and used with discretion.
• A nice side benefit is that the show takes place in the 90's- all along with its nostalgia (90's gangsta rap). This is fun no matter what ethnicity the viewers are.
• Constance Wu (the wife) is actually smoking hot, even in those fob clothes. Actually, they make her hotter in a fetish way.:wub:
• The oldest kid steals it and carries the show. He's literally the Bart Simpson on the show. He genuinely made me laugh couple times.
  
  
  
  
  

 

[SunnyD]

So... Blackish with Asian people?

Looks like TV writers are running out of ideas now too.

 

[Zeze]

So... Blackish with Asian people?

Looks like TV writers are running out of ideas now too.

Except this is a first for Asians.

We've had tons of Black family sitcoms all the way from Cosby Show.

Fresh Prince, Family Matters, Moesha, Everybody Hates Chris, etc.

 

[rudeguy]

So... Blackish with Asian people?

Looks like TV writers are running out of ideas now too.

Pretty sure they ran out of ideas around the time of Full House. Now its just the same shows over and over again. TV sucks. Big time.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Wonder if there is a Hispanic show waiting to be green lit hinging on the success of this one?

 

[Zeze]

Wonder if there is a Hispanic show waiting to be green lit hinging on the success of this one?

Don't forget the failed Indian one. Although this is not family based and probably riding off of The Office's success.

 

[SunnyD]

Wonder if there is a Hispanic show waiting to be green lit hinging on the success of this one?

I think they already did that last year.

And they did one with an alien family too a year or two ago (and I'm not talking about 3rd Rock, I'm talking about a similar "family" sitcom featuring aliens in suburbia).

Hollywood: Throwing shit against the wall until it sticks since 18xx.

 

[rudeguy]

Wonder if there is a Hispanic show waiting to be green lit hinging on the success of this one?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310460/

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Except this is a first for Asians.

Except....it's not.

 

[inachu]

Margaret Cho had the first asian tv show.

 

[rudeguy]

Except....it's not.

OP is currently hiding under his desk, dodging bullets from a workplace shooter. He doesn't have time to Google!

 

[Zeze]

Except....it's not.

Oooo thanks.

 

[master_shake_]

i was just thinking last night that i wanted an asian version of malcolm in the middle.

looks like the same filming style too.

at least it's not "reality" tv.

 

[Rakehellion]

Except this is a first for Asians.

We've had tons of Black family sitcoms all the way from Cosby Show.

Fresh Prince, Family Matters, Moesha, Everybody Hates Chris, etc.

Except those attempted to tackle real-world issues and weren't just overtly racist. This show is more like a white-cop-black-cop movie.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Oooo thanks.

It was a terrible show, which I'm sure this will be as well. Someone mentioned Blackish earlier -- that show is awful as well.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Margaret Cho had the first asian tv show.

Yep, and it was really, really, REALLY bad. At least the lady in this one is about 1000x hotter than Margaret Cho.

 

[rudder]

Wonder if there is a Hispanic show waiting to be green lit hinging on the success of this one?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070975/

EDIT: Rudeguy beat me to it... but this one is older.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070975/

EDIT: Rudeguy beat me to it... but this one is older.

Yeah, I can vaguely remember that show being on TV.

 

[werepossum]

Yep, and it was really, really, REALLY bad. At least the lady in this one is about 1000x hotter than Margaret Cho.

Exactly. This continues in that same vein of badness. They are the stereotype's stereotypes. Except Constance Wu is smokin' hot AND truly beautiful. Slimmed down naked Margaret Cho is hot, but not Wu-beautiful.

Hmm, I may have coined a word. Anybody up for Wutiful?

 

[rh71]

the parents don't look nearly fobbish enough... the hair & makeup on the woman is too well done and the husband needs a worse haircut.

Both born Americans... are there no actors that fit this role?

This guy is the best asian actor on American dramas I've seen: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002245/ He was born in HK but it does say he was raised in NYC though.

 

[Phokus]

It's asian jim!

 

[JM Aggie08]

I actually found this show fairly funny.

What's with the shitty tumblr .gifs, OP?

 

[drbrock]

Agree with OP for the most part. I don't think it is ground breaking but I think it has a good mix of jokes. I can't comment on the accent too much but it does feel like I am watching the Interview again when the father is onscreen. The first episode went to thuggish with the oldest boy for me. The second episode found the right mix. Mother is a smoke show. They dress her down enough to fit in but she kinda stands out.

My current fav family show is the Goldbergs. If you grew up in the 80's it can't be missed. The recent Optimus Prime episode hit home hard lol.

This fits in nicely. If they would just get rid of "The Middle" I would be so happy.

 

[SunnyD]

Wonder if there is a Hispanic show waiting to be green lit hinging on the success of this one?

There already was a "pretty successful" one that had its time.

 

[maddogchen]

i liked it.

"A white guy and an Asian guy bonding over a Black rapper..." says the black kid left out...
LOL

Although the mom's constant nagging is getting on my nerves. I might stop watching because of that.