Fresh off the Boat – A New Comedy on ABC

I think it’s fun to find new shows to watch. I don’t get to watch a lot of live TV, but luckily there is this thing called the internet that allows you to watch shows later.

A new show on ABC called Fresh Off the Boat  is a funny new comedy (I would say NOT kid friendly as there is some language!) You can catch Fresh Off the Boat Tuesdays at 8/7 central.

It’s the ’90s and 12 year old, hip-hop loving Eddie (Hudson Yang) just moved to suburban Orlando from DC’s Chinatown with his parents (Randall Park and Constance Wu). It’s culture shock for his immigrant family in this comedy about pursuing the American Dream. Fresh Off the Boat is based on Chef Eddie Huang’s memoir Fresh Off the Boat.

The fun thing about Fresh Off the Boat is that it is so nostalgic, depending on when you grew up. I’m a child of the 80’s and lived my teenage years in the 90’s, so that’s totally my decade. From the music, pop culture references, hobbies and clothes, I’m loving the “throw back” that Fresh Off The Boat offers.

From a different perspective, Asian Americans are so excited about a show that represents their culture. I’ve heard from countless Asian American bloggers that they are so excited to have a show on TV to give a voice to their culture, struggles and life. I’m happy that Fresh Off The Boat can open that dialogue and represent a group that doesn’t often have this spotlight.

While in LA we had the opportunity to interview Kourtney Kang (co-executive producer) and Nahnatchka Khan (executive producer) on Fresh Off The boat. It was fun to hear the story of how the show came to be. Nahnatchka was sent the book “Fresh Off The Boat” which is the real Eddie Huang’s memoir. Nahnatchka thought the small part in the book where the family moves to Orlando to open a Steak House would make a great television show. The idea was pitched to different networks and ABC got it.

Both Kourtney and Nahnatchka said that while the story as a whole with the Huang family moving to Orlando is based on true events, the daily happenings of the family are from the creators of the show. The writers and producers all offered up bits and pieces of their lives for inclusion in the show. The stories come from the people writing it. I think that is really cool.

They both talked about since the show is a collaboration, most people can relate to it. It isn’t just about an Asian family in a predominantly white area of Florida. Ton of people can relate to being different, or not fitting in for one reason or another. One of my favorite things Kourtney Kang said was

That’s what I think is so neat about the show, is because even though it’s like this sort of like Asian thing, it’s really about this like broader sense of you know, not feeling so much like you’re a part of things.

I think that’s one of the great things that Nahnatchka did in developing the show is that there’s so many entry points and it’s all based in something so real that like everybody feels like they don’t fit in at some point for some reason.

Since I can’t obviously relate to the Asian aspect of the show, I can relate in other ways.

They also talked about working with kids. There was a lot to learn and figure out with working with kids. They have their “pumpkin hour” when they are tired and hungry and just done working so they have to film within those hours. They said that the boys bring their unique perspective to the script because they react or say their lines in a different way than what the producers were thinking. The boys do a great job!

Interviewing Ian Chen (Evan Huang) and Forrest Wheeler (Emery Huang) about their parts was so fun. They are such cute kids. Only being 8 and 10 their answers were truthful and darling. Though both have had prior experience with acting in commercials and making appearances in other shows, they were both so excited to have their “own” show.

We first asked the boys what their favorite part of being on TV is. Forrest said he likes to see himself on TV but can’t really believe it’s him. He is still getting used to seeing his face on the TV screen. Ian said he likes being on the set and playing after they are done filming.

When asked about money both boys said that they spent their first check on a college fund (smart kids!).

Both Ian and Forrest said they were a little like their characters on TV except Forrest said he doesn’t have girlfriends and Ian isn’t a tattletale (though he did admit that he doesn’t have anyone to tell on because his little brother is so small and doesn’t do anything.)

It was so much fun to speak with the boys. They had a lot to say and were excited to be in the spotlight for the evening.

Fresh Off The Boat can be found on ABC on Tuesdays and 8/7 central!