Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
There's a lot that is riding on the success of ABC's latest series Fresh Off the Boat. While its late in the season debut wouldn't suggest so, the taboo of having a sitcom lead entirely by an Asian-American family is still an unfortunately foreign concept to mainstream TV. With the notion that society has become more progressive, it seems odd to throw very little focus on a particular struggle. Thankfully, the series doesn't have enough pitfalls in the first two episodes to really feel like it had to live up to any apologies and instead follows the Huang family as they move from New York to Florida because the father (Randall Park) wanted to open a wild west restaurant. With the story being an autobiographical portrait of Eddie's (Hudson Yang) in the 90's, there's a lot that feels both honest and striking about the series so far.
While the story feels very rooted in Asian culture, the story is more generalized in the assimilation of a family entering a new city. Yes, there's some explicit intolerance from others, but the series isn't rooted in directly expressing these problems. Instead, they tell the story of how Eddie tries to live his life as a normal kid. Of course, by normal this means being an Asian kid with a super strict mother (Constance Wu) and a fascination with rap music that he feels embodies his struggle as an outcast. The only confusing piece is that the story takes place in the 90's while not feeling distinctly so. If it wasn't for occasional references, the show would feel rather modern.
In fact, what gives the show immediate edge is its ability to not go where the popular notions of Asian TV archetypes would go. When Eddie assaults a fellow student for insulting him, his parents are more upset by him not defending his brother than the actual crime. There's a sense of honor that goes deeper than violent outbursts. Even then, as much as the show is about pride, it is also about trying to understand the American way; a moment most evident early on when Eddie takes his mother to buy Lunchables at a grocery store that she claims looks like a hospital. What's interesting is that while the assimilation story isn't new, it's the subtle things that give the show charm. From how food plays a societal role to work politics, the show manages to be inherently Asian without relying on stereotypes. Maybe the characters are a little too whitewashed for the sake of TV (I choose not to comment), but it feels more informing of the characters trying to associate with American culture.
Most of all, the show is just a very solid sitcom in the mold that ABC is unfortunately too reliant on. It blends too much with other shows such as The Goldbergs and Black-ish because of this and while it isn't necessarily a problem, it doesn't give the show an edge. It may help to provide some long term success, but with the show moving to Tuesdays next week, there is a sense that the show is going to have an uphill battle. While majority of audiences are currently discussing the politics behind the use of racial slur "chink" in the first episode, it does raise an interesting debate on if this show will improve the chances of Asian-based sitcoms to be on major broadcasting networks sooner than later.
Of course, the show just works on its own. From the rap-oriented soundtrack that plays the familiar hits (Danny Brown even does the theme song for some reason) to the small character moments, the show feels like a rebellious spirit that has been awoken. While creator and basis Eddie Huang initially found issue with racial depictions (he also serves as the voice over), he has come to embrace the show as a chance to present Asians in a light that modern audiences don't. As someone who knows very little going in, I feel like the show managed to convey this authentically without forcefully suggesting the differences as a pejorative. Instead, it focused on character traits and reaped the humor from those pockets. Also with the subversive wit of Don't Trust the B in Apt. 23 creator Nahnatchka Khan giving a healthy dose of humor, the show is in good hands.
Between the first two episodes, Fresh Off the Boat manages to suggest that it is more than a gimmick meant to appeal to mass audiences. It doesn't treat Asian culture as sacred text that we'll never understand. Instead it is accessible and it paints the Huang family as humans. Maybe there's some obvious jabs here or there, but the show feels like its intentions are in the right places. Most of all, it's funny and different on a channel that seems to be nothing but generic novelty family shows. It has heart and I cannot wait to see if the show actually has a legacy other than being "that Asian family comedy."
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