Fresh off the Boat

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Seasons: 4
Years: 2015 - 
Characters: Louis Huang, Jessica Huang, Eddie Huang, Emery Huang, Evan Huang and Grandma Huang
Quick Synopsis:A Taiwanese family makes their way in America during the 1990s. 
Creator: Nahnatchka Khan 


Pilot Episode 

The sitcom opens with the family in the car on their way to their new home, and also uses voice over of the main character explaining what is happening. Immediately we see that the oldest boy is dressing up like an American boy to avoid being Asian, and the mum is very strict. 

It establishes that they moved from from Washington's China Town to Florida for the dad to open a cowboy-themed steakhouse which is not having a successful start. The dad is shown as the more care free type by not being up tight like his wife and his happy go lucky attitude about his business and their new adventures. 

Set in the 90s, the sitcom then shows the main character Eddie (who does the voice over as well), being picked on in his school for being Chinese and also being mean about his Chinese looking food (noodles). This establishes that we will be embarking on Eddies journey of trying to fit into the all white school. 

The culture difference between the family and the people in Florida is shown with a flashback with the mum shopping in China town and arguing with people compared to the calm atmosphere in the supermarket. likewise, when the parents get called into the principals office, the parents wont admit that their child is wrong, or accept the principals attitude, "like white people would", but instead threaten the principal and have a go at him, being your stereotypical loud, strict and tough Asian mum. 

Why is it successful? 
The difference of this sitcom and how it gets away with using racist jokes is that its being told from the inside out. The Huang family are the ones who are always telling the story instead of being picked on and laughed at. There is also the danger of falling into stereotype territory. But with the in-depth characterisation of making Jessica a strong character and the culturally rooted characterisation of her reuslted in Jessica becoming one of the shows favourite. 

The writers of the sitcom are diverse and abel to connect with specifics of the Huang story. Sheng Wang is a stand up comedian who grew up as the only Asian in Texas in the mid 90s and Sanjay Shah and Indian American whose dad owned a Burger King in Sacramento. Likewise the creator of the sitcom, Nahnatchka Khan, relates to the shows. She calls it "the bridge generation", where you have  very traditional upbringing and wanting to be part of the latest trend.  

Although the heart of the sitcom is on Eddie there is a sub plot on his mum Jessica where the viewers also find themselves agreeing with her and being sympathetic when she fails to understand the entertainment value of America, with Eddie worshipping Ol' Dirty Bastordor. It gives the audience a different perspective of a family sitcom. Khan also wanted to create a a screen representation of Asian-Americans.

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