"Black-ish" and "Fresh Off the Boat" Have Brought New Diversity to ABC
Courtesy of Disney-ABC Domestic Distribution
Diversity in television is not a new concept, and it really shouldn’t be lauded this late in the game. Seriously, it’s 2015. It still seems pertinent to dole out congratulations to a show just for having diversity, in general, which is crazy. Some of the best shows on TV have diversity in their ensemble, because multiple voices make for great comedy, great depth in characters. A more pressing need in network television is familial comedies featuring minority voices, because networks are scared of not having white faces on our screens. Two of the best sitcoms of the last year have both been developed by ABC, and though completely different, each has a core message of familial strength.
“Black-ish” has gotten most of the attention from critics and audiences alike because it has had a full season, and is headed by the well-known actor Anthony Anderson. The praise has been great enough that Anderson has even been nominated for an Emmy for his performance, though the show itself deserves a couple of nominations as well. “Fresh Off the Boat,” started its run mired in controversy after its title caused those in the Asian-American community to call foul of its racially motivated title. It still had a lot going for it right off the bat: it’s headed by Randall Park, made infamous from his performance in “The Interview,” and it was created by Nahnatchka Khan of “Don’t Trust the B,” fame.
“Black-ish” (2014- ) Created by Kenya Barris.
This show is predominately influenced by “The Cosby Show,” as it shows seasoned professionals as parents, dealing with a larger brood, all while trying to fight against stereotypes and racial obstacles. This show has the same structure, but deals in its comedy in a completely different way. In a world that sometimes revolves under the pretense of a “post-racial” society, “Black-ish” pokes fun at everyone via social commentary. It’s sharp, edgy, and always current, to the point where it touches on subjects that many other shows either veer away from, or come at in explicit, awkward ways.
Though this is 2015, and white Americans are shortly to become the minority in this country, black voices are still not heard at the same volume as others. Though we have had shows depicting African-American families (“The Bernie Mac Show,” “My Wife and Kids,” “Moesha.”) they often don’t last as long on networks as other shows. What makes this show stand out is that there’s always a conversation about race, but it doesn’t overpower the complex, interesting characters that Barris has created. The ensemble in this show is truly amazing, and proves that there are talented child actors in this business. While Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross amaze as the parents, the children often blow me away with their non-stereotypical behavior. Marcus Scribner is an amazing Junior, quirky and nerdy, but in a subtle way. Marsai Martin and Miles Brown act way out of traditional six-year-old comfort zones, doing character work ill seen in most shows. Yara Shahidi’s character, Zoe, falls into trope territory on multiple occasions, but she pulls off the nonplussed popular sister better than her predecessors.
Great Child Actors on ABC's "Black-ish." Courtesy of ABC
Though there are a lot of traditional sitcom plot lines some episodes deal with subjects that most wouldn’t think would yield to comedy. In one episode Dre (Anderson) tries to prove to Junior that racism is still a heavy obstacle that most African-Americans have to overcome, almost every day. In another episode, Dre teaches his kids how good they have it compared to his childhood, which he spent mostly in poverty and strife. Each of these educates those who are unaware of these issues in the black community, while being funny. And for those thinking that race is the only issue tackled in this show, you are sorely wrong. Topics of episodes include: sexual education, mid-life crises, fighting with your mother-in-law, oversharing, and the bonds of family.
This show follows in the tradition of modern television shows depicting diverse voices (“Modern Family,” “Cristela,” “The Goldbergs”). Not only are these voices newer to traditional audiences, but feature quirky, often off-the-wall humor that inspires and invokes change.
“Fresh off the Boat.” (2015- ) Created by Nahnatchka Khan
Just like Khan’s last show, this has not been getting the credit it deserves. Maybe because it’s based off a memoir, of the same name, written by Eddie Huang, or because it’s set twenty years ago, people see it as a niche show. The last time an acclaimed show about the past was enacted was “The Wonder Years,” which specialized in dreamy, nostalgic wanderings of white fifties America. That show, this is not.
Like “Black-ish” a lot of the greatness associated with this show stems from the great ensemble cast. Randall Park is just the right amount of goofy and determined as the patriarch, Louis. A much more interesting and complex character is Constance Wu’s Jessica, who helms the family, often lectures her children, pushes for the best education, and runs on more than her own steam. The best lines of the show are often attributed to her character, and she holds the family structure together well with her astute conservatism and serious maternal instincts. The child actors are great, especially the youngest children, played by Forrester Wheeler and Ian Chen. They fight childish stereotypes, make witty banter, and play off Wu exceptionally well. Hudson Yang is our narrator, and constantly surprises as he embraces gangster culture, and always causes tension with his mother.
The cast of ABC's "Fresh Off the Boat." Courtesy of ABC
This show is somewhat unprecedented as there really haven’t been many, if any, shows centering on Asian-Americans. Of the shows put into production, most featured either bland or stereotypical Asian characters, including “Gung Ho,” “Ohara,” and the offensive “Kung Fu.” Weirdly enough this show will set a precedent for any Asian-American characters on television for the rest of time. It took sixty years to get to here, which is ridiculous when watching this amazingly well put together, funny, edgy, bit of comedy.
Subjects of episodes mostly return to the overarching story of the family picking up from their Chinatown home and moving to the ‘burbs of Florida, or the restaurant that they now own. This fish out of water angle perfectly endears the audience, who probably couldn’t understand characters set so far out of their depth, while also educating them on how differences make us unique and interesting. If you’re afraid the show is toned down by network angst you can be assured that is not the case, as Wu’s character often throws their heritage into the mix by making her children appreciate their differences and trying to keep them all from assimilating. Most of the show deals in cultural issues like Asian stereotypes, assimilation, and diversity. Other episode subjects include: sibling rivalry, making new friends, sexual harassment in the workplace, getting your first job, and first crushes.
The best shows have diversity, because they best parallel real life. Show creators like Bill Lawrence, Jenji Kohan, Jennie Snyder Urman, and Silvio Horta have created shows with diverse ensembles, and they are some of the best instances of television comedy in the last ten years. Hopefully more voices will be heard in the coming years, including women, minority, and LGBT ones. These two shows, on one network, only represent part of television viewing, but the fact that they are praised and beloved goes to show that the need is much greater than network execs realize. With all the failed pilots that get made every year, I hope that more and more of them are given the tools to succeed.
