The End of an Era for a Forever Historical Show: About “Fresh Off the Boat”

Every now and then, I expand my dialogue about storytelling by going beyond the boundaries of books and out into the mediums of TV and film. I do so by doing these analysis pieces once in a while about a TV show or film that has reached a significant time in its history (i.e. series premiere, series finale, film release, anniversary of a release, etc.).

Five years ago, I started doing these various analyses on different TV shows and films of the past and present that have been part of my life to some capacity, and that all started with the ABC series, “Fresh Off the Boat;” the first sitcom in over 20 years to center on an Asian American family. Today, following its series finale last night, I am using this time to look back on its evolution over the last six seasons, and how the media landscape has changed along the way.

(WARNING: There will be minor spoilers from throughout the series, including last night’s finale.)

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A Time for Filmmaking

A year ago, I blogged the day before last year’s Academy Awards, in speculation of what’s to come from that year’s ceremony. This time around, I’m coming to you nearly a week after this year’s ceremony, and I feel surprisingly rejuvenated from both that and some recent events in my life and beyond.

What Did I Miss?: September 2019

Published Works

Actor Will Yun Lee Has Been Making Strides in Hollywood For Two Decades – For the Center for Asian American Media, I spoke with the “Good Doctor”/”Altered Carbon” star on his journey as an Asian American actor in Hollywood.

‘Abominable’ Brings All the Charm in This Magical, Heartfelt Adventure – For The Nerds of Color, I give a spoiler-free overview of my thoughts from watching this upcoming Dreamworks and Pearl Studio co-production.

Review of Anime Supremacy by Mizuki Tsujimura – For Goodreads, I go over my thoughts on this dynamic novel that gives a glimpse at the chaotic anime industry.

Review of Frankly in Love by David Yoon – For Goodreads, I discuss my thoughts about this heartfelt, YA romance debut novel.

How Disney’s ‘So Weird’ Deepened My Connection to My Filipino Side – For The Nerds of Color, I dive into how this 90’s Disney Channel series has had an unexpected effect on me this past year.

Review of Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli – For Goodreads, I give my latest impressions on a novel I grew up with, ahead of the film adaptation’s release.

Christopher Sean Talks About Being the First Asian American Lead of “Star Wars” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I dive into this overlooked first for the “Star Wars” universe, as I speak with the lead actor of “Star Wars Resistance.”

Other News

Critics are calling “Abominable” “absolutely gorgeous” – My review of “Abominable” was quoted by Dreamworks Animation for promo leading up to the film’s release.

Thoughts About Young Adult Fiction REVISITED

Young adult (YA) fiction: This is a subject I’ve been wanting to revisit for quite some time. After spending part of this past week reading a favorite, Jerry Spinelli’s Stargirl, I felt that now is just as good of a time to finally write about this topic again, after previously writing about it over five years ago. After all, thoughts and opinions about certain subject matter can change overtime, the more you learn and grow. In the case of YA fiction, my thoughts and feelings towards it have definitely morphed.

The One About Screenwriter Adele Lim

So this news is a little over a week old, but for the sake of its context, it’s something I wanted to dive into and dissect, while providing my personal take on it. After all, one of my long-term goals is to become a professional screenwriter myself, much like the bad-ass that is screenwriter Adele Lim.

What Did I Miss?: August 2019

Published Works

The Timing and Timeliness of ‘Hamilton’ – For The Nerds of Color, I dive into my experience of finally getting to see Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical. (This is an altered cross-post of my post that was originally published here.)

Review of The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang – For Goodreads, I manage to write and present a quick overview of my thoughts on the second novel of this page-turning fantasy trilogy.

From “Greetings from Bury Park” to “Blinded by the Light”: The Making of a British Pakistani’s Cinematic Personal Story – For the Center for Asian American Media, I go in-depth on the making of this feel-good, motivating film, by way of conversation with the writer-director and writer.

The Significance of Iko Uwais in ‘Wu Assassins’ – For The Nerds of Color, I point out something special about the lead character of this fantasy-crime-martial arts Netflix series.

Review of Greetings from Bury Park by Sarfraz Manzoor – For Goodreads, I go over my thoughts about the memoir that served as the inspiration for the film, “Blinded by the Light.”

Other News

Chicago theater: ‘The Band’s Visit,’ ‘The Great Leap’ and more previews, openings Aug. 30-Sept. 5 – My Q&A with playwright Lauren Yee was quoted in this listing for her play, “The Great Leap,” in the Chicago Sun-Times. (To read the full interview with her, you can read it here.)

What Did I Miss?: June 2019

Published Works

Spider-Man, Pokémon, and Star-Crossed Lovers: Mixed Race Characters Take the Lead – For my debut piece for The Nerds of Color, I do an analysis on three different films released over the last six months that feature mixed race characters and interracial relationships front and center.

Matt Braly on Bringing Thai American Representation to Disney Channel’s “Amphibia” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I speak with the creative mind of Disney Channel’s upcoming animated series on how childhood trips to Bangkok served as the inspiration for the show.

Thoughts and Reactions to Watching ‘The Matrix’ For the First Time – For The Nerds of Color, I go beyond Keanu Reeves’ brief role in “Always Be My Maybe,” as I watch and react to one of his more iconic roles from the last 20 years.

What Did I Miss?: May 2019

Published Works

Review of This Is Paradise: Stories by Kristiana Kahakauwila – For Goodreads, I give my general impression on this debut collection that gives a very real look at Hawaii.

Actor Charles Melton Discusses Filming “The Sun Is Also a Star” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I sit down with the “Riverdale” star as he gives me a deep analysis of his role in the upcoming teen drama.

Review of Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen – For Goodreads, I give a brief rundown of my thoughts on this debut novel that will surely tug on the heartstrings.

Actress Nichole Bloom Discusses Her Journey to “Superstore” at CAAMFest 37 – For the Center for Asian American Media, I did a cover story on the conversation with one of the lead actors of the NBC hit series on how she got her start and her journey in acting.

The Stars and Director of “Always Be My Maybe” on Creative Collaboration and Love for San Francisco – For the Center for Asian American Media, I sit down with Ali Wong, Randall Park, and Nahnatchka Khan to discuss the making of this upcoming Netflix rom-com.

Review of I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn – For Goodreads, I go over my general impressions of this author’s first venture into the YA genre.

Appearances

defining the fil-am identity with lauren lola – I was recently interviewed for a feature profile for Asienne Magazine. I talk about living life as a mixed race Filipino American, my journey as a writer, and my desire to collaborate with Wong Fu Productions on a short film one day.

“Thank you for coming to my TED talk.”

I’ve done quite a few public events in the past that are typical for an author. I’ve done readings and I’ve also participated in a few book fairs. However, never have I done a presentation about my work as a writer before, in the format of a guest lecture for a college class.

What Did I Miss?: March 2019

Published Works

Playwright Lauren Yee on New Worlds and Inspirations – For the Center for Asian American Media, I interview this rising prolific playwright on how she gets her ideas for her wide variety of plays, the origin story of “The Great Leap,” and her thoughts about what it’s like to be a working playwright where diversity in the performing arts is no longer just lip service.

Review of I am Jake by Jake Zyrus – For Goodreads, I go over my shell shock and praise for this very honest memoir from one of the Philippines’ (and the world’s) best music artists.