DisneyExaminer

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets
  • THE Hub Newsletter

Randall Park, Ken Jeong, and Chloe Bennet love that ABC is great at developing Asian American talent

  • by Jordan Poblete
  • in Disney + ABC Television · Other Disney
  • — 26 Apr, 2017
Randall Park (L), Ken Jeong (C), Chloe Bennet (R); Photo by David Yeh

East West Players (or EWP), the Asian American theater organization, held its annual gala awards dinner this past Monday night in Universal City, California. This year, EWP decided to honor three top Asian-American talent who just happen to have shows on the same major network.

Randall Park from “Fresh Off the Boat”, Ken Jeong from “Dr. Ken”, and Chloe Bennet from Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” were on hand to accept their visionary awards while speaking the praises of the network their current shows are on.

“A lot has changed so far as how the show was viewed.” Park told DisneyExaminer. “ABC took a risk and the first year of the show wasn’t all that pretty.” Park cited the backlash that the show got from criticisms of its title to what people thought of as stereotypical storylines.

He continued, “But the renewal of our show three times now signals that the network really have a pulse on exploring diversity among the risks. They benefits are mutual when you think about it.” Ratings for “Fresh Off the Boat” have held steady in popularity since the show’s debut back in 2015.

Jeong’s show, which has been renewed twice by ABC, credits his show’s success to Park’s show. “We have a lot of gratitude for Randall and “Fresh Off the Boat,” he said. “He paved the way for us to get picked up and keep going for two season now!”

While Bennet isn’t playing in a full scale Asian American sitcom, she is one of the female leads of one of ABC’s most successful shows that has ties to Disney’s most successful franchise. “ABC has given me a platform to show off who I am,” she said. “I never saw people who looked like me growing up on TV, but that’s happening now and I’m honored that I’m part of that change.”

All the honorees firmly believe that a large amount of progress has been made at improving the image of Asian Americans in Hollywood, but they also believe the intentional work must continue.

Bennet continued, “Success on TV is really inclusive of age and race, so when these opportunities come along, Asian American females should continue to take them!”

Park also emphasized that monetary support shouldn’t be the only way that networks like ABC should lend. “There value in using Asian American talent. I hope that networks continue that there’s value in us. If they don’t, it’s bad business,” Park said laughingly.

Learn more about the gala and the work of East West Players by visiting their website.

Our special thanks to EWP for allowing us to cover their gala!

print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related

Share

— Jordan Poblete

DisneyExaminer Founder + Publisher. Walt inspired Disneyland, Disneyland inspired DisneyExaminer. Catch me at Disneyland. Reach me at jordan@disneyexaminer.com or on Twitter @jordiepoblete

You may also like...

  • While the Marvel’s film universe expands, don’t forget about its new TV shows 13 Apr, 2016
  • Marvel’s Roadshow. [UPDATED] 24 Jan, 2014
  • Lang Lang chats Disney music, performing in Hollywood for his upcoming Disney+ special 13 Sep, 2023
  • The big faith of a Little Mermaid. [Jodi Benson Feature] 14 Sep, 2016
  • Previous story “Inside Out” filmmakers honored at film festival dedicated to Autism awareness
  • Next story Disney Imagineering wins theme park industry awards for Shanghai Disney Resort attractions
  • Today is

  • What’s Trending

    animation behind the scenes buena vista street business california adventure cars land christmas D23 expo DCA disney disney animation disney california adventure disney channel disney consumer products disneyexaminer disney interactive disneyland disneyland resort disney movie disney parks disney parks and resorts downtown disney exclusive food frozen FYI lucasfilm main street USA marvel marvel studios movie review new pixar review spoiler free star wars technology the force awakens walt disney walt disney animation studios walt disney company walt disney imagineering walt disney parks and resorts walt disney studios walt disney world
  • News Archive

  • Home
  • Disney + ABC Television
  • Randall Park, Ken Jeong, and Chloe Bennet love that ABC is great at developing Asian American talent
  • Hiya, Pal

    DisneyExaminer is a premier independent online magazine that takes a closer look at all things Disney.

    Founded and lovingly made in Orange County, California.

  • Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel

  • Search

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets
  • THE Hub Newsletter

© 2008 - 2022 DisneyExaminer. All rights reserved.

 

Loading Comments...