American Broadcasting Company Gets “Fresh Off The Boat”

The saying has been used frequently, usually not in the most friendly circumstances. But one of America’s biggest television networks is banking that the somewhat controversial phrase will gain them a new audience, money, and notability.

The Disney-owned ABC Network is set to release a new sitcom next year that has already people talking simply because of its title. “Fresh Off The Boat” will tell the all-too-familiar story of what it’s like to pursue the American dream. It’ll do that through the eyes of an Asian-American family that has just recently moved to another part of America. As you could expect (or even relate to), the hardships that come for being “FOB” aren’t easy.

The series will take a satirical approach to telling that story, though. Taking inspiration from the memoir by Asian-American chef Eddie Huang, the episodes will chronicle the tale of the Wongs as they adjust to the new environment. As you’ll see in the trailer above, that tale includes lots of Asian stereotypes if the title wasn’t enough!

Even so, “Fresh Off The Boat” is nothing new when it comes to using satire of a race as a means of entertainment, but very new when doing so with Asian Americans. The success of previous shows like “The Cosby Show” and other sitcoms might just be what all races of America want to laugh and perhaps even learn more about. If so, ABC would have gained a minority audience, more advertisers dollars, and the first network in nearly 20 years to have aired a minority comedy.

“Fresh Off The Boat” is currently a mid-season replacement and therefore does not have a time slot or firm premiere date, but is expected to air sometime in January 2015.

UPDATE 12/29/14: ABC has given “Fresh Off The Boat” a series premiere date of February 10!

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We’ll have more stories surrounding the upcoming ABC series here on DisneyExaminer leading up to the series premiere!

Will you be watching “Fresh Off The Boat”? Why? If you’re Asian-American, do you enjoy watching shows that make fun of your own culture? If you’re aren’t, why would/wouldn’t you watch this sitcom? Tell us in the comments.