They Call Us Bruce - Episode 4: They Call Us Andi Mack

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



Greetings, podcast listeners! We are back with Episode 4 of our recently launched podcast They Call Us Bruce. Each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

This week, we welcomed Lilan Bowden, who plays Bex on the new Disney Channel series Andi Mack. We talk about the show's refreshing, un-Disney-like take on family, and why it's important to see yourself represented onscreen. And my choice for "Bad" kid's TV show is controversial. Listen here:

There's a very un-Disney-like twist at the center of 'Andi Mack'

Watch the premiere episode of the Disney Channel's upcoming new series.



Hey, look! Asians on TV! Andi Mack, the highly-anticipated new Disney Channel series from the creator of Lizzie McGuire, adds to the growing tally of Asian American families on television, with a great cast that includes Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Lilan Bowden and Lauren Tom.

But after the watching the wonderful premiere episode, which is now available in its entirety online, it's pretty clear that this is unlike any Asian American family we've seen on TV before. I loved it.

The coming-of-age series centers around Andi (Lee) as she's about to celebrate her 13th birthday. However, when her adventurous, motorcycle-riding older sister Bex (Bowden) returns home with the hope of getting her life together, Andi's life is turned upside down and she is left questioning everything she's ever known.

The performances -- particularly from Lee and Bowden -- are charming as hell and the writing is sharp. Sure, this is a youth-oriented show, and a few of the zingy one-liners. wise-cracking best friends and boy-crush subplot all reflect that. And yes, it's noteworthy that the show centers on a biracial Asian American family. But ultimately, the driving force of the story is the atomic reveal that gets dropped in the middle of the premiere.

See it for yourself. Watch the full first episode here:

First Look at Disney Channel's 'Andi Mack'

Starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Lilan Bowden



Hey, look! Another Asian American family on television! Andi Mack, the upcoming new Disney Channel series from the creator of Lizzie MacGuire, stars Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Lilan Bowden as sisters.

The single-camera coming-of-age series centers around Andi (Lee) as she's about to celebrate her 13th birthday. However, when her capricious older sister Bex (Bowden) returns home with the hope of getting her life together, Andi's life is turned upside down and she is left questioning everything she's ever known.

Here's the first super-brief teaser trailer promo thing for Andi Mack:

Disney Channel picks up family series 'Andi Mack'

Another Asian American family joins the airwaves. By Jes Vu.



Looks like another Asian-American family will be making its way to a television near you. Andi Mack, a new family series from the creator of Lizzie McGuire, has just been picked up by the Disney Channel.

'Andi Mack' Comedy From 'Lizzie McGuire' Creator Picked Up To Series By Disney Channel

Andi Mack is a "single-camera family series centers around Andi (Lee) as she's about to celebrate her 13th birthday. However, when her capricious older sister Bex returns home with the hope of getting her life together, Andi's life is turned upside down and she is left questioning everything she's ever known."