They Call Us Bait, Bridgerton, Hamlet, The Pitt, and More

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

What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) 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.

In this episode, we welcome back our best pals in podcasting, cultural critic/journalist/educator Rebecca Sun and Dino-Ray Ramos of DIASPORA, to re-connect, reset, and share what they've been watching/consuming/experiencing in pop culture and beyond. They discuss, among other things, Asians in the Regency romance of Bridgerton; the possibility of a brown James Bond in Riz Ahmed's offbeat comedy Bait; the audacity of multiple Asians cast members as health care workers on The Pitt; and how far pretty privilege can get you on The Traitors. Also: Jeff finally watched Pop Star Academy. This episode is sponsored by Chinese Republicans, a new play from Roundabout Theatre Company.

Olympians Speak Out Against Trump's "Loser" Remarks

And Other Items of Note from Angry Asian America.

Chloe Kim, Eileen Gu speak out after President Trump calls Olympian 'a loser'

A day after President Donald Trump called the Olympian Hunter Hess "a real loser" over the freestyle skier's comments about representing the United States, two of the biggest stars at these Winter Olympics, snowboarder Chloe Kim and freestyle skier Eileen Gu, have spoken out in a Games that is becoming ever more politically charged. As a general rule, whenever Trump goes out of his way to call someone a "loser," they are usually, in fact, quite the opposite.

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Councilmember Nithya Raman to run for L.A. mayor, challenging onetime ally Karen Bass

Nithya Raman has entered the Los Angeles mayoral race in an eleventh-hour bid, challenging former ally Karen Bass in the June primary. The progressive councilmember announced mayoral run on Saturday, just three hours before the filing deadline for the June election and less than two weeks after endorsing Bass' reelection.

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A Hmong child bride who killed her husband years ago dreads her next ICE check-in

Nou served nearly seven years in prison for killing her husband in self-defense, after suffering years of abuse. She pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter, her green card was taken away, and she has to regularly check in with ICE. Now 50 and disabled, she lives in fear that she'll be deported under the current surge in immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

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How Yerin Ha Became the Belle of Bridgerton's Ball

Yerin Ha never thought she’d get top billing when she sent her audition tape. "When my agent told me it was for Bridgerton, I thought it was a supporting role. Then I realized, oh no, this is for the lead. They’re going to cast an East Asian woman for the lead."

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The Rose: Come Back To Me

Hitting theaters this week: The Rose: Come Back to Me. Directed by Eugene Yi, the award-winning documentary feature follows the inspiring journey of The Rose -- the Korean alt-pop indie band who have quickly risen as one of Korea's most in-demand groups, captivating audiences worldwide with their soul-stirring, genre-blending sound.