They Call Us Bruce 150: They Call Us RISE

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, recorded on the eve of our long-anticipated book release, we welcome co-author Philip Wang and project manager Jes Vu, our co-conspirators on RISE: A Pop History of Asian America From the Nineties to Now. We discuss some exclusive behind-the-scenes details on the making of the book, including The Good, The Bad and The WTF.

They Call Us Bruce 117: They Call Us House of Ho

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 hos 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 producer/friend Jes Vu and Salon culture editor Hanh Nguyen to discuss the new HBO Max reality show House of Ho. We talk about actual crazy rich Asians, family dysfunction, airing out your dirty laundry, and The Good, The Bad and The WTF of Asian Americans on reality television.

Q & A with Power Rangers' Ludi Lin

Chinese Canadian Ludi Lin powers up as Zack the Black Ranger. Interview by Jes Vu.



Power Rangers fans -- the wait is almost over! The new Power Rangers movie finally arrives in theaters this weekend. This film prides itself on its diversity of characters from race to sexuality; there's even a character on the autistic spectrum.

Among them, Chinese-born Canadian actor Ludi Lin is the "sex symbol" of the Power Rangers cast, no doubt about it. Taking on the mantle of bad boy Zack, the Black Power Ranger, Ludi is not just one, but one of two Asian actors in the main cast (the other being British Indian actor Naomi Scott who plays Kimberly the Pink Power Ranger). Fortunately, we had a chance to talk to Ludi about his unique upbringing and what it was like working on this iconic franchise.

Q & A with The OA's Ian Alexander

Trans teen actor debuts in the mysterious new Netflix series. Guest Post by Jes Vu.



In a time where representation is such a hot topic in Hollywood, Netflix's The OA does something few have done: cast an actual Asian transgender teenage boy as an Asian transgender teenage boy. Vietnamese-American teen Ian Alexander is one of multiple Asian actors in The OA's main cast alongside Filipino/Puerto Rican-American Brandon Perea and British Pakistani Riz Ahmed (in a recurring role). Continuing the spotlight from his response to a viral anti-trans photo, Ian makes his on-screen acting debut as Buck Vu in the newly-released show having been cast from an online open casting call in 2015.

Growing up in places including Japan, Hawai'i, and D.C. have helped shape Ian. The fifteen-year-old high school junior has had more experiences than most teenagers his age, and his passion knows no bounds. He's politically-vocal, a huge admirer of actors and filmmakers like Jen Richards (Her Story) and Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black) and relentless as a Marvel fanboy (he's "Team Bucky" for those who are curious). Ian had time to sit down and talk about his upbringing and the show (don't worry, there are no spoilers here).

Angry Reader of the Week: Jes Vu

"I may be secretly (or not so secretly) Canadian."



Hey, internet. It is time, once again, to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Jes Vu.