They Call Us Bruce 135: They Call Us Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.

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 actress Peyton Elizabeth Lee, star of the Disney+ series Doogie Kameāloha, M.D., series creator and showrunner Kourtney Kang, and executive producer Melvin Mar. They talk about crafting a unique contemporary Hawaiian take on the beloved 90s teen doctor series.

Coronavirus Racism is Spreading Faster Than Coronavirus

Things to Know From Angry Asian America



What's spreading faster than coronavirus in the US? Racist assaults and ignorant attacks against Asians
Rampant ignorance and misinformation about the novel coronavirus, experts say, has led to racist and xenophobic attacks against fellow Americans or anyone in the U.S. who looks East Asian.

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A 'Fresh Off the Boat' Producer Recounts the ABC Comedy's Path to History
In a guest column for The Hollywood Reporter, ahead of Fresh Off The Boat's series finale, producer Melvin Mar reflects on six seasons of the show that helped usher in a new era of inclusion on the small screen.

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Jon Prasida, Shannon Dang & Eddie Liu To Co-Star in 'Kung Fu' Reboot
Jon Prasida, Shannon Dang and Eddie Liu have been cast as series regulars in the CW pilot Kung Fu, a reimagining with a female lead of the 1970s David Carradine-starring TV series. Prasida will play Ryan Chen, a quick-witted medical student who has to deal with the sudden return of his estranged older sister, Nicky. Dang will portray Althea Chen, Nicky’s larger-than-life older sister who’s newly engaged and on her way to planning her dream Chinese wedding. Liu will play Henry Chu, a martial arts instructor and Chinese art history buff who has instant chemistry with Nicky.

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H.E.R. Talks Black Music Icons & Cooks Authentic Filipino Dishes
Rising R&B star H.E.R. sits down for an in-depth interview to talk about her music, her career, and her Bay Area upbringing in a Black and Filipino household -- all while enjoying Filipino food at Kabayan Authentic in Queens.

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Los Angeles Roar Story Slam 2020
KoreanAmericanStory.org's ROAR Story Slam is a live storytelling competition where 6 finalists perform on stage presenting their unique, creative, and authentic Korean American story. Each finalist has six minutes to tell their stories, without the use of scripts nor props. It's happening Friday, February 28 at Dynasty Typewriter. I have the privilege of being one of the evening's judges. Hope to see you there!

'Fresh Off The Boat' to end after six seasons

The hour-long series finale is set to air on February 21.



It's official: Fresh Off The Boat will end this season. After six seasons, the ABC comedy -- the longest-running sitcom about an Asian American family in broadcast television history -- is coming to close next year.

Fresh Off the Boat Canceled After Six Seasons

The network reportedly informed Fresh Off The Boat's cast and crew this week that it would not be ordering further episodes, and the current season's 14th and 15th episodes would mark the end of the show's run.

It's officially "Fresh Off The Boat Day" in Los Angeles

The City of Los Angeles declares May 2 "Fresh Off the Boat Day" in honor of the hit ABC sitcom.



Los Angeles loves Fresh Off The Boat. May 2 has been officially declared "Fresh Off The Boat Day" in Los Angeles, as part of the city's celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

L.A. Mayor Declares May 2 'Fresh Off the Boat' Day

To kick off Heritage Month and "celebrate the rich diversity, identity, and cultures of the Asian Pacific American community," the City of Los Angeles declared May 2 "Fresh Off the Boat Day" in honor of the hit ABC sitcom.

The declaration ceremony took place Tuesday morning at Los Angeles City Hall, with remarks by Mayor Eric Garcetti, council member David Ryu, council President Herb Wesson Jr. Fresh Off The Boat star Randall Park and the show's executive producers, Nahnatchka Khan and Melvin Mar.

The celebration ended with a luncheon sponsored by Panda Express, of course.

Forrest Wheeler describing a pager will make you feel old

'Fresh Off The Boat' star says it's "like an iPhone." But without a screen or apps.


Photo Credit: Jenny Yang
As fans of Fresh Off The Boat are aware, much of the show's humor is derived from some good old-fashioned '90s nostalgia. But we sometimes forget that the show's young stars weren't even alive yet during the nineties.

On Tuesday at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, comedian Jenny Yang and I hosted a live screening of Fresh Off the Boat, featuring members of the show's cast and crew, including stars Forrest Wheeler, Ian Chen and Lucille Soong, writers Ali Wong and Sanjay Shah, and executive producer Melvin Mar.

During the Q&A, an audience member asked Forrest and Ian, who play brothers Emery and Evan Huang, what Fresh Off The Boat had taught them about 1990s pop culture. Forrest proceeded to describe what he had learned about pagers... and made us all feel some kind of way.

Check it out:

Hell Yeah: They're making Eddie Huang's memoir Fresh Off The Boat into a TV show

Nahnatchka Khan will write and produce the comedy for ABC.

Man, this news makes my day. If you enjoy the mad musings of New York chef/restaurateur/provacateur Eddie Huang, you'll be pleased to know that his memoir Fresh Off the Boat is being adapted into a TV sitcom. For real: Nahnatchka Khan Immigrant Family Comedy With Jake Kasdan Lands At ABC As Put Pilot.

Nahnatchka Khan, creator of now-canceled (but very funny) Don't Trust The B--, will write/executive produce the single-camera pilot for ABC. Based on Huang's own childhood, the show will be set in the 1990s and will focus on an immigrant Chinese family that moves to Orlando. (How can you look at that book cover and not laugh?)

I see much potential for hilarity and good stories. The trick will be striking the right balance of nostalgia, immigrant humor and Huang's unmistakably original voice.