(and Last?) Asian American Sitcom,” the author, Sarah Moon Cassinelli writes about a girl named Margaret Cho. While starring in an Asian American sitcom, Cho had not so pleasant experiences, such as being pushed to follow Asian stereotypes. While the show ultimately failed, Cho later wrote in her memoir,
I’m the One that I want, about who was actually being racist. Was it the audience who asked for authenticity by using stereotypes, or was it the person who reinforced the stereotypes by following them on the show. In her memoir, Cho answers saying “
the real racism is wrapped up
in the audience’s expectation of an “authentic” Asian American family, especially in consideration to sitcom comedy (132).”
2. The producers of the sitcom,
All-American Girl, wanted Cho to stress Asian American culture while being relate-able to the audience, leading to physical and mental unhealthiness. Cassinelli writes, “
The show’s demands are also made visible on the body of Margaret Cho, and have subsequently influenced her body of work (133).” The producers had requested Cho to lose weight, saying “
I don’t care what you have to do. We have two weeks before we shoot the pilot (133).”
3. A key term from the article is “model minority,” which was also brought up in a previous reading (Week 2 – Assimilation). The model minority is “commonly associated with high academic achievements and upward socioeconomic mobility (138).” This is very similar to the idea of “model minority” from Assimilation, which was high educational achievement and living in good (white) neighborhoods. However, Cassinelli adds “obedience, self-control, and individualism” to the idea of model minority.
4. Reading this article reminded me of Panda Express, an Americanized Chinese food chain that no one would say is even close to authentic Chinese food. Most, if not all, the entrees served at Panda Express doesn’t even exist in China’s vast styles of dishes.
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