TV on DVD

Quirky Fresh Off the Boat pokes fun at stereotypes

DVD cover of Fresh Off The Boat
DVD cover of Fresh Off The Boat

What is it? Fresh Off the Boat, Season 1, 13 episodes on two discs from 20th Century Fox

When? Now

How much? $29.98

What does that title mean? It's a reference to immigrants. Main character 11-year-old Eddie Huang (Hudson Yang) is a couple of generations removed from that status, but his family is still very much wrapped up in its Taiwanese culture. Well, maybe not Eddie. He's more interested in hip-hop and Shaquille O'Neal.

The year is 1995 and much to Eddie's dismay, his optimistic dad, Louis (Randall Park), decides to move the family from their Chinatown home in Washington to Orlando, Fla. He has opened up a Cattleman's Ranch steakhouse and though it's struggling, he sees it as a great opportunity for the family.

Eddie's little brothers, ladies' man Emery (Forrest Wheeler) and golden boy Evan (Ian Chen), have no trouble fitting in. Grandma Huang (Lucille Soong) mostly just sits there, occasionally making comments that are either profound or disturbing.

For Eddie, though, the transition is not smooth. The other students at his middle school don't exactly welcome him with open arms, and the smell of his homemade lunches gets him banished from a cafeteria table to the school's back steps, watching the janitor fly his kite (that is not a euphemism).

Also not thrilled is mom Jessica (Constance Wu). A tough, no-nonsense woman who combines love with a healthy dose of criticism, she doesn't understand why they had to leave their friends, family and community for a city populated by perky roller-blading women. And the humidity is murder on the hair. Her obsession with Stephen King does help her bond with her new neighbor: a trophy wife and social outcast named Honey (Chelsey Crisp).

Gradually, the Huangs begin to adapt to their new, perplexing environment where they must learn about NASCAR and Melrose Place. For Eddie, though, the fight to fit in is an uphill battle that can't be solved by Lunchables alone.

Is it any good? Yes, it is. The series is based on the autobiographical book of the same name by the real, adult Eddie Huang (who serves as the show's narrator). It's quirky, odd, hilarious, even touching at times. Those who are easily offended might have a problem with some of the stereotypes, but only if they're missing the point: to poke fun at those stereotypes.

The characters are all just "off" enough to be comic without becoming cartoons and they're all lovable in their own ways. Jessica, in particular, is comedy gold. It's clear they're a close family and even though they poke, push and criticize, they love and support each other when it counts -- without getting sappy about it.

Are there extras? The pilot episode has a "Trivia Track" -- random facts about the series, the music, the time period and Huang's life pop up on the screen as the episode plays. There's also a short gag reel.

New this week: A.D. The Bible Continues, Complete Series; Batman, Season 3; Californication, Complete Series; Doctor Who, Season 9, Part 1; Empire, Gold Record Edition; Game of Thrones, Seasons 1-2, Steelbook Collectors Set; Getting On, Season 2; I Love Lucy, Complete Series; Star Trek, Complete Series; That '70s Show, Complete Series (Blu-ray).

Next week: Automan, Complete Series; Better Call Saul, Season 1; The Dick Van Dyke Show, Complete Series; Manimal, Complete Series; Maude, Season 3.

Style on 11/01/2015

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