After All That Backlash, "Fresh Off The Boat" Debuted To A Lot Of Love On Twitter

    Despite months of controversy surrounding the new ABC comedy about a Taiwanese-American family, those tweeting their thoughts during the premiere seemed to find it both funny and relatable.

    Emily Orley
    by Emily Orley

    BuzzFeed News Reporter

    The new '90s-set comedy Fresh Off the Boat — about a Taiwanese couple and their three American-born sons who pick up and move from Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Florida — premiered on ABC on Wednesday night.

    Kevin Foley / ABC

    The show, loosely based on chef and food personality Eddie Huang's life and memoir of the same name, centers on the eldest Huang, Eddie (Hudson Yang), as he and his family struggle to assimilate.

    In the nearly nine months since ABC announced it had picked up the series, criticism has been hurled at both Huang and the series.

    Nicole Wilder / ABC

    Early on, Huang defended the show's title, stating he hoped to reclaim the historically offensive slang term. And just last week, the controversy surrounding the show continued when ABC tweeted — and quickly deleted — an offensive promotional image for the show (captioned "The world is full of different hats") that Huang and many followers quickly denounced.

    So, when it came time for the show to premiere, some were nervous about what was in store.

    cristina yang @itsTiaRie

    Can't tell if #FreshOffTheBoat will be a commentary on how infiltrative american culture is or insanely racist

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    Sure, there were a few haters.

    Nacho Man @ImaYOLOActivist

    this show "fresh off the boat" is the most racist, saddest piece of white television trash I have ever seen right next to "blackish"

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    Chuck @chucktastic

    Seriously how do shows like Fresh Off The Boat get created when clearly they come off completely racist. #freshofftheboat

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    Erica Lee @Lainey4387

    OMG this show is soooo racist 5 minutes in... #FreshOffTheBoat

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    But the reaction was largely positive.

    Kristen Gardner @Kristenelise20

    10 minutes in, and Fresh off the boat is my new favorite show

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    Mr. RJ @KingRichardJohn

    Fresh off the boat. Love it already

    Reply Retweet Favorite
    olivia @_olivia_gracee

    FRESH OFF THE BOAT IS ACTUALLY SO FUNNY

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    WINSTON @serdric

    Fresh Off the Boat is perf.

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    Dreamer @whit_geo

    Fresh Off The Boat is a winner! I'm liking this show already. #FreshOffTheBoat

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    And many found it to be really relatable.

    lauren chou @LCE111

    fresh off the boat on abc is my life story.

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    HoustonHannahVegas @MsHap10

    Having an Asian mom of my own has Fresh off the Boat cracking me up.

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    Clinton Davis @cryingrnlol

    Fresh Off the Boat is how middle school was for me.

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    Janvi @ivnaj_

    fresh off the boat is an accurate depiction of minorities - I LOVE ITTTTTTT

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    Especially particular scenes...

    Haze TheBasedGoddess @manahan14

    Bruhh that lunch scene from Fresh off the boat just now.....MY LIFE

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    Upma K. @upmaaa

    The Lunchables plot line in Fresh Off Boat is TOO REAL

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    ...and characters.

    christiana @christiana_eng

    Eddie from "Fresh off the Boat" is me😂😭😭😭😭

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    Kennon Stewart @StewartKennon

    Jessica from Fresh Off the Boat is literally me.

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    Never change, Huang family.

    ABC via gifthetv.tumblr.com
    ABC via gifthetv.tumblr.com

    Fresh Off the Boat airs on Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.