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.
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.
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.
Can't tell if #FreshOffTheBoat will be a commentary on how infiltrative american culture is or insanely racist
cristina yang@itsTiaRieFollow
Can't tell if #FreshOffTheBoat will be a commentary on how infiltrative american culture is or insanely racist
8:59 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Sure, there were a few haters.
this show "fresh off the boat" is the most racist, saddest piece of white television trash I have ever seen right next to "blackish"
Nacho Man@ImaYOLOActivistFollow
this show "fresh off the boat" is the most racist, saddest piece of white television trash I have ever seen right next to "blackish"
8:53 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
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Seriously how do shows like Fresh Off The Boat get created when clearly they come off completely racist. #freshofftheboat
Chuck@chucktasticFollow
Seriously how do shows like Fresh Off The Boat get created when clearly they come off completely racist. #freshofftheboat
9:05 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
OMG this show is soooo racist 5 minutes in... #FreshOffTheBoat
Erica Lee@Lainey4387Follow
OMG this show is soooo racist 5 minutes in... #FreshOffTheBoat
8:33 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
But the reaction was largely positive.
10 minutes in, and Fresh off the boat is my new favorite show
Kristen Gardner@Kristenelise20Follow
10 minutes in, and Fresh off the boat is my new favorite show
8:40 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Fresh off the boat. Love it already
Mr. RJ@KingRichardJohnFollow
Fresh off the boat. Love it already
8:40 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
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FRESH OFF THE BOAT IS ACTUALLY SO FUNNY
olivia@_olivia_graceeFollow
FRESH OFF THE BOAT IS ACTUALLY SO FUNNY
8:40 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Fresh Off the Boat is perf.
WINSTON@serdricFollow
Fresh Off the Boat is perf.
8:39 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Fresh Off The Boat is a winner! I'm liking this show already. #FreshOffTheBoat
Dreamer@whit_geoFollow
Fresh Off The Boat is a winner! I'm liking this show already. #FreshOffTheBoat
8:40 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
And many found it to be really relatable.
fresh off the boat on abc is my life story.
lauren chou@LCE111Follow
fresh off the boat on abc is my life story.
8:39 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
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Having an Asian mom of my own has Fresh off the Boat cracking me up.
HoustonHannahVegas@MsHap10Follow
Having an Asian mom of my own has Fresh off the Boat cracking me up.
8:40 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Fresh Off the Boat is how middle school was for me.
Clinton Davis@cryingrnlolFollow
Fresh Off the Boat is how middle school was for me.
8:40 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
fresh off the boat is an accurate depiction of minorities - I LOVE ITTTTTTT
Janvi@ivnaj_Follow
fresh off the boat is an accurate depiction of minorities - I LOVE ITTTTTTT
8:40 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Especially particular scenes...
Bruhh that lunch scene from Fresh off the boat just now.....MY LIFE
Haze TheBasedGoddess@manahan14Follow
Bruhh that lunch scene from Fresh off the boat just now.....MY LIFE
8:39 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
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The Lunchables plot line in Fresh Off Boat is TOO REAL
Upma K.@upmaaaFollow
The Lunchables plot line in Fresh Off Boat is TOO REAL
8:48 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
...and characters.
Eddie from "Fresh off the Boat" is me😂ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
christiana@christiana_engFollow
Eddie from "Fresh off the Boat" is me
5:39 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Jessica from Fresh Off the Boat is literally me.
Kennon Stewart@StewartKennonFollow
Jessica from Fresh Off the Boat is literally me.
8:48 PM - 04 Feb 15ReplyRetweetFavorite
Never change, Huang family.
