Submit Questions for Nahnatchka Khan of ‘Fresh Off the Boat’

I get annoyed/bothered every time I see the Huangs walking around the house in their shoes. Nahnatchka Khan, didn't you have to take your shoes off?!

Hello
nahnatchka khan I love your work and I never really have gone so far as to write some one on how much I love and respect your work. So the main reason I am writing this is because I am overly obsessed with "Don't trust that bitch in apt 23" and I have literally watch that show on Netflix 11 times both seasons and would love to know if you plan on ever making more episodes.

"Fresh Off the Boat" is inarguably an achievement for diversity in American television. What do you see as a next step toward more diversity? A primetime drama? More diversity behind the camera? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thank you.

Hi Ms. Khan,
Will there be open casting calls for "Fresh off the Boat"?

Hi! I know everyone is asking about the revival of Dont Trust the B in Apt 23 and I myself am curious about that, and would love a revival. But my own question though is what made you come up with the idea for the show, and if I may, why apt 23?? Any significance for the number? I absolutely adore Krysten Ritter and would love to know how you imagined that role for her!! Thanks !! Hope we see much more of your work.

Hi!
I am an aspiring tv/film writer as well as an Asian American (Indian). I think "Fresh Of The Boat" is hilarious and a milestone for Asian Americans on network television.
1) Do you have any tips for aspiring writers who didn't go to film school? Would you say spec scripts are the first step to getting a job and do you have any ideas on how to scripts into producers/development execs' hands?
2) How important do you think it is that writers/actors be of the same ethnicity and background as the characters? For example, do you think that choosing non-Chinese-American writers dilutes the authenticity of the show? I know Eddie Huang has expressed some criticism in an interview with Vulture.

Thanks you for answering reader questions!

Ms Khan --
Thanks for what is turning out to be a fabulous show, esp. the parents and grandparents (esp. Ms Wu!).
How do you intend to deal with Eddie's growing into cooking, from his current jr. high school rap adventures?

Thanks,
Bill

Hello Natch!

My name is Jorge and I currently have a petition to bring back "Apt 23." Our main activity comes from our instagram (@donttrustthebitchinapt23) and we have almost 4,000 signatures. We miss the show and the characters terribly and know that Netflix would be a perfect home for the show. Would you ever consider reviving the show and pitch it to Netflix? There is a rumor about a Christmas special... is that something to look forward to? I have been spreading the word about our petition endlessly and it would mean the world to us if the B came back.

Hi! I absolutely love the show "don't trust the b in apartment 23" and was so bummed out to find it was canceled condsiering how well it's doing on Netflix is there a chance that there could be more seasons on Netflix. The writing and everything about that show was brilliant and I need more!

Hello..I am re-submitting my question because I'm not sure if the previous went through. If this is a duplicate, I apologize to all for my redundancy. Ms. Kahn, what are your thoughts on the cancellation of "...The B In Apt 23"? I, like others, was extremely disappointed about the end of the show. Would you consider or be opposed to a revival? Arigato..heeeyyyy!

Hi Nahnatchka,

Why is the part of Louis Huang played by a Korean actor? Were you unable to find any capable English-speaking Taiwanese actors to portray the part of an English-speaking Taiwanese character?

Would you be open to having Don't Trust the B to come back for more seasons on let's say, Netflix. I would totes LOVE if you brought back the B! I love Krysten Ritter in that role so much! I would love to live nextdoor to her! Thanks for creating the show btw! You are awesome!

Hello Ms Kahn,

Thank you for this opportunity. I'm curious as to what your thoughts were on the cancellation of "....The B In Apt 23"? Personally, I was supremely bummed. It was such a quality show! Would you be in favor of a revival, if possible?

Also, do you find writing harder or easier when you have someone in mind to play the part? Sometimes it can be quite stifling, when I know I don't have the funds to support my choices, but is also very exciting because hey you never know. Can you please let me know what do you think?

Nahnatchka,
We've heard some rumblings about The B in Apartment 23 coming back. Please tell us there is truth to this. The world is dying for more Chloe.
Warmly,
Warren

Are you going to write in more specific cultural references to Taiwan (not China)?

Hi Nahnatchka,

Krysten Ritter sent me via her Twitter , holla! Anyhow, most writers categorize writers block as editing while you're trying to write, can you please let me know what writers block is to you? By the way, love the B in Apt 23!! Hope to see Krysten and James again :)

Thanks !

Hello Nahnatchka,
I was wondering if you ever tried or will try to take back, "Don't trust the B", you should totally do new sesons to Netflix. Beside from, "You're the worst", that's the best comedy ever, I feel like I can't breath. Thank you .

Hello Nahnatchka,

Can you talk about your time on Malcolm in the Middle because I'm still loving a lot of the writing on there.

Hello Nahnatchka,

I'm a fan of the show and am so glad that it highlights Asian American issues. For instance,I was really glad that the “Good morning Orlando” episode dealt with the Long Duk Dong issue,as well as, paying tribute to Margaret Cho's “All-American Girl”. My question is this: Will there be any more episodes that will shine a light on other Asian Americans?
I know that you'll have an episode about Michael Chang but how about a story line that includes Russell Wong's “Vanishing Son” (the 1st series to have an AAM lead actor), Jason Scott Lee's “Dragon”, or Dustin Nguyen (21 Jump Street & VIP)? Those shows came out during the 90's. Better yet,why not have those actors come on the show? (If Jessica Huang can have a crush on Pete Sampras and Denzel Washington,she can definitely have a crush on one of those men,lol.)

Also,extra brownie points if you can shine a light on Sessue Hayakawa! Before Rudolph Valentino,there was Sessue Hayakawa (Hollywood's first superstar and sex symbol). He is now long forgotten,unfortunately, (and not around during the 90's) but he was also the first person of color to open a movie production company to fight against racist stereotypes and portray Asians in a positive light. It'll be great if Hollywood can be reminded that its first superstar and sex symbol was actually a person of color (given the issues of diversity as of late). I hope you'll be able to work those suggestions in the show this season and I'll definitely be tuning in!

Nahnatchka Khan, absolutely love the show! Will there be a back story on Louis' mom?

Hi Nahnatchka,
I'm an aspiring writer and really admire your work. What advice would you give to women writers in their early careers looking for hope and inspiration that their voices can and need to be heard despite the current lack of representation in acting, directing and writing in media as far as women of ethnic minorities are concerned? Who were your mentors from your career as a writer? What kept you going early on?
Many thanks for your insights.

I've heard that a great way to work towards being a television writer is to start out as a Writer's PA. Do you agree? And if so, do you have any advice on finding Writer's PA positions?

Hi Ms. Khan - you pack a lot into 30 minutes. You also have an amazing cast - how do you portion out storylines so that it seems as if everyone participates in each episode. I do like how you're expanded the cast to include the neighbors and crew at the restaurant. Grandma - please, more Lucille Soong. Even if she just has 1 or 2 lines she nails it.

I know that Eddie Huang is less involved than when he wrote the piece for NY Magazine, but a lot of his criticism seemed to be about a lack of specificity in the portrayal of an Asian American family (specifically Taiwanese-Chinese-American). How do you balance the specificity of the experience of growing up Chinese American with the constraints of a sitcom (which tend to be broad in humor so that they can be broad in their appeal)? And not being Chinese American yourself, how do you incorporate and maintain Chinese American experience and perspective in a non-stereotypical way?

if you had to rap battle anyone, who would you pick as your opponent and why?

Ms. Kahn,
First, it's gratifying to see groundbreaking programming on network TV. Stellar cast, writing and always fun to tune in...so thank you and the entire cast and crew for your efforts. Curious to know your thoughts about diversity in Hollywood. I hear quite a bit this excuse for the lack of it, for instance: "The population of Asian Americans is roughly 4.8 % of the US population.Why do Asians expect to be represented more fully when they're such a small portion of population? " Representation in the business should and does reflect the population itself." This same rationale is used to defend the low numbers of other people of color in the business, from the executive offices to the screen. Thoughts?

It's great to see the expanding role diversity is starting to play in mainstream television. However, it seems that many controversial topics are forced to be brought up through a comedic portrayal of cultural stereotypes in order to appeal to a wider audience on networks - an audience who may think they are laughing with characters about culture clashes, but who may really be laughing at them based on their inner prejudices. With your exposure to the industry do you think new avenues for television, such as Netflix and Amazon will allow for a more honest, deeper look into these controversial topics? Do you think there will ever be a platform to take controversy to the next level?

Could you please, PLEASE replace the horrible theme song from the title sequence? I think the show itself is cute, but I have reflexively changed the channel on more than one occasion because the song is so unpleasant to hear I'd rather just watch something else than have to listen to it thing again. Such a change wouldn't be groundbreaking—Galavant replaced its Season 1 theme just a few weeks ago.

Hi Nahnatchka,
Do you feel like less of an outsider now at this point in your life since you've been able to share Fresh Off The Boat with such a large platform and seen how much people can relate no matter their backgrounds and also through the simple education of another family's experience?

Hi Nahnatchka
Big fan over here. I was wondering how you feel about the story circle that Dan Harmon talks about, or if you use any tools like that in your writing. Do you recommend reading "Save the Cat" or Campbell or anything in particular?
Thanks in advance!
Gin

Due to the nature of the show, I realize you're confined to a certain time period in Eddie's life. However, I'm wondering if we'll start to see more of Eddie's interests in food and cooking take hold as the series progresses? It was such a huge part of the memoir (and the man behind the memoir) and seemed to start very young.