Eddie Huang, the restaurateur whose memoir "Fresh Off the Boat" is the inspiration for the forthcoming ABC sitcom, also named "Fresh Off the Boat," took to Twitter Wednesday to sound off about pressure he says he’s facing to scrub clean political criticisms of America in his voiceovers on the show.
It started here:
Producers of #FreshOffTheBoat want me to say "America is great" or I get replaced by some other voice actor… what's a chink to do?
— RICH HOMIE HUANG (@MrEddieHuang) November 13, 2014
In VO booth producer says "how about a compromise? america aint half bad" Told them run the tape & said "America ain't 3/5 bad" #Compromise
— RICH HOMIE HUANG (@MrEddieHuang) November 13, 2014
.@Mattyslap thank u fam. I am AMERICAN. but I MADE my place. they don't give this shit out like bourbon chicken at the mall b!
— RICH HOMIE HUANG (@MrEddieHuang) November 13, 2014
.@Cin_D_Z absolutely. I choose to live here because I believe we will get there one day but we aint gonna get there without being critical!
— RICH HOMIE HUANG (@MrEddieHuang) November 13, 2014
And then Huang leveraged his Twitter followers to amplify his criticisms.
Its disappointing when we finally get a platform & then get neutered. Please help hold #FreshOfftheBoat @ABCNetwork accountable to us!
— RICH HOMIE HUANG (@MrEddieHuang) November 13, 2014
.@MrEddieHuang @ABCNetwork excited for a show that ACCURATELY reflected my experience, NAH Y'all just want another watered down Goldbergs
— Ace Chapman (@TROYofthefield) November 13, 2014
Dear @ABCNetwork don't reduce @MrEddieHuang #FreshOffTheBoat to trite cliches & change the meaning
— dmfrancois (@dfrancoisusvi) November 13, 2014
@MrEddieHuang fuck that, don't compromise for anybody. Pg268 'i don't knw the key to success but the key to failure is try to please every1'
— Alejo Cabral (@a_cabral18) November 13, 2014
.@ABCNetwork The story of *every* immigrant is full of struggle, so why neuter @MrEddieHuang's message? Actually looking forward to #FOB.
— janet kwok (@signedjk) November 13, 2014
.@throwinrocks @ABCNetwork I did not say the line and I did not cash my voice over checks
— RICH HOMIE HUANG (@MrEddieHuang) November 13, 2014
Melvin Mar, an executive producer of "Fresh Off the Boat," didn’t respond to a request for comment as of press time.