Of all the new shows this fall season, one of my favorites is ABC’s Modern Family which tells the story of three inter-related families in a mockumentary style – sort of The Office meets a family sitcom. One of the families is represented by a same sex couple, Mitchell and Cameron, who have adopted a Vietnamese girl, Lily. In the most recent episode, Mitchell accidentally bumps Lily’s head against the ceiling – and being concerned, Mitchell and Cameron take their daughter to see a doctor, who happens to be an Asian American woman who grew up in Denver.
Cameron, being white and feeling he needs to justify the adoption of Lily, makes some inappropriate comments and hilarity ensues.
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View Comments to “ABC’s Modern Family: “I’m from Denver.””
LindaChan wrote:
This is one of my favorite new fall shows too, and I remember this scene.
Why do white people always bow to Asian Americans thinking that isn't weird/uncomfortable to us (well, me, anyway)?
Posted on 04-Nov-09 at 1:32 pm | Permalink
csc3 wrote:
hahaha that's a great clip
Posted on 04-Nov-09 at 3:02 pm | Permalink
Eric wrote:
That's pretty hilarious mocking how typical white Americans view Asian culture. This happens all the time to me. I was asked the other day what my Asian name is. My name is Eric, I'm from New York City haha.
Posted on 04-Nov-09 at 5:23 pm | Permalink
Tristan Dewar wrote:
Ha. I've definitely been bowed to at least once in the workplace.
Posted on 04-Nov-09 at 8:44 pm | Permalink
johnklin wrote:
I've never been bowed to for work (though I did bow a few times while I was in Japan for work). I have been asked if I have a Chinese name. And I've blogged before when I first started work right out of college, an older co-worker asked where I was from, and I said Massachusetts, he asked “Where are you *really* from?” I said my parents were originally from Taiwan.
Posted on 05-Nov-09 at 12:55 am | Permalink
Tristan Dewar wrote:
Also, I hope she wasn't hating on pho!
Posted on 05-Nov-09 at 3:27 pm | Permalink
slinslin wrote:
while i definitely dig that asian americans are getting more representation on tv ('i'm from denver.'), there's still something that sits uncomfortably with me about this scene. beyond “look how ignorant white people are, winkwinknudgenudge”, the white character suffers annoyed looks from his partner while the asian american doctor is still the only one left to deal with this ignorance. there needs to be more asian american characters that directly address this kind of ignorance, whether it be mercilessly clowning, tongue lashing, or going ape sh*t, to drive home the point.
Posted on 06-Nov-09 at 11:20 am | Permalink
Jae Young wrote:
I love how when I told my coworkers that it enrages me when people ask “Where are you from?” because I think it’s racist, they were like “but people make assumptions about white people all the time?” This is of course ignoring the obviously racist assumption that you must not be American. Phaw. It’s making me annoyed just typing this out.
Posted on 07-Nov-09 at 12:54 pm | Permalink
maria wrote:
while I don’t look asian (half) I have been asked a few times where I come from originally and on one occasion (I mentioned this elsewhere on 8asians I think) I got asked if I had a British passport while applying for a summer job during university.
On the reverse I’m still not happy with comments from strangers (whilst visiting family in the Philippines) that my mum is “my maid”.
Posted on 08-Nov-09 at 3:08 am | Permalink
alienman wrote:
Welp. You’ve convinced me to add Modern Family to my Hulu queue.
Posted on 09-Nov-09 at 1:05 pm | Permalink
Nourishing Noodle Soups « The Hungry Novelist wrote:
[...] that referenced pho in an episode of my new favourite sitcom Modern Family – see the scene here – I decided to try some takeout pho from Golden Turtle, a popular spot on Ossington Avenue. [...]
Posted on 26-Nov-09 at 7:09 pm | Permalink
hungrynovelist wrote:
I love this clip – loved Eric Stonestreet's timing on the lines about pho. “Is that how you pronounce it … phuh?” Loved the doctor character's echoed timing with the pause on her response too. And I think she totally and cleverly did retaliate a) by acting like she's never heard of pho and pronouncing it the same stupid way he does and b) by making the Mitchell character hit his head (twice!) against the wall. So funny and so satisfying.
How about when I show my passport to the guy at the airport who checks you in at security and he says Konnichewa or Arigato on the strength of my surname despite the fact the passport lists my place of birth as Toronto? Hate that.
Posted on 27-Nov-09 at 10:05 am | Permalink
hungrynovelist wrote:
I love this clip – loved Eric Stonestreet's timing on the lines about pho. “Is that how you pronounce it … phuh?” Loved the doctor character's echoed timing with the pause on her response too. And I think she totally and cleverly did retaliate a) by acting like she's never heard of pho and pronouncing it the same stupid way he does and b) by making the Mitchell character hit his head (twice!) against the wall. So funny and so satisfying.
How about when I show my passport to the guy at the airport who checks you in at security and he says Konnichewa or Arigato on the strength of my surname despite the fact the passport lists my place of birth as Toronto? Hate that.
Posted on 27-Nov-09 at 6:05 pm | Permalink
smlyc wrote:
ITA. What I hate most about it though is that it's usually accompanied by a leer…and so my race is being used as an excuse to generate an artificial bond with me. Sorry, but you saying 'hello' to me (in a language that I may or may not speak, btw) is not going to get me to drop my pants.
Posted on 10-Feb-10 at 4:23 pm | Permalink
8Asians.com » Asian Stereotypes on ABC’s Modern Family wrote:
[...] As I had blogged previously, Modern Family is one of my favorite new comedy shows of the 2009-2010 television season. In a recent episode, I was pleasantly surprised to see actress Suzy Nakamura reprises her role as Dr. Miura, who same sex couple Mitchell and Cameron befriend and invite over to their home. Mitchell and Cameron become concerned and self-conscious when their adopted daughter Lily’s first words are “momma” instead of “daddy.” Later, in this video clip, Dr. Miura explains that her mother, who was born in Japan, was very traditional, pushing her to get married and have kids – and would only be happy with that stereotype. However, Dr. Miura was lucky to have a very supportive dad who would listen and support whatever decisions she made in her life. She reassures Mitchell and Cameron that Lily is just as lucky to have two father who love her as much as they do . . . And then screeches away in her car and hits everything in her path, reinforcing the stereotype about bad Asian American female drivers. [...]
Posted on 10-Mar-10 at 5:42 pm | Permalink
Modern Furniture wrote:
One of the best TV shows ever!
Posted on 27-Aug-10 at 2:28 am | Permalink
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