© 2025 Aspen Public Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

EP of ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ talks diversity and representation

Courtesy, ABC

ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” just finished its second season. It’s based off of the memoir of the same name by Eddie Huang.

Melvin Mar is the executive producer of the show and is participating in an Aspen Ideas Festival conversation about how immigrants are represented in the arts.

Mar said television has helped to create a more diverse cast of people working in Hollywood.

“Things are starting to change,” Mar said. “Sometimes it looks like a giant bummer, but being part of these discussions … it’s always a complicated conversation, but (people) are seeing that diversity helps the bottom line.”

 

He said that he has one of the most diverse writing staffs in the industry. Mar is Chinese-American.

“I think that is really a huge part of the strength of the show.”

Patrick Fort grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, nurturing a love for ice hockey and deli sandwiches. After moving to Colorado in 2010 to attend the University of Colorado to study music, Patrick discovered his love for journalism. In 2013, Patrick created and hosted the award-winning radio program Colorado Stories, a news program that covered CU and the surrounding community. An avid mountain and road cyclist, Patrick also referees youth ice hockey. He loves '60s pop bands and and trying new recipes ranging from milk-braised carnitas to flourless cakes.
Related Content