MovieChat Forums > Fresh Off the Boat (2015) Discussion > Sorry, but the kids on this show are rui...

Sorry, but the kids on this show are ruining it for me

posted 9 years ago by mistela67
15 replies | jump to latest

Not one of them is a natural actor. Watching the two younger brothers is like running your finger nails across a chalkboard. They are way too stiff when delivering their dialog. They don't act; they recite. You can tell the difference. It's like someone told them to smile at the camera and read off a cue card.

The actor that plays Eddie is horrible and embarrassing. I'm sorry, but when he tries to act cool, it comes off as him looking stupid. He has no affinity towards being a "hip" sort of kid.

They are all one-dimensional, and add no entertainment factors other than (trying) to be cute. That goes for Eddie's friends, too.

Even his "older" girlfriend if mis-casted. She is way too big for him; and the two have zero chemistry, even for the teen/pre-teen set.

For the show to survive, it needs to focus more on the parents and give some more time to the grandparent. I know the focus is on the Eddie character's childhood. But honestly, they chose the wrong "actor" to carry this important role. In fact, they chose the wrong actor to carry all the child roles.

[–] Paul_Ke 9 years ago

Their stiff delivery is intentional. It shows how different they are from most normal kids. The two younger brothers are quite funny actually.

Eddie is SUPPOSED to come off looking stupid when he tries to act cool. That's what makes it funny.

I agree that the parents are great, but I think you're missing the satirical aspect of the kid roles.

[–] Roark_0009 9 years ago

Goodbye mistela, you won't be missed !!

[–] chiluvr1228 9 years ago

Goodbye mistela, you won't be missed !!

Ahh, I remember you - the rude poster from Dr. Ken.

"Vulgarity is no substitute for wit".

[–] americaneskimodog 9 years ago

I'm actually gonna partly agree with you on here; I think the people behind Evan and Emery are still developing as actors. As for Eddie, I think the actor does just fine; he does have a tough role to fill, and I agree that it's supposed to come across as awkward and a bit misplaced whenever he expresses his interests.

[–] rebelscout 9 years ago

Everything including myself was always awkward at 12.

The two younger bros are funny. They're doing just fine.

[–] lightningcows 9 years ago

...i've got no complaints.

[–] sannozz94 9 years ago

Watching the two younger brothers is like running your finger nails across a chalkboard.

Only reading this gave me chills because of the combination chalkboard and nails, but the acting of those two younger kids doesn't give me chills, so I totally disagree with you on that.
I love Evan and Emery and I think Eddie has gotten better this season....

[–] vickytherobot 9 years ago

I disagree about the kid actors being horrible. I think they're the best part, especially in season 2. They were awkward and weird like how kids are suppose to act in the 90s. I really like the portrayal of the kids on this show.

[–] tiffanykk2002 9 years ago

I disagree. I thought the show's central focus was Eddie in kind of a 'Wonder Years' type narrative. Seeing as how the character and I were born the same year, I really enjoy Eddie's experiences and all of the references that come with being a kid in the 90s. I actually think the show is beginning to rely too much on Jessica's character. I like the dad, and the grandma though.

[–] PaulG28 9 years ago

This one of few shows where I like the kids, They're funny. imo

[–] Roger Thornhill 9 years ago

I agree about Eddie. He's an unflattering stereotype of an Asian boy that the writers (and the young actor) believe is secretly cool. My recollection of the 90s is that most of the kids his age were fans of of hip hop. Eddie is more of a follower than a maverick; the writers made all the other kids oblivious to rap to hide this fact.

I like Evan and Emery -- they add to the show. They aren't slotted into the "Asian kid acting like an NWA rapper" cliché.

[–] ExCivilian 9 years ago

They're not portraying him as a maverick. He's from DC and picked up Hip Hop from his older cousin and stuck with it as an outcast in a white, Florida suburb. It's not surprising that his friends wouldn't be that exposed to urban music and fashion yet.

Florida was central in banning hip hop cd's and groups from performing live, and eventually explicit lyrics labels that we still have with us today. There wasn't an ubiquitous internet and grunge was actually the siren call for outcasts during the early 90's. Even Eddie's older cousin switched genres as evidenced by the time he came to to visit Eddie, which was a fairly accurate assessment of the time period, unless I have the years of the show a little off. I'm speaking about early 90's, which was right after I graduated high school. I'm about seven years older than Eddie.

[–] csjohnson33 9 years ago

The show's set in '95-'96.

[–] martavisgriffin 9 years ago

If you look at the original Eddie, he dresses exactly like Eddie in the show. And I'm sure his friends in DC dressed the same way but now he's in a white suburb where kids weren't as ghetto. I find it funny because I remember kids dressing exactly like that, especially tons of Orlando Magic gear because of Shaq.

As for the little kids, they are hilarious. Especially when they're with the grandma. My favorite scene from the show was when the grandma beat the little kid at poker and took his stuffed bunny. That was hilarious.