January 06, 2006
Book of Daniel: A Chinese Adoptee = Preacher's Kid
The new television show, Book of Daniel, premiered on Friday night. I happened upon it by chance when the word "Oriental" caught my ear. Afterward, as I walked into the room to glance at the television to see who said that word on television, I noticed there was an Asian American character in the show. As it turns out, Adam Webster is a 16 year old Chinese adoptee who happens to be one of three PKs (Preacher's Kid). Adam is portrayed by Ivan Shaw. I could not find out much Mr. Shaw, except that he is a Taiwanese born Chinese American who previously was on the soap, All My Children (click forinterview). Here is a photo of Ivan Shaw for those curious...
A few organizations (American Family Association) and television stations have boycotted the show and are not airing it and a number of newspaper columnists/critics (e.g., Indianapolis Star) have criticized the show as well. Interestingly, I have found that few of the reviewers mention that Adam is a transnational, transracial adoptee. Some don't even mention that he is adopted (e.g., Houston Chronicle), although the Salt Lake Tribune (of all places!) does acknowledge this reality. Not surprisingly, the SLT critic is Asian American.
Upon first impression, I think that this show has promise. It is scripted in a witty, modern way that tries to be an amalgamation of Desperate Housewives, Dawson's Creek, and 7th Heaven. The dialogue and character storylines are not great but maybe it will develop over time. I am not a media critic.
What I liked the most about the show is the head-on manner in which they address the fact that one of the children in the Webster family is transnationally and transracially adopted. Using humor directly and indirectly, the show writers reveal how the stigma of adoption is still prevalent and how racism and discrimination play out in day to day life. In the first episode, the word "oriental" is used in teasing (among siblings) and disparaging ways. The latter way is used by Adam's White girlfriend's mother who disapproves of the interracial relationship and goes on to say that she does not want to have little Oriental grandchildren. The diversity within the family (race and sexual orientation) is acknowledged openly by the family members who struggle and accept these differences.
I also have to say that this is the first prime time show that I can recall which actually shows on air an interracial Asian-White relationship in which the man is Asian and virile! Usually, if you see an Asian-White relationship, it is a White man with an Asian woman, but here the reverse is shown. Plus, Adam has wit, humor, and personality. He is athletic and compassionate. He breaks the Asian male sterotypes of the effeminate nerd. It will be interesting to see how this story line develops over the season.
All in all, The Book of Daniel is not a show about a clean cut preacher's family. Instead, the show attempts to reflect the complexity of modern family life, in all its diversity and love. I look forward to seeing if this show can mature into a solid program.
Posted by richlee at January 6, 2006 08:42 PM