S02.E06: Good Morning Orlando

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Louis goes on a local morning talk show to promote Cattleman’s Ranch and fears he humiliated himself and poorly represented his culture. Meanwhile, Eddie and his friends are confused about who their girlfriends are and attempt to sort it out during a group date at the skating rink.

[BubblingKettle]

This episode had some laughs. The youngest brother has fantastic comedic timing for a little guy. And the middle brother's tutorial at the end - with the husky friend taking notes, "don't be scared of horses" --- lol!  

 

This show and The Goldbergs seem to bring back the "it's okay if the kids watch" type of sitcoms. For so many years, it seems like that genre was on hiatus. We were deluged with so-called humor full of innuendo and mature themes during the 8-9 hour. I realize I sound like an old fart. I don't have children of my own, but I think it's good that these kid- AND adult-friendly shows worked their way back to network TV so parents don't have to sit through laughtrack hell with Nickelodeon or Disney Channel drivel.

 

The roller skating rink scene was so funny, especially with the little ginger-haired boy making his move. 

 

You know what kept dragging me down, though? Judy Reyes playing a bit part. I felt badly for her -- she used to be a major star back in the Scrubs days. 

[possibilities]

I loved this episode, start to finish.

[Ms Blue Jay]

I never thought of Judy Reyes as a star....  And I think I watched 8 seasons

 

Anyone know the songs at the roller skating rink?

[alrightokay]

I thought this episode did a great job depicting the bitterness Asians and Asian Americans feel toward Long Duk Dong.  (And given how much Louis loves John Hughes movies, that humiliating stereotype must have really hurt.)  The episode also conveyed how hard it is for any person of color to "represent" their race, and how you feel "damned if you do, damned if you don't."  Quite a "meta" subject to tackle, since Fresh Off the Boat itself has had to deal with accusations of not "representing."  And I think that they were trying to make their point clear in an uncomfortable way by putting that Bill Cosby joke in there....

 

The "Are we dating?" story was cute, though the acting was a little stilted at times on the part of some of the kids.  I still think Dave is the funniest ("What if I'm afraid of horses?"), though Brian (the littlest guy) is the best actor.

[Ms Blue Jay]

Yeah this episode had interesting commentary on the Model Minority trope versus..... being looked at a jokey stereotype I guess

 

Reminded me of how Chappelle walked off the Chappelle's Show set when a white crew member was laughing extra hard at something that made Chappelle feel too weird to go on

[vibeology]

Emory was channeling Jessica with his direction to not "be scared of horses." It was one line but it was epic.

 

I also loved the boys being so confused about dating. I feel like in 7th grade its pretty messy and awkward.

 

Louis and the Asian stereotype was a great plot and I was really drawn into his concerns about being the model minority or comic relief minority. He just wanted to be a guy who had a business and was sometimes funny. I love that the show tackled that and I think they did a very good job handling a difficult concept.

 

Grandma falling asleep and missing her cue and Eddie bringing back his reeling them in dance also made me laugh.

[LAgator77]

I really like this show, but it drives me nuts that they get the details about mid-90s Orlando so wrong! They do not have Rally's in Florida, they have Checkers! They can hire me as a consultant, they film in the park across the street from my place all the time. Also, if Good Morning Orlando airs at 4am why was it broad daylight when they went to the live shot outside Rally's? These little errors, that happen in almost every episode, take me out of the show. 

[BubblingKettle]

I really like this show, but it drives me nuts that they get the details about mid-90s Orlando so wrong! They do not have Rally's in Florida, they have Checkers! They can hire me as a consultant, they film in the park across the street from my place all the time. Also, if Good Morning Orlando airs at 4am why was it broad daylight when they went to the live shot outside Rally's? These little errors, that happen in almost every episode, take me out of the show. 

I never thought of those things -- you're right!  I remember being impressed that they actually said Sandlake Road....but I've only lived in Orlando for three years, so I don't have background knowledge of 90's Orlando. I know exactly what you mean, though. I'm originally from Philly, and sometimes The Goldbergs get little things wrong, and it sticks out to me (they showed the inside of a Wawa looking like a disgusting 7-Eleven, the Wawa sold beer (not allowed in PA), they walked from their house in Jenkintown to Villanova University (not possible), the sister's hair is waaaay too low to be Philly-area 80's).

[readster]

I never thought of those things -- you're right!  I remember being impressed that they actually said Sandlake Road....but I've only lived in Orlando for three years, so I don't have background knowledge of 90's Orlando. I know exactly what you mean, though. I'm originally from Philly, and sometimes The Goldbergs get little things wrong, and it sticks out to me (they showed the inside of a Wawa looking like a disgusting 7-Eleven, the Wawa sold beer (not allowed in PA), they walked from their house in Jenkintown to Villanova University (not possible), the sister's hair is waaaay too low to be Philly-area 80's).

 

 I agree on this, unlike the main show creator of The Goldbergs who grew up during the decade. The constant jumping around with no set years gives them excuses for inconsistencies on Goldbergs. With FOTB, they try to keep it to those specific years. The show is now set to be 95 going into 96 and the show creators said they are doing the trends of the time. They are getting that with Shaq, certain wrap artists, lunchables and the like. But they really need to realize their locations where the stories are taking place. I was in Florida twice in the 90s both early and late and I knew they had Checkers there instead of Rallys which are the same company. Or how the terminate situation was just glossed over by Jess, when that was a huge thing in the mid nineties with older homes due to the climate. I get they play for laughs but still for a show that wants to be tighter nit due to the timeline of the show. They are missing the basics.

[MaryMitch]

I'm pretty impressed by most of the child actors they're using. The scenes with Eddie and his friends and "girlfriends" were hilarious!
 

This show and The Goldbergs seem to bring back the "it's okay if the kids watch" type of sitcoms. For so many years, it seems like that genre was on hiatus. We were deluged with so-called humor full of innuendo and mature themes during the 8-9 hour. I realize I sound like an old fart. I don't have children of my own, but I think it's good that these kid- AND adult-friendly shows worked their way back to network TV so parents don't have to sit through laughtrack hell with Nickelodeon or Disney Channel drivel.

I hadn't really thought about this, but you're right; this is one of those rare shows that a family with younger children can watch together. 

[blackwing]

I really enjoyed last night's episode.  The frustration experienced by Jessica at how others thought Louis was expected to behave seemed very real.

 

Question, in the closing credits, I noticed "Natalie Coughlin" as "Sarah S."  This wasn't Natalie Coughlin, the Olympic swimmer, was it?  If it was, I didn't notice her.  And who is Sarah S?  If it's a kid, then it seems like an actress with the same name as the more famous one.

 

I'm originally from Philly, and sometimes The Goldbergs get little things wrong, and it sticks out to me (they showed the inside of a Wawa looking like a disgusting 7-Eleven, the Wawa sold beer (not allowed in PA), 

I think at some point things may have changed and then changed again?  I went to school in Philly in the early 90s and I am positive the Wawa sold beer.  There was a Wawa right next to the freshmen dorm and that's where many went to get beer.  I remember going over there with one of my friends whenever her older brother came to visit.  I think maybe they might have been an exception though, because I know that nowadays in PA you have to go to a packaged goods store.

[ClareWalks]

I really liked that nobody else besides Jessica was implying that Louis was a jokey Chinese stereotype. The morning show folks just thought he was hilarious, and being Chinese had nothing to do with it. If they had actually been racist, it would have been painful to watch.

 

Agree about the broad-daylight Rally's at 4 AM being a distraction. I was like WTF? They could have at least made it a drive-thru that would be open at that time.

 

Loved the dating subplot. It made me want to go rollerskating.

[biakbiak]

is Sarah S? If it's a kid, then it seems like an actress with the same name as the more famous one.

Sara S is one of the girls that they were confused about dating (she was "actually dating" the ginger kid). She does have the same name but I doubt there is much confusion between the two since one is 12.

Edited November 4, 2015 by biakbiak

[paulvdb]

Question, in the closing credits, I noticed "Natalie Coughlin" as "Sarah S."  This wasn't Natalie Coughlin, the Olympic swimmer, was it?  If it was, I didn't notice her.  And who is Sarah S?  If it's a kid, then it seems like an actress with the same name as the more famous one.

Natalie Coughlin is not the Olympic swimmer. Her character was one of the boys' girlfriends.

[peeayebee]

I loved this ep. Everything worked.

 

The dating story and sweet and funny. Loved all the scenes with Eddie and his friends. Loved when Eddie hung up the phone, said, "I don't know who that was," and the four boys all groan in unison. Ned the messenger was great too. Loved his glare at Eddie.

 

Emory's talk with Eddie was very sweet, and his coaching the boys at the end was funny. 

 

"What if you're scared of horses?"

"Don't be scared of horses."

 

And the morning show was hilarious. Of course having Ken Marino as one of the hosts was terrific. Can't lose with him. Mey-Mey was great, too. Loved her ridiculous tan. Loved the bit with Mindy, esp at the end of her first appearance when Gus says they'll return for an update, and she barely gets out a "Wait, what?" before being cut off.

 

"I will iron your television pants."

[Jenkins]

This and the Goldbergs has renewed my faith in the sitcom. For myself, there hasn't been a sitcom that I "can't miss" in over a decade.

 

I am sure growing up in the late 70's, 80's and 90's has something to do with it, but I love these shows!

 

I don't think either show has had a single episode I didn't like. And the soundtracks on both shows definitely bring back memories.

 

I know it has been said and some people disagree, but I think Eddie really is the weak link here. BUT...I am hoping as he matures, his acting skills will also mature. I don't dislike him like some people do, but some of his acting makes me cringe at times.

[BubblingKettle]

I think at some point things may have changed and then changed again?  I went to school in Philly in the early 90s and I am positive the Wawa sold beer.  There was a Wawa right next to the freshmen dorm and that's where many went to get beer.  I remember going over there with one of my friends whenever her older brother came to visit.  I think maybe they might have been an exception though, because I know that nowadays in PA you have to go to a packaged goods store.

No, Wawa has never sold alcohol in PA because of the Liquor Control Board laws.They still don't. Right now, they're waiting for a final ruling re: obtaining the license to sell beer in one of their Concord Township, Delaware County locations. Maybe there was a pizza place near the dorm, and they had a license to sell what's called "packaged goods" -- 6-packs and singles. Or maybe some "entrepreneur" sold out of his trunk in the back parking lot! (which would be a shady but incredibly lucrative venture!)

[blackwing]

My favourite part of the episode was during Louis' second (and angry) appearance on Good Day Orlando.  Louis starts going off on the hosts for stereotyping him as Asian, and immediately and professionally, both hosts says at the same time, "let's go to commercial".  Then the show itself cuts and goes to commercial.  So seamless and so funny.

 

No, Wawa has never sold alcohol in PA because of the Liquor Control Board laws.They still don't. Right now, they're waiting for a final ruling re: obtaining the license to sell beer in one of their Concord Township, Delaware County locations. Maybe there was a pizza place near the dorm, and they had a license to sell what's called "packaged goods" -- 6-packs and singles. Or maybe some "entrepreneur" sold out of his trunk in the back parking lot! (which would be a shady but incredibly lucrative venture!)

It was definitely Wawa.  I remember going into the store with them and watching them as they got beer from the refrigerated case.  I thought I am maybe losing my marbles in my advancing age, so I turned to the power of Google.  Behold!  http://www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20150614/NEWS/150619814

 

Note this passage from the article:  "For Wawa, which already sells alcohol in its Virginia and Florida stores, it is the second attempt at beer sales in Pennsylvania. The first was at its 38th and Spruce location on the University of Pennsylvania campus, where beer was sold from 1988 until 2001. 'In 2003, we objected to the renewal of license based on the citation record for sales to minors,' Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board spokeswoman Stacy Kriedeman said in a Friday email."

 

I am chuckling at the "sales to minors" reference.  Indeed.  And glad to know that I wasn't going crazy!

[slowpoked]

I love how Louis was at the forefront of the episode. It's his time to shine, the past few episodes have been Jessica-centric (but I love the character though).

 

 

Mey-Mey was great, too. Loved her ridiculous tan.

That's the lovely Kathleen Rose Perkins. If you have Showtime, try to catch Episodes. I swear, she's the MVP of that sitcom.

 

I love the dating plot. From the boys not knowing they were dating the girls, to Eddie's That's the Way Love Goes dance, to the roller skating rink - it was a fun story about how kids really think about dating, and the confusion that goes with it. I agree with the sentiment above how this show makes it safe for both parents and kids to watch - parents probably for the nostalgia, while good clean fun for the kids.

 

I also loved that last scene about Eddie thinking they're broken up while Allison said they're not broken up, that it's just their first fight. Reminds me of a Friends episode where Chandler also thought they broke up after a fight and Monica saying, no, no, that's just a fight, welcome to an adult relationship. 

[janeyjay]

I really like this show, but it drives me nuts that they get the details about mid-90s Orlando so wrong! They do not have Rally's in Florida, they have Checkers! They can hire me as a consultant, they film in the park across the street from my place all the time. Also, if Good Morning Orlando airs at 4am why was it broad daylight when they went to the live shot outside Rally's? These little errors, that happen in almost every episode, take me out of the show. 

Agreed. The most egregious error, at least to me as a native Floridian, was referring to I-4 as going north/south. It runs east/west and the exits are labeled that way. Even with that, I still dig the show a lot.

[Ms Blue Jay]

Eddie's That's the Way Love Goes dance,

There is one musical reference per episode that makes me want to explode with happiness, as the show's era is exactly my favourite era of music.  This was that scene for this episode.  Has any other show done this for me?  I doubt it.  This show feels like pure fanservice to me.

[Rae Spellman]

 

You know what kept dragging me down, though? Judy Reyes playing a bit part. I felt badly for her -- she used to be a major star back in the Scrubs days.

 

Judy Reyes is one of the stars of Devious Maids. Season 4 starts in the new year. And, she has a recurring part on Jane the Virgin.

 

 

[BubblingKettle]

It was definitely Wawa.  I remember going into the store with them and watching them as they got beer from the refrigerated case.  I thought I am maybe losing my marbles in my advancing age, so I turned to the power of Google.  Behold!  http://www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20150614/NEWS/150619814

Good detective work and good memory, Blackwing! Now I learned something new!  

 

 

Judy Reyes is one of the stars of Devious Maids. Season 4 starts in the new year. And, she has a recurring part on Jane the Virgin.

I had forgotten about her role on Devious Maids!  I watched the first season and some of the second, but then I kind of lost interest. 

[slowpoked]

There is one musical reference per episode that makes me want to explode with happiness, as the show's era is exactly my favourite era of music.  This was that scene for this episode.  Has any other show done this for me?  I doubt it.  This show feels like pure fanservice to me.

I think that's also what I like best about this show. It's not the smartest or wittiest written sitcom out there, but the nostalgia effect does it for me. And most of the nostalgia comes from the music, which IMO they always get right. I grew up in that era too and remember it quite fondly. 

[fishcakes]

This was a great episode. I didn't think the "we don't know who we're dating" thing was all that realistic (even twenty years ago, kids were a lot more sophisticated than Eddie and his friends), but it was still cute and funny. Loved Ned the messenger who's clearly annoyed by the whole thing and Emery, the 10-year-old Mac Daddy (90s reference, whee!). I'm beginning to feel bad for Dave though. There's nothing apparently wrong with the kid and yet he seems destined to go unloved, first by his own father and then he doesn't even know which girl is his girlfriend until she dumps him.

 

Oh, how I hated Long Duk Dong. If I saw Gedde Watanabe on the street, I'd have to resist the urge to angry-old-person-yell at him, even though it's not really his fault. There just aren't many roles for Asian actors. Not that it was worse 20 years ago; it's basically the same now.

 

 

I really like this show, but it drives me nuts that they get the details about mid-90s Orlando so wrong!

 

I'm in Seattle and I kind of like it when shows are set here but get the details wrong. It's just fun to me for some reason. When Frasier was on in the early 90s, I used to talk about it on Usenet (that was the internet for dinosaurs, in case anyone doesn't know) -- alt.tv.frasier, I think -- and those of us who lived here would dissect it. There was one episode that was entirely centered around Frasier not being able to get to the Space Needle from downtown Seattle (monorail wasn't working, couldn't get a cab, didn't have bus fare), which was hilarious to us because that's about an eight-minute walk. And once he was on the phone telling someone to meet him at Cafe Nervosa (the bookstore/coffee shop where the show was often set) and said it was located at 3rd and Pike, which, at the time, was a pretty bad section of downtown (it still is, but we're used to it now). Lots of boarded up storefronts and drug sales and public urination. Not really the kind of place Niles and Frasier would meet for lattes every day. I remember that instance in particular because someone claiming to be a show producer came in to the Usenet group and blasted us for nitpicking the show, but we made fun of him until he left. Sometimes I miss unmoderated forums.

[Camera One]

This was a good episode in that both subplots were amusing, probably one of the first for Eddie and his friends.  They need to lay off on the cutesiness of the lines they write for Evan.  Emery's sudden anger at the afraid of horses thing in the endcredits was pretty funny.

[NutMeg]

That's the lovely Kathleen Rose Perkins. If you have Showtime, try to catch Episodes. I swear, she's the MVP of that sitcom.

Hear, hear! 

[Lawgiver]

 

I think at some point things may have changed and then changed again?  I went to school in Philly in the early 90s and I am positive the Wawa sold beer.  There was a Wawa right next to the freshmen dorm and that's where many went to get beer.  I remember going over there with one of my friends whenever her older brother came to visit.  I think maybe they might have been an exception though, because I know that nowadays in PA you have to go to a packaged goods store.

 

Hey, Blackwing - I'm a fellow Penn alum! I definitely remember getting beer at the Wawa on Spruce. (I graduated in '93- you?) 

 

I moved to North Florida in '97, so am digging the references of both the Goldbergs and FOtB. I definitely don't miss junior high and all the crazy uncertainties of dating.

[Ottis]

I really liked that nobody else besides Jessica was implying that Louis was a jokey Chinese stereotype. The morning show folks just thought he was hilarious, and being Chinese had nothing to do with it. If they had actually been racist, it would have been painful to watch.

 

 

Yes, sometimes it isn't A Thing. Those vacuous morning TV hosts just thought Louis was funny. As a viewer, I was annoyed when out of the blue Jessica tried to make it into the "funny Chinese guy" thing. 

 

And as terrible as Long Duk Dong was in retrospect, I remember when that movie came out, his bits were among the funniest and got the greatest reaction from the audience. I prefer to think of him as an elderly grandparent who doesn't get why some terms are racist, and save my anger for more current, relevant examples.

[mtlchick]

 

This and the Goldbergs has renewed my faith in the sitcom.

 

I think ABC has found their niche in the family sitcom.  This, The Goldbergs, Black-ish are now can't miss shows for me.  And even though I don't watch The Middle and Last Man Standing (and Modern Family is showing its age) it's clear this is something they're comfortable with doing and why I hope they don't screw up the Uncle Buck reboot.