Written by Peyton Brock, Photos by Peyton Brock and courtesy of SCAD
“Awkwafina is Nora from Queens.” The title hooks you into the show from the get-go.
Friday, the second day of SCAD’s aTVfest, an episode of the new show “Awkwafina is Nora from Queens” was showcased. The show, which is written by Awkwafina herself, details the misadventures of Nora, a zany Asian American slacker, and her eccentric family. From the titular Nora, to her good-natured but hapless dad, to her sweet but sassy grandmother, the show’s main cast invigorates it with an upbeat, fun atmosphere. “Grandma Love Nora,” the episode that aired at the festival, focused on a plot involving Nora and her cousin, Edmund, vying for the attention of their grandmother and coming up with an innovative new idea for an app.
The show no-doubt engages the audience in its world and characters effectively. One could conclude this is a result of it being Awkwafina telling a fictionalized version of her life and self. It has an earnest sense of joy and fun that shines through every joke, scene and character. The show is also a fantastic piece of representation, as it depicts an Asian-American family that is uniquely personal and universal, making them easy for the audience to connect with.
After the screening, actor BD Wong, who plays Nora’s father, Wally, gave an entertaining and insightful Q&A. When the moderator pointed out that Wally is a more comedic character than he typically plays, Wong was surprised. He usually thinks of himself as always striving to make those in both his professional and personal life laugh. However, Wong did admit that yes, he is known for more serious and even villainous roles, which is why playing a character as wholesome as Wally brings him so much enjoyment. While Wong has enjoyed past characters, he was drawn into the role of Wally right away. “[I am] thankful for [my time on] Law and Order SVU but am glad to be moving on to more character driven projects,” Wong said.
“Awkwafina is Nora from Queens” is the type of fun sitcom that has a wholesome staying power. It brings the viewer back time-and-time again for more entertaining hygienics, while also normalizing on-screen diversity in a casual and positive manor.
