Fresh Air Episode Summary: Best Of: Comedy Writer Michael Schur / Actor Jimmy O. Yang

Release Date: November 23, 2024

Introduction

In this special "Best Of" episode of NPR's Fresh Air, host Terry Gross revisits memorable conversations with two influential figures in the television and comedy landscape: Michael Schur, the acclaimed writer and creator behind beloved TV series such as Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and The Good Place, and Jimmy O. Yang, the versatile actor known for his roles in Silicon Valley, Crazy Rich Asians, and the newly released Hulu series Interior Chinatown. This episode delves into their creative processes, the ethical dimensions of their work, and their personal journeys within the entertainment industry.

Part 1: Michael Schur – Exploring Ethics Through Comedy

A. Background and Career Highlights

Michael Schur is celebrated for his ability to intertwine humor with profound philosophical questions. Having penned for The Office and co-created hits like Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Schur has established himself as a master storyteller who doesn't shy away from tackling complex themes.

B. A Man on the Inside: Inspiration and Creation

Schur discusses his latest project, A Man on the Inside, a Netflix comedy series starring Ted Danson. Inspired by the Chilean documentary The Mole Agent, the show revolves around Charles (Danson), an elderly man who goes undercover in an assisted living facility to solve a family heirloom theft.

[09:25] Michael Schur: “...everyone I know who saw it had the same exact feeling, which was I should call my mom or I need to call my grandpa or I should hang out with my kids, more like.”

C. Ethical Dilemmas in Storytelling

A central theme in Schur's work is the exploration of ethical decisions. In A Man on the Inside, Charles grapples with the morality of deception as he secretly investigates the theft, raising questions about privacy and trust.

[14:01] Michael Schur: “It's a question that we've asked ourselves as writers over the course of the show whether what Charles was doing was, strictly speaking, ethical.”

D. Collaborating with Ted Danson

Schur highlights the dynamic partnership with Ted Danson, praising his relentless pursuit of excellence.

[15:10] Michael Schur: “He just has this unrelenting desire to be as good as he can be. Even now, after how many successful series and shows and movies and everything else... it's a constant dialogue with him.”

E. Philosophy and Personal Motivations

Philosophy plays a pivotal role in Schur's narrative approach, particularly evident in his previous work, The Good Place. He shares how his personal reflections on ethics and morality fuel his storytelling.

[20:36] Michael Schur: “...philosophy was able to talk about ethics and morality and other topics without limiting them... Organized religion was like, this is the way the world works, but it's only for this group of people.”

F. The Changing Landscape of Television

Schur expresses nostalgia for the traditional television model, lamenting the shift towards shorter seasons driven by streaming platforms.

[29:18] Michael Schur: “The biggest change, obviously, is just the shift to the streaming model... TV writing is much closer to movie writing, I think, than it was when I was first breaking in.”

G. The Meaning of Work

Discussing his passion for writing, Schur emphasizes that his work isn't just a job but a source of immense joy and fulfillment.

[31:22] Michael Schur: “The work that I do is incredibly fun... sitting in a room with a dozen really funny people writing stories and making jokes like that barely counts as work to me.”

Part 2: Jimmy O. Yang – Breaking Stereotypes in Interior Chinatown

A. Career Journey and Breakthroughs

Jimmy O. Yang has carved a niche for himself with his distinctive comedic style and poignant performances. From his breakout role in Silicon Valley to his impactful portrayal in Crazy Rich Asians, Yang continues to challenge and redefine Asian representation in media.

B. Interior Chinatown: Concept and Themes

In Interior Chinatown, Yang plays Willis Wu, an aspiring actor striving to break out of stereotypical roles within a fictionalized version of Chinatown. The show is a satirical take on the limited opportunities available to Asian Americans in Hollywood and society at large.

[37:48] Emily (Interviewer): “...I really connected to the role. And of course, the book and the script were so well written by Charlie Yu. I felt really passionate about it.”

C. Challenging and Subverting Stereotypes

Yang and his co-interviewers discuss how the show cleverly addresses and inverts prevalent Asian American stereotypes, offering depth and complexity to characters typically confined to background roles.

[39:44] Emily (Interviewer): “...the show sets up Asian American stereotypes and then subverts them... like the tagline of the show is me getting kicked out of a window, you know, and which is a fun scene.”

D. Personal Experiences as an Immigrant

Yang shares his personal journey as an immigrant from Hong Kong to the United States, highlighting the cultural adjustments and identity challenges he faced, which inform his authentic portrayal of Willis Wu.

[41:47] Emily (Yang): “...I was always in the background of my life and I always have to find a way to sneak in.”

E. Embracing and Assimilating American Culture

Despite his roots, Yang speaks about his efforts to assimilate and embrace various aspects of American culture, from hip-hop to fantasy football, blending his heritage with his American experiences.

[44:36] Emily (Yang): “...I got into hip hop. I started making beats. I thought that, like, make me instead of like the weird foreign kid into like the cool kind of hip hop kid.”

F. Training for Action Scenes

Transitioning to his role in Interior Chinatown, Yang discusses the physical preparation required for fight scenes, adding another dimension to his versatile acting skill set.

[49:12] Emily (Yang): “It was interesting because in the book and also in the script of the pilot, Willis is supposed to have trained in kung fu all his life, but he's not supposed to be very good... It was also very interesting... like learning a new language in a way.”

G. The Importance of Representation

Yang emphasizes the significance of his work in providing nuanced representations of Asian Americans, aiming to inspire and pave the way for future actors from diverse backgrounds.

[41:47] Emily (Yang): “...the Asian American experience, where a lot of times we feel invisible and that invisibility has been internalized...”

Conclusion

This Fresh Air episode offers an insightful exploration into the minds of Michael Schur and Jimmy O. Yang, highlighting their contributions to television and their commitment to enriching storytelling through ethical considerations and authentic representation. Schur's passion for integrating philosophy with comedy and Yang's dedication to breaking stereotypes underscore the evolving landscape of modern television, where meaningful narratives and diverse voices take center stage.

Notable Quotes

• Michael Schur at [09:25]: “...everyone I know who saw it had the same exact feeling, which was I should call my mom or I need to call my grandpa or I should hang out with my kids, more like.”

• Michael Schur at [14:01]: “It's a question that we've asked ourselves as writers over the course of the show whether what Charles was doing was, strictly speaking, ethical.”

• Michael Schur at [15:10]: “He just has this unrelenting desire to be as good as he can be. Even now, after how many successful series and shows and movies and everything else... it's a constant dialogue with him.”

• Jimmy O. Yang at [37:48]: “I really connected to the role. And of course, the book and the script were so well written by Charlie Yu. I felt really passionate about it.”

• Jimmy O. Yang at [41:47]: “I was always in the background of my life and I always have to find a way to sneak in.”

• Jimmy O. Yang at [44:36]: “I got into hip hop. I started making beats. I thought that, like, make me instead of like the weird foreign kid into like the cool kind of hip hop kid.”

• Jimmy O. Yang at [49:12]: “It was interesting because in the book and also in the script of the pilot, Willis is supposed to have trained in kung fu all his life, but he's not supposed to be very good... It was also very interesting... like learning a new language in a way.”

This summary encapsulates the rich discussions and insights shared by Michael Schur and Jimmy O. Yang during their interviews on Fresh Air. Their narratives provide a deeper understanding of the intersection between comedy, ethics, and representation in contemporary television.