Yahoo News CBBC Chinese family sitcom criticised for racial insensitivity
CBBC has been strongly criticised by British East Asians over the development of a sitcom – about a Chinese family running a restaurant – which perpetuates racial stereotypes.
In an open letter to CBBC and production company Twenty Twenty Television, BEATS (British East Asians in Theatre and on Screen) also expresses concerns over the lack of British East Asians in the writers room and calls for all scripts to be penned by British East Asian writers.
Iron Fist star Jessica Henwick and Harry Potter's Katie Leung are among around 50 British East Asian creatives who have undersigned the letter.
Grateful our stories are finally being told. But please let us tell them. Support by adding your name. 👇 https://t.co/QCshs7F2ND
- Katie Leung (@Kt_Leung) February 13, 2019
Living with the Lams was given a 10-episode order and is set to begin filming in August. According to BEATS, only two of the 10 scripts are planned to be written by British East Asians.
Broadcast reports that the first two scripts include a "'mish-mash' of dialects of languages" and a scene where one character takes dumplings out of an oven, among other moments. A journalist for the publication adds that the script "twice features a character calling another 'chonger'. And a grandma who sits around eating fortune cookies".
The pilot script for Living with the Lams, which convinced CBBC it has legs, twice features a character calling another 'chonger'. And a grandma who sits around eating fortune cookies.
- Robin Parker (@robinparker55) February 13, 2019
BEATS claims that any concerns raised with Twenty Twenty Television "have been routinely dismissed and ignored", and says that the production company believes "there are no British East Asian writers experienced enough to write children’s comedy which is patently untrue".
The letter says that a proposal was put forward that British East Asian writers could be "mentored" by non-East Asian writers "with no writing credit and less payment for the East Asian writers for this work".
"This is patronising and a colonial mindset that needs to be dismantled," BEATS continues.
A BBC spokesperson, commenting on the letter, told Digital Spy: "We’re really proud of our track record in making diverse and culturally relevant output for our young audience. We believe they deserve the best, which is why we work hard to find the most talented writers and producers to create the most entertaining and engaging shows.
“We always seek guidance, advice, and expert input for culturally sensitive content. We’re still in the development stages of Living with the Lams and so the editorial process is on-going.
"We do not appoint comedy writers or producers based solely on their cultural affiliations or nationality but we’re confident that we’ll create a show that successfully reflects and celebrates this community.”
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