Debut of HBO's new reality show 'House of Ho' delayed

HBO

The cast of 'House of Ho.'

House of Ho, the reality show/docu-series about a Houston Vietnamese family has postponed the debut of the show that builds off the popularity of the ground-breaking 2018 movie Crazy Rich Asians.

A new date has not been given though it may start in the fall. An HBO Max spokesperson said the network felt the series would be more suitable in the fall and holiday season.

House of Ho chronicles the life of the Bayou City extended family of entrepreneur Binh Ho and his wife Hue, has been moved from its announced July 16 start date. A new date has not been given though it may start in the fall. An HBO Max spokesperson said the network felt the series would be more suitable in the fall and holiday season.

HBO Max website describes the show: “House of Ho…chronicles the daily lives of patriarch Binh Ho, matriarch Hue Ho, their daughter Judy Ho, their son Washington Ho and his wife Lesley Ho, Aunt Tina, and Cousin Sammy. Power couple Binh and his wife Hue immigrated from Vietnam to the United States with little money, relying on hard work to establish the ultimate American dream. They have built a multi-million dollar bank, a real estate development company and a new generation of American Hos. The series pulls back the curtain of their lavish Houston lifestyle and showcases the tight family connections that unite them as well as the multi-generational outrageous drama that ensues.”

Jennifer O’Connell, executive vice president of original non-fiction and kids programming at HBO Max, said in a statement, “Rarely do you come across a family that is so rich in so many ways – not just in wealth, but in heart, traditions, and love for each other. There’s great pride in being a Ho and they are ready to give the world a seat at their luxurious table.”

Unfortunately, House of Ho will be part of the original programming offered on HBO Max, a subscription streaming service. That means the viewer has to pay extra to watch shows that used to be offered for free. It's the entertainment industry's nickel-and-diming the viewers, a practice that must stop if they are to retain audience interest.

The Houston-based show is the second reality series this year centering around an Asian American family. Family Karma, which just completed its first season on Bravo, followed four Indian families in South Florida.

The box office and critical success of Crazy Rich Asians has opened the doors for an increased interest in Asian-themed and Asian-led shows. House of Ho is debuting at a time of increased presence of Asian Americans in television in general with such shows as Never Have I Ever and comedian Hasan Minhaj's Patriot Games on Netflix and Awkwafina is Nora from Queens on Comedy Central. In addition, movies such as To All the Boys I Ever Loved (Parts 1 & 2),The Farewell and Tigertail are also available on Netflix.

While the selection of AAPI-led shows are more numerous since the success of Crazy RIch Asians and ABC's sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, which just wound up its final and seventh season, they are still a drop in the bucket in the context of the hundreds of products produced in Hollywood.