HBO will bring a real-life family of crazy rich Asians to television

The Ho family will be the subject of a new reality series.

HBO is betting that audiences can't get enough of crazy, rich Asians spending a lot of money for material goods and designer names.

Wlecome to the opulent, over-the-top world of the Ho family. 

(Editor's Note: The "House of Ho" premieres Thursday, Dec. 10 on HBO Max.)

HBO Max will bring a new docu-series from Lionsgate TV, T"he House of Ho." The inaugural season of this comedic, full-hearted doc style series in the spirit of Crazy Rich Asians will include 8 thirty-minute episodes.

Led by patriarch Binh Ho and his wife, Hue Ho, the power couple 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 Ho's. 

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. While Binh and Hue have laid down a golden foundation for their children, Judy Ho and Washington Ho (yes, named after the nation's founding father and whose kids are named Lincoln and Roosevelt), they are not exempt from the constant pressure to achieve and to live up to their parents' lofty expectations. 

Despite the power struggles, at the end of the day, the Ho household is filled with love, laughter, and a few designer handbags, of course.

"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," said Jennifer O'Connell, Executive Vice President of Original Non-fiction and Kids Programming, HBO Max. "There's great pride in being a Ho and they are ready to give the world a seat at their luxurious table."

"The Ho family is wildly engaging and we're very excited to partner with HBO Max in bringing this hilarious and exuberant series to viewers," said Alice Dickens-Koblin, Lionsgate SVP and Head of Unscripted Programming.The reality show is seet to premiere in the Spring of 2020.

The members of the Ho Family the show will focus on are:

Binh Ho, 71, despite being the super strict patriarch of the Ho family, Binh has nothing but good intentions. Originally from Vietnam, his hard work has paid off and he is now the owner of a successful bank. Although Binh is living the 'American Dream' he feels the need to control every move his children make.

Hue Ho, 66, is Binh's loving wife and the matriarch of the family. Hue is always the perfect looking, highly critical mom who thinks her children can do no wrong. She often defends the children when Binh seems unreasonable, especially over Washington's hard-partying ways. Her love for her family is rivaled only by her love of cooking, which is on full display at the weekly Sunday dinner she hosts. The authentic Vietnamese fare is mouth-watering but the drama at the table is even juicier.

Judy Ho, 39, is the first born of Binh and Hue Ho. The self-pegged responsible and reliable one, Judy was the perfect candidate to become a lawyer and did so with flying colors as she is the consummate perfectionist. She is a mom to three kids and is going through a divorce.

Washington Ho, 38, is the "former" playboy of the family with a reputation of dating questionable women and partying way too hard. Once he met Lesley, his future wife who would eventually steal his heart, he was forced to settle down ... a little. Now, he's a devoted father of two adorable kids, Roosevelt and Lincoln, but all of this is about to change as he attempts to prove he's a changed man and ready to step out of his father's looming shadow - he just hasn't quite figured out how.

Lesley Ho, 34, is Washington's independent, outspoken, down-to-earth and loving Vietnamese-American wife who juggles being the mother of their two beautiful children with her career as a pharmacist. Growing up in a small town, middle-class family in Oklahoma, she's had to adjust to the over the top lifestyle that comes with being a Ho.

Aunt Tina, 58, is the Aunt that likes to be noticed and makes sure that everybody does. From her purple streaked hair to her tight dresses, Aunt Tina is all about...well, Tina. She likes to work hard and play harder. As one of the younger immigrants of the Ho family, she grew up in Vietnam before following in her older brother's footsteps and moving to America.

Cousin Sammy, 29, should probably have her life a little more together but instead, lives for the moment even if it doesn't always work in her favor. Since she and Washington are so close, he decided to offer her a job as his head of marketing.

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Crazy Rich Asians director supports script writer's protest

Director Jon Chu, left, supports Adele Lim's decision to reject co-writing sequels to 'Crazy Rich Asians'

A week after the new broke that the Crazy Rich Asians movie's co-writer, Adele Lim, had decided to not write the sequels because of a huge 10-1 pay disparity, CRA director Jon M. Chu wrote a lengthy tweet in support of her decision.

“For those of you who are asking, you bet your a— I stand with Adele!” Chu wrote. “I believed in her before we ever shot the movie and believe in her beyond. As many of you can imagine, negotiations are tough and more often than not messy — no matter who you are in this industry.”

Chu, 39, went on to explain that a second offer was made to the Malaysian American writer but by that time, Lim had moved on to other projects and ultimately rejected the offer that was reportedly fairer.

On Sunday, Lim made it clear that she remains personally close to the Chu, the cast and crew of the ground-breaking film. Close friendships developed among many members of the cast and crew because they rallied around the common cause of Asian and Asian American representation and inclusion in the Hollywood studio culture.

When CRA first showed success at the box office and was praised by critics, Chu said, "It's more than a movie. It's a movement."

So it was surprising that the CRA cast, crew and producers didn't rally around Lim's cause. Monday, Chu tweeted his message in response to the controversy:

Shortly thereafter, actress Gemma Chan joined in and retweeted Chu's post. "Pay disparity disproportinately affects women and POC and there is still a long way to go ..." Chan wrote.

Breakout actress, Awkwafina, also tweeted out her support:

Lim rejected the first offer which was about one-tenth of the $1-million offered to co-writer Pete Chiarella. After he leaerned of the pay disparity, Chiarella reportedly agreed to give up some of his pay in order to lessen the pay gap.

However, by that time, Lim had moved on. She signed a four-year deal with Disney and was already working on the animated tale of Raya and the Last Dragon based on a Southeast Asian myth.  Filipina Canadian actress Cassandra Steele and Awkwafina will be doing the voices of the main characters. The film is set to be released in November 2020.

Chu ended his tweet by saying that the door remains open for Lim to return to CRA's sequels with the hope that the contract dispute did not reflect their professional and personal relationship.

Chu concluded: “That said, the door is always open for Adele and if there’s another shot at making it work I know we are all for it but that’s a personal and private conversation between ourselves. In the meantime, thank you for being loud, thank you for caring and your support. More to do. More to say. More to learn.”

UPDATED: Sept. 10, 4 p.m. PDT to include Awkwafina's comment.

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Kevin Tsujihara's downfall continues

Former  Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara

This shouldn't come as a surprise. Deadline reports that Kevin Tsujihara, who resigned as chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. last week, is being kicked off (dramatic pause) the Commission on Eliminating Sexual Harassment. 

Tsujihara’s was forced to resign it was revealed he’d engaged in sexual misconduct with actress Charlotte Kirk and then attempted to help her find roles in Warner Bros. films. 

The Hollywood-based Commission was formed in late 2017 in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Its commissioners include the heads of the major studios, networks, talent agencies, record labels, trade associations and industry unions. It is chaired by Anita Hill, whose accusations against U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas made sexual harassment part of America's lexicon.

The pending ouster of Tsujihara comes after actress Olivia Munn, whose mother is Chinese, lambasted the Japanese American CEO for being part of the misogynistic culture that pervades the entertainment industry.

Olivia Munn and Brett Ratner.

Munn, who has been one of the more outspoken actresses in the #MeToo movement,  accused Tsujihara of fostering a culture that did not take sexual misconduct seriously, as he had approved a deal with director/producer Brett Ratner despite him publicly lying about sleeping with her.

“Since #MeToo people often ask how the abuses were so prolific. It’s easy if the people at the top don’t care…” Munn tweeted. “In 2013, Tsujihara approved Brett Ratner’s very unorthodox $450m financing deal, just 2 yrs after he had to apologize for using homophobic slurs & lying about me.”

After Munn wrote a book about an unnamed director masturbating in front of her, which the Hollywood rumor mill speculated that it was Ratner, Ratner denied the inference and in an apparent reprisal against Munn, bragged that he allegedly had sex with Munn numerous times.

“I wrote a book where I discussed him anonymously. A year later, (Ratner) named himself and went on to lie about me. A few days after that, he was on the Howard Stern show publicly apologizing for lying, saying he was sorry. Yet, two years after that moment, he gets a $450 million licensing deal with Warner Bros,” she previously told Rogue magazine.

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Warner Bros CEO Kevin Tsujihara steps down after sexual misconduct allegations

Kevin Tsujihara:' It is in Warner Bros.’ best interest that I step down as Chairman and CEO.' 

ASAM NEWS

Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara has left Warner Bros. amid an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Days after the Japanese American CEO was given new responsibilities at the company earlier this month, The Hollywood Reporter published a story detailing allegations of sexual misconduct. The article alleged that Tsujihara helped promote the career of actress Charlotte Kirk, with whom he was having a sexual relationship. According to CNBC, Tsujihara was being investigated for allegedly promising acting roles in exchange for sex.

WarnerMedia previously stated that a prior investigation found no evidence of misconduct.

“Through her spokesperson, the actress has publicly denied any impropriety in her casting, and our prior investigation did not find otherwise,” a WarnerMedia rep says in a statement. “Whenever we receive new allegations, it is our standard practice to conduct an appropriate investigation. And that is what we will do here.”

According to CNN, Tsujihara’s lawyer said he had no direct role in the hiring of Kirk. After the article was released, however, Tsujihara apologized for “mistakes in (his) personal life.”

The 54-year old has been with Warner Bros. for over 24 years. He became CEO in 2013 and the chairman a year later.

“Kevin has contributed greatly to the studio’s success over the past 25 years and for that we thank him,” WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey said in a statement Monday. “Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the company’s leadership expectations and could impact the company’s ability to execute going forward.”

Tsujihara also sent his colleagues a memo on Monday telling them he planned to step down. His full letter follows:

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past week and a half, I have been reflecting on how the attention on my past actions might impact the company’s future. After lengthy introspection, and discussions with John Stankey over the past week, we have decided that it is in Warner Bros.’ best interest that I step down as Chairman and CEO 

I love this company and the people that make it so great. I’ve been honored to head this organization and work alongside all of its talented employees over the past 25 years. Together we’ve built this studio into an unequivocal leader in the industry. 

However, it has become clear that my continued leadership could be a distraction and an obstacle to the company’s continued success. The hard work of everyone within our organization is truly admirable, and I won’t let media attention on my past detract from all the great work the team is doing. 

I am overwhelmed and grateful for the outpouring of support I have received from colleagues and industry partners during this difficult time. 

Again, I am so proud of the great work that you do every day to make Warner Bros. the gold standard in our industry. It has been a pleasure to work alongside each and every one of you, and I wish you all the absolute best.

Sincerely,
Kevin

Up until he resigned, Tsujihara was the highest ranking Asian American in charge of a major Hollywood studio. Under his leadership, Warner Bros. helped produce the groundbreaking Crazy Rich Asians motion picture, the first studio-backed film with an all-Asian cast since the Joy Luck Club 25 years ago.

It was Tsujihara's passion and advocacy for the Crazy Rich Asians project that tilted the filmmakers to choose Warner Bros. as its Hollywood partner in 2016. “It’s not coincidental that [Warner Bros. C.E.O.] Kevin Tsujihara is the first Asian American studio boss,” said CRA executive prodcuer Nina Jacobson.

Views From the Edge conributed to this report.

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Warner Bros. sued for being anti-Asian

ASAM NEWS

A former executive for the now shuttered digital site, DramaFever, is accusing parent company Warner Bros of discrimination, reports Forbes.

A lawsuit filed by Chung H. Chang alleges the Hollywood studio shut down the site to cover up discrimination against Asians. The site had 400,000 subscribers and was purchased by WB in 2016, only to be shut down this past October.

Drama Fever featured videos from Korea.

According to Huff Post, Chang alleged Warner Bros found jobs for all its White executives, but let go all the Asian executives including himself. The lawsuit states that in one early meeting after the purchase, a studio executive “expressed surprise that the Korean executives did not have accents,” and called their English skills “amazing.” Those Korean executives were all Americans.

“High-level White executives at Warner Bros. made offensive race-based comments and discriminated against and retaliated against Asian Americans even though they reported to an Asian American CEO,” the lawsuit stated.

This controversy comes on the heels of allegations of sexual misconduct of Warner Bros. CEO. WB CEO Kevin Tsujihara is Japanese American. He now faces accusations of an inappropriate sexual relationship with a young address who he supposedly tried to help get roles.

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Sequel to 'Crazy Rich Asians' may be filmed in Shang-Hai

WARNER BROS.

Crazy Rich Girlfriend's' sequel will expand the story of two favorite chracters, Astrid and Charlie (Gemma Chan, Herry Shum, Jr. respectively).

ASAM NEWS

PRODUCERS of the cultural phenomenon Crazy Rich Asians have announced their intentions to shoot the sequel in Shanghai, reports Variety .
China Rich Girlfriend, the second book of Kevin Kwan's trilogy. takes place two years after Crazy Rich Asians and is largely set in China.

Those familiar with Wang's novels know that the story continues to follow Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) and Nick Young (Henry Golding) relationship and also delves deeper into the storyline of Astrid Leong Teo (Gemma Chan) and Charlie Wu (Harry Shum Jr.).

The president of SK Global, John Penotti, made his intentions known at the Chinese American Film Festival’s Co-Production Summit in Los Angeles.

““We certainly tried to make the (first) film as a China-U.S. co-production. But (as a company, we) haven’t been very good at doing co-productions.”

China has been slow in allowing Crazy Rich Asians to even be shown in China. It is not scheduled to be released there until Nov 30.

The approval process was a long one.

“We were never told there was something specific. There was an upheaval over the approval process over the last few months. We fell prey to that, rather than anything content-related,” said Penotti.

Given the long approval process for the screening, permission to shoot in China certainly is not guaranteed.
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Work begins on sequel to 'Crazy Rich Asians'

WARNER BROS.

Nico Santos, left, and Constance Wu, center in 'Crazy Rich Asians.'

ASAM NEWS

FANS of Crazy Rich Asians are getting what they want. A sequel is in the works just one week after its national debut last week.
The Hollywood Reporter reports director Jon Chu will get to work on the follow up after completing his adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit, In the Heights, which is scheduled for released on June 26, 2020.

The creative team, with producers Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson and John Penotti, plan to join Chu for the sequel. Deadline confirms screenwriters Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim will once again join forces. 

Warner Bros will likely give the greenlight to the project once a script is completed. With a $35 million dollar haul in just the first five days, few have doubt about what WB CEO and chairman Kevin Tsujihara will decide. His risk casting an all-Asian cast has clearly paid off.

“Making a sequel won’t be a cynical play,” producer Brad Simpson told Deadline because Kwan “always had a roadmap” with the books.

If you haven’t seen the movie yet, don’t walk out on the credits. You’ll get a preview of what the sequel will be about just a minute or so into the credit roll.

"We have a plan with Kevin [Kwan] for the next two films," said Simpson. For the uninitiated, there are three books in Kevin Kwan’s series. The others are China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems.

Based on Kwan's second book, the pending sequel will follow in the steps of CRA by featuring an all-Asian cast. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Henry Golding, Constance Wu and Michelle Yeoh all have options to return for the sequels.

Golding has already indicated he’d like to return.

“I hope there’s something in the future,” he tells THR. “It would be so much fun to get everybody back together, back to sweaty old Singapore.”

Views From the Edge contributed to this report.

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