The shows I’m the One I Want and Dr. Ken have some similar attributes based on the way that they have been presented. To begin with, the main characters in both shows are of Asian origin. This is not something that is very common with American TV shows as the Asian casts tend to play inferior roles. Such roles are usually occupied by White and Black Americans. This is an indication of how these shows have defied the norm, and this works in paving the way for other TV shows of such nature.

Another element at play in both TV shows is that of narrating one’s life through the use of comedy. Margaret Cho takes the initiative of narrating her life’s struggles. She talks about the struggles she had with the network executives and producers of All-American Girl. They viewed her as being too fat, and they wanted her to shed some weight. This aspect jeopardized her health, and the misery drove her to addiction. Dr. Ken also explores his life struggles through the use of comedy. His narrations make it clear that he is working at a poorly ran Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Dr. Ken encounters varied family struggles too from his wife who is a therapist, a popular and self-centered daughter, and a son that is brilliant but socially clueless.

Both TV shows also portray the element of challenging compulsory heterosexuality. This is where heterosexuality is viewed as the natural obligation or inclination, and everybody in the society is expected to adopt it regardless of their personal sexual references. This is a norm that is strictly observed in many societal settings. In I’m the One I Want, Margret Cho has gone against this norm by supporting the gay community. She regards herself as being a “fag hag”. She goes ahead and reiterates that “if it weren’t for gay men, I wouldn’t talk to men……straight men are scary”. Gay men make her feel more comfortable. In Dr. Ken, the aspect of challenging compulsory heterosexuality is viewed in the way Clark Leslie is portrayed as gay. He is openly gay and tops it up with being a drama queen who overreacts to many situations.  Despite this aspect, other people like him and they co-exist quite well.

There seems to be a pattern in Asian American TV shows. This is more on the storylines and the characters involved. Among the most common patterns are struggles with life and cultural issues. These aspects were evident in both I’m the One I Want and Dr. Ken. Margret Cho was struggling with her TV and personal lives due to the interconnection established. Dr. Ken, on the other hand, is portrayed as struggling with his family on varied issues. Fresh off the Boat is also another TV show that illuminates this issue. The TV show revolves around Eddie Huang’s Taiwanese family that comes to settle in Orlando, Florida. Huang’s mother struggles with culture clash since Florida does not exhibit a large Asian population. Eddie on his part also struggles with assimilation in school. Margaret Cho also struggled with cultural and family issues in the series All-American Girl that was being aired in the 1990s. She was always at odds with her mother who wanted her to get married to a Korean husband.

 
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