Product Description Originally broadcast in 1994-1995 on ABC, the show featured Cho as the very Westernized Margaret Kim, a San Francisco hipster delightfully at odds with her traditional-but-screwy Korean family, and allowed viewers a comic glimpse of the culture clashes that constantly ensued. Margaret Cho was recognized at a young age as a comedic talent. Arsenio Hall introduced her to late-night audiences, Bob Hope put her on a prime-time special and, seemingly overnight, Margaret Cho became a national celebrity. Her tours and films for "I'm The One That I Want," "Notorious C.H.O." and "Revolution" met with critical acclaim. .com A dimly remembered 1994 series that lasted a scant 19 episodes may not seem like a good candidate for DVD release, but All-American Girl deserves a second look. For Margaret Cho fans, this was the series that helped the diva of the disenfranchised find her comedic voice. For sitcom buffs, this series' tumultuous history is a textbook cautionary tale. And for actual fans of the show, it will be fun to be reunited with the wisecracking, TV-addicted Grandma (Amy Hill), the series' breakout character. All-American Girl was created as a showcase for stand-up comedian Cho, and was the first primetime series to feature a Korean family. But network interference took its toll on Cho's health (she recalls in one of the episode commentaries that she was compelled to crash-diet after being informed by execs that "I was too fat to play myself") and the show's creative direction, dulling Cho's cutting edge. Set in San Francisco, All-American Girl is a culture clash/generation gap comedy. Cho's free-spirited Valley Girlish Margaret works at a department store and lives with her tradition-bound bookseller parents (Clyde Kusatsu, Jodi Long); her Grandma; brother Stuart (B.D. Wong), a successful doctor; and her younger, assimilated brother, Eric (J.B. Quon). Margaret's relationship with her imperious mother is particularly adversarial. The show seemed to be finding its footing when it was canceled, and some episodes offer a tantalizing glimpse of what might have been had the show's creators been left alone. "Pulp Sitcom" is a clever homage to Pulp Fiction, complete with a guest-star appearance by Quentin Tarantino as a purveyor of bootleg videos. "The Apartment" spoofs MTV's The Real World as Margaret shares an apartment with her two co-workers, one of whom (comedian Judy Gold) has a penchant for walking around nude. The show took a fleeting Seinfeld-ian turn with "Take My Family, Please," in which Margaret performs a stand-up routine about her family, who are in the audience and are not amused. In solo episode commentaries and in an on-camera conversation with Amy Hill, Cho thoughtfully reflects on where All-American Girl succeeded and why it ultimately failed. But her through-the-Hollywood-looking-glass experience inspired her breakout performance piece, the highly recommended I'm the One That I Want, in which she chronicles the series' demise much more candidly and graphically. This is the unexpurgated Margaret we know and love. --Donald Liebenson
R**G
How come this didn't last more then one season??
I was excited to learn that they put the whole series of All American Girl in a DVD collection. I was a young teenager when this came out, the characters and stories spoke to me. I understand that some of the humor came from stereotypes and some dislike that, but stereotypes wouldn't exist if there was some truth to it. My mom for example, sorta fits Mrs. Kim in the series. I really thoguht the episodes were funny and well written. I guess America wasn't ready for an all Asian comedy family. It is a shame. I can't beleive this show is almost 20 years old. I find the series still funny. I just wish it last at least 3-4 years. It is a shame. Anyway, if you missed the show or have vague memories of it, I say get the DVD set and enjoy what could have been a great series. While Margaret did poke fun at the lack of success of her show, her commentary with Amy Hill on select episodes were great to listen to.
L**Y
This was great ;-)
This is a fantastic series. I was so upset when they cancelled it, because I thought it was funny as anything. Margaret Cho had the best lines and the whole dysfunctional family were hillarious. This is a must see. You'll laugh until you cry. She was so snappy and quick and sarcastic, and just wait till you see the Grandma. All she cares about is her tv shows. She's hilarious.The funniest episode is the Pulp Sitcom with Quentin Tarentino. Especially if you are a fan of Pulp Fiction you will see so many takes on it. From the clean up scene, the story of the watch, the diner and the car. It's quite cool and was probably really hip back then.This dvd set is a must for all Margaret Cho fans and fans of the show. It was and still is quite funny.
A**R
The concept was ahead of it's time, audiences & the general public were't inclusive enough back then
I think this show could have seen more success if it had come out 10-20 years later. Society hadn't yet normalized showing any interest in a show featuring ethnic minority characters as the leads or immigrant stories as valuable & important. The marginalization & otherness of Asians & Asian Americans is what prevented many demographics from even considering watching it to give it a chance. Well, it wasn't perfect it was a good quality show that boxed in by the predjudices & implicit bias of its time.
D**I
All american girl - the complete series
When All American Girl was first shown in Austrlia is was at 11:30pm and it was often missed, rescheduled for not shown. Seeing the complete series brought back great memories and also showed that the scope of this show was not only funny but also a real sign of the times. The only let-down to the DVD is the extra interview at the end, it went on for too long and said a nothing about the show. Great 90's flashback TV
M**.
i miss this show!
this was a tad famous for being the only all asian cast show ever, til now with 'fresh off the boat' and since it starred margaret cho (1 of 2 of my fave comedians), amy hill who is HILARIOUS, and B.D. wong who i really love too, i will always appreciate this show! i know it was rough for margaret and the cast cuz of various complications and wasn't always well received by fellow asians, but still w/ it being an all asian cast, and my being chinese-american so i can so easily relate to the show and loved watching people on tv who looked like me... i was so thrilled when this became available on dvd and jumped to buy it. really, there should've been a lot more asian cast shows btwn 1994-2015 and it's a shame there hasn't been.
J**S
Hilarious Show that Was Unfortunately Overlooked
It's a shame that this show didn't make it beyond the first season. It seemed to have fallen victim to showbiz politics, as evidenced by the final episode's unfortunate retooling. It was a very different sitcom for the time and carried a ton of humor. Margaret Cho made her introduction to the world in a stunningly hilarious way. The show brilliantly portrayed the culture shock of a young girl growing up in America with her traditional Korean family. Another gem to this series is the incomparable Amy Hill, who delivered an Emmy-worthy performance as Grandma. After years of absence from the airwaves, it was very exciting to find that the show had finally been released on DVD. Now I can relive this wonderful, ahead-of-its-time sitcom whenever I want.
B**R
NOT THAT BAD AT ALL
Actually, it is not that bad at all.Maybe the net work put too much emphasis on "First Asian Sitcom"so its lost the all the potential Un-Asian audience.The show is very well written and there is not that Asian at all.It is just a regular family sitcom that the main cast happened to be an Asian American.I am sure if the main cast was an Italian American that show would have survived longer.The last episode was the best episode.Too bad they have to cancel it. The show was really heading to the good direction.They built up the new plot and did not have a chance to use it.The net work should let her do the sitcom again.
J**D
i loved this show, wish there were more like it
this comedy started out really conservative and progressed to really cool.by the end it was really cutting edge for an american comedy. it wasn't great, and some parts were tiresome. but the overall show was innovative for the time. kudos for margaret and the cast.i am a dedicated fan of Margaret Cho and all of her comedy shows.
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