Raw reality chat with Bryan Au

June 13, 6:45 PMLA Asian American Movie ExaminerEd Moy

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Bryan Au on top of roof in San Francisco

Love'em or hate'em "Reality TV" shows are here to stay.  Recently, Asian American Raw Organic Chef Bryan Au appeared on an episode of MTV's Parental Control.  Here's what he had to say about it...

What feels good to you about the experience?
 
I love MTV they are a very funny and very recognized TV Network that people enjoy watching. I grew up watching MTV when it was all music videos with no commercials during the 1980's so what a trip it is for me to be all grown up and to be on MTV! Wow I never dreamed or thought that would happen!  Parental Control is a very funny show and I like to make people laugh so it was the perfect experience for me and I got to show the world who Bryan Au is and that I can be funny too!

What was the purpose?
 
For me I want to experience new things, open doors and what better way than MTV! I also find it to be very fun and exciting to be on camera you feel very "on" and "alive" it is a very thrilling fun experience for me. But the really funny part is before I was so not into seeing my own photos or myself being on TV, but now I actually like it, look forward to it and no matter what I am in it just makes me LAUGH so hard because it will always be funny for me to see myself on TV! But seriously mainly one of my main purposes of being in the media and being on TV is to create more awareness about what I really do and that is being a Raw Organic Cuisine Chef! I try to promote this in all of my roles, media appearances and everything I do because I am so passionate about promoting healthy eating, organic food, being Eco and Green these things I am very passionate about but I try to promote them in fun light ways so that it creates more awareness about something that is totally new and interesting for a lot of people that might not otherwise get this information or new way of eating and living. It will totally rawck your world and improve your life you have to try it.  Millions of people love it! Please go to my main website http://www.Rawinten.com to see what I am talking about!

How is it not stereotypical?
 
Well in Hollywood they talk about archetypes, or this means certain roles or types of people that already exist.  So what this means for Asian People is the typical and sometime stereotypical role of Kung Fu Master, during the 1980s it was the Nerd or Geek, during the 1990s it was the Killer or Hitman, but in the late 1990s and now in the 2000s there are more realistic and different roles and types of Asians seen in the movies, on TV and it is  really great and refreshing to be represented outside of stereotypical roles! Growing up it was very important for me to see Asian Males on TV and in movies it gave me a lot of self esteem, unless you are Asian it may not seem that important or a big deal but when you are a kid the smallest things are really a big deal and can either boost your self esteem or totally crush and scar it forever. Negative Stereotypical Roles have the more negative effect obviously and is so not needed! I don't want to mention people or roles that portray that and they made their choices but for me I have sworn only to portray positive or different roles for Asians. When people see us on the screen as a bad guy or killer it is very different than when other nationalities are on the screen they  somehow seem cooler or bad ass, but when Asians are the bad guys on screen they seem to somehow come across as really evil, really sinister and really awful and not like chic or cool bad guy at all! I don't know why  this is or how, maybe the way they are being directed? But in any case this establishes a very negative perception of Asian Americans and feeds the negative responses in real life as well like racism, or intolerance or may even affect hiring or social decisions too I have seen it in real life. Right now for example there is a very negative Asian bad guy in North Korea and this is a very real life thing happening, this just reinforces the negative aspects of being Asian because we get lumped into one race even though there are many different "Asian" Cultures and races only when something "bad" happens do we all have to face the heat and get lumped into one "race". I know that if you are Asian and reading this you know what I mean! So for me it is important to portray positive and good roles that are also realistic. We need more roles for Asian Americans that show us being the hero, the good guy, and not just the evil guy, gangster, killer or whatever so for me my MTV Parental Control episode really is  refreshing and satisfying because I think it is a very realistic and non-stereotypical Asian Dad situation that most people do not get to see and there is a lot of comedy as well so I hope you enjoy my episode of MTV Parental Control I go over the top and try to be as funny as possible because I want people to laugh and have a good time!
 
Do you think this will attract more opportunities for you?
 
(Laughs) I certainly hope so! I hope people like it!!! (smile)

Will Asian Americans feel proud about your representing on MTV?   How so?
 
(Bigger Laughs) I really super hope so! Again for me growing up seeing Bruce Lee and Sulu on Star Trek made a world of difference for me! Don't get me wrong I loved seeing different races and people on TV and in the Movies but while growing up there weren't any Asians in mainstream Hollywood or TV Shows! But yes I truly hope that other Asian Americans think my MTV Parental Control episode is very funny and entertaining that is the point of Parental Control! Being proud of me? Hmmmm...again I can only hope! (Smiles)

Raw chef Bryan Au on the farm

What's next for you?

Taking over the World! (Laughs) Just kidding, ok well I am actually filming my own Raw Organic and Eco Green TV show I know who isn't these days right?  But mine will actually be very different and hip! Other Eco TV Shows or Film documentariesthat point out how we are in doom and gloom situations but they don't really empower us with solutions or  techniques to solve it! It was great to point out the pollution, the mistakes but now I think it is important to show people what they can do about it and in my new Eco and Raw Organic Food TV show series I will actually show you how to save money while saving your health, save the environment and the entire Planet with my Raw Organic Food Recipes and totally new never before seen Eco Green Ideas!  We all know about unplugging the cell phone, expensive eco electric cars, those twisty light bulbs and pumping up your tires, that is all good but what else is out there?  What is new? Affordable? And practical? Well I will show you in my new TV show and  you will love it! I am also launching my new Raw Organic Eco Organic Clothing Fashion line  because I am all about empowering people to be more eco, green all natural, raw, organic but it has to all be affordable, fashionable, easy and fun! The brand is Raw Star because when you are raw  you are the all natural star saving your health, protecting the community  and saving the world!