Melvin Mar is an executive producer for Speechless airing Wednesdays at 8:30/7:30 on ABC. We had the opportunity to chat with Melvin about his experience working on the show, which features a teen with cerebral palsy.
Melvin Mar, Executive Producer
Families like the DiMeos have always represented the face of the American Family… It’s just about time that those working in Network TV recognize it.
Though families appear different from the outside, there is also a similarity and commonality that links us all. This is part of what makes our society great. Brothers will be brothers… even if one of them happens to use a wheelchair.
That it’s unapologetic. In an uber-PC world, we get to laugh at things that are sometimes un-PC, because that’s the reality of it. When Scott and I talked about his family and the things he did and laughed at as a kid, it was real. That’s what he had to do to survive as an adolescent and what his family did to bolster each other and come together to deal with challenges. All that is magnified by having a brother with special needs.
There is always a challenge in finding humor. Above all, you want to and need to be respectful. But being truthful about the moments that are funny and cringe worthy is a huge advantage we have on this show. We can talk about it. Laugh about it.
There definitely isn’t a Speechless Soapbox that we are standing on to preach every week. This is a family show about a family with a specific point of view and the drama, stories and humor that come with it. We’re looking to entertain and make people laugh every week with an amazing cast of characters that I think everyone can find something to relate to.
When we made Fresh Off The Boat, someone asked me if you could relate to it if you weren’t Asian or Chinese. Yes, because that show isn’t only for Chinese people or Asian people. It’s for everyone.
In the same way, this show isn’t only for people with or have some attachment to disability. It’s a show for everybody who’s trying to find their place in society as an adult or adolescent. Everyone knows how that feels. The challenges that the characters, Maya, JJ, Ray, Jimmy, Dylan and Kenneth, have are all specific to them and what make the show special. We haven’t seen these characters on TV and it’s really exciting.
Read our exclusive interview with 'Born This Way' creator Jonathan Murray today!
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