House of Ho

I enjoy this show being half Vietnamese. It is better than "Crazy Rich Asians." Sometimes you need that trashy reality show to fill up your day. But I actually find them likeable and I'll watch this over that crappy Kardashian show any day! There is some substance to this show and I enjoy it because its relatable to me. Can't wait for Season 2 with the Ho Ho Ho family! :)

There have been Rich Asian reality shows from the BBC, this takes place in US (Houston, TX). Honestly it's hilarious. You have the father the matriach of the family who has made his fortune. He has 3 kids, his daughter Judy and 2 sons, Washington and Reagan (who is not in the show, just one episode). Judy is basically at 40, has 3 kids and just divorced. She is just manipulative, really, she lives with her brother and his wife, while the father is renovating her new home. She constantly starts stuff and brings up conflict. She talks about being independent, but does nothing, then complains about her culture and traditions, says her father does not support her though she is living off him, she wants respect but doesn't give it, opening looking to disrespect her father, she starts dating and doesn't want him the meet the guy, which is all he wants, but she looks at 'his approval' as manipulation. Washington acts like and is a spoiled brat and dealing with alcoholism. His wife Lesley is working from home, taking care of her kids, and has to do errands for the family, really cause Judy could care less and is taking time for herself, really for nothing but self gratification. But really, Lesley doesn't have to do all that and take on the stress she does, she chooses to. The aunt, Aunty Tina, is exactly what she calls herself, a hot mess. They all waiting for the father to retire BUT the father, Binh, is absolutely right in not trusting his kids with the company, they are a mess and without him they would lose everything. I was frustrated at their patience, they could just cut them off, but they deal with it. These are people who live in their world, find drama when there is none (most of the time) if you like trashy reality shows, funny and subpar entertainment this is for you.

To be honest, on first episode I was judgement and thought they were showing off their money and I felt bad about my self. But I did find them authentic by the end of first episode so I binged watch all seven episode on one day. First of all, I never watch Crazy Rich Asian, and I never intended to watch because I know it is a movie and it is not a true reality TV. Crazy Rich is all actors, no where can be compared to The House of Ho.

Here are the reason I find this show is authentic and real..

1) Binh, the dad, is a conservative guy. He always have a poker face at the family gathering.. But he wanted the best for Judy. He wants to preserve her marriage because "what's God bide, man cannot untied". Binh put God first. Being Catholic myself, I can understand where he is coming from. He wants a perfect family where husband and, wife happily ever after. This is the conflict between him and Judy, his only daughter.

2) Hue, the mom, she is proud of her children. She has all the money but now she wants her children to live as God's children. She always bring one statue of Mary to her daughter in law Leslie so they could model their live after the Holy Family. I can tell, she only wants her children to think about God, and come to Him whenever there is a problem in their marriage. She bring one statue of Mary each time she come to Leslie, Washington's wife. Of course, she want to teach her daughter in law to love Mary so Mary could help Leslie to help her preserves Washington's well being and happiness. Washington is her favorite son and she doesn't want their marriage to fall apart also.

3) Judy is the only girl in the family.. I can feel her pain talking to the dad, asking him to accept her new bf. The dad wanted Judy to reconciled with her ex husband so their marriage can be preserved for God and the kids. Judy however, felt in love with Nate, whom she met 20 years ago, but they didn't date because back then Judy was very "stuck up" ... After fall and tumbled in marriage, it humbled Judy alot and she learned to appreciate a guy like Nate.. Judy was trying to convinced her Dad Binh to accept Nate, but Binh said no. Judy said, all her life, she always did what Binh asked of her, but this time let her make her own decision. I know this scene coincide with Judy real life. She did went to college and follow Binh advice to become a lawyer.. I can sense Judy all her life was playing the good girl to please her parents.. But this one moment in her 40 the years, begging Binh to let her make her own choice. This movie many people thinks it's script but it is not. It's their real life. It's all played out coincidencely. Even first episode, where Judy announced her divorce. It was not scripted.. It just happened during the shooting of the film. HBO only went there to documents about the rich family and how they live. But it happened that Judy became the centre of attention of the show when she filed a divorce..

Why I know this is authentic and not script? Judy husband probably love her but being with the Ho family is very stressful. Looking at the dad, the mom, and how the whole family dynamic makes everyone stressful. I don't want to be in those kind of family richness . .. This is Judy's real divorce. I'm surprised they are very natural on camera. They like natural actors...

4) Washington, the favorite son of the parents and the next in line to inherit their wealth.. His lifestyle driving nice car, and the way he interacts, viewers think he is showing off. But looking at a deeper level, Washington is a guy with a big heart to his parents and peolle around him. He care about people around him. To bs honest, its not easy to be born in that family and not easy to be Washington. Everyone has a high expectation around them. One reason why Wash may have gotten himself into alcohol. This is real story people.. They are not acting. This is how their life is .. But the film director cut out the dull and boring part and edit the interesting part to keep viewers.

Wash want to keep his parents happy but also his wife happy. Thats why we see he play cool on both side.

To those people who think this movie is scripted , they are wrong . These people put out their real problem, real feeling out there.

I want to review more but I think its enough to convinced you that this movie is reality show... Its way better and authentic then Crazy Rich Asian.

Love this TV family. Very funny and entertaining. I love seeing diversity on TV.

Just came to address a couple things. A lot of people didn't like it for the way things were playing out. The way family treated each other etc.

Being half Vietnamese, it is always nice for other people to see the way we grew up. To have an understanding of how things might not have been the same way for us vs for others.

Also, for the person talking about them just have a 2 million dollar home... Looks like they could afford a lot more if you Google their net worth... (~350M).

I have family members with homes more expensive than that in Houston but 350M is some hefty net worth my friends.