Chinese tale sprawls across TV universe

Sensing that it has a hit (a surprise one, maybe), Disney+ is taking an uncharacteristic step: It’s giving something away.
The streamer will put episodes of “American Born Chinese” (shown here) on other networks. That ranges from one hour on ABC (8 p.m. Saturday, June 24) to three on Hulu and Roku.
Some of this stays in the family: The Disney company owns Disney+ and ABC, plus two-thirds of Hulu. Still, it’s another good sign, for a show that has drawn strong reviews.
Based on a graphic novel, it starts with a boy who – like many teens in TV, movies and maybe real life – feels he doesn’t fit in. In this case, he’s virtually the only student with Chinese roots.
Then we meet an exchange student … and a rich assortment of characters from Chinese legend … and even a goofy TV character in a bad situation comedy.
“American Born Chinese” arrived at an ideal time: Hollywood has taken a fresh interest in Asian characters; two of this show’s actors recently won Academy Awards for “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once”: Ke Huy Quan plays the TV goof; Michelle Quan (shownhere) plays Guanyin, Goddess of Mercy.
Other legendary characters include Dragon King, Jade Emperor and Princess Iron Fan.
The eight-episode season arrived May 24 on Disney+. Now the new sampling includes:
— The first episode airs at 8 p.m. Saturday on ABC.
— That episode ia already available on YouTube, through July 23.
— The first three episodes will be on Hulu and Roku, starting Monday (June 26). They’ll stay through July 9 on Hulu and July 10 on Roku.