Maybe you aren't surprised this show turned out terrible. You're probably right not to be. But if you've followed Ken Jeong's trajectory as a performer, it's tough not to feel slightly (okay, very) let down. Jeong is most widely known to mainstream audiences for his performance as Leslie Chow in the (someone has to say it) terribly unfunny Hangover trilogy. In these films, Chow's humour basically relies on doing a borderline racist accent and getting naked. Not long after, however, Jeong starred in NBC's Community, playing the much funnier and more interesting character of Ben Chang, a community college Spanish teacher. Over the course of his run on Community, (especially after season three) Jeong's performance as Chang became much more nuanced and sympathetic. Jeong also began to note in interviews his desire to work on shows that don't look down on him as a performer. With all said, the announcement of Dr. Ken seemed like poetry. Not only was Jeong hoping for more serious work, but he'd also previously worked as a physician in California. It was like a career-based homecoming. Then the show aired, and it was immediately slammed by critics. Jeong's performance was obnoxious and at times psychopathic. Dr. Ken was full of terrible, exaggerated performances, gross humour and dull, rote storylines. So much for serious acting.
