Topic Guide
What Is Coming to america?
Coming to america is a subject covered in depth across 1 podcast episode in our database. Below you'll find key concepts, expert insights, and the top episodes to listen to — all distilled from hours of conversation by leading experts.
Key Concepts in Coming to america
Fish out of water trope
This describes a common narrative device where a character is placed in an unfamiliar environment, leading to comedic or dramatic situations. Paramount initially rejected 'Coming to America' due to perceiving it as a generic 'fish out of water' story, highlighting how studios can dismiss concepts they view as overused before unique creative additions redefine them.
Character-driven storytelling
This refers to narratives where the personalities and interactions of distinct characters are central to the plot and appeal. The episode illustrates how 'Coming to America' transformed from a generic premise to a beloved film when Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall took on multiple, distinct characters, each drawing on personal experiences and observations, thereby making the story uniquely engaging.
What Experts Say About Coming to america
- 1.Arsenio Hall's portrayal of the preacher in "Coming to America" was directly inspired by his childhood experience of watching his charismatic preacher father from the back of the pulpit.
- 2.Conan O'Brien identifies with Arsenio Hall's lifelong motivation to please his parents, recognizing it as a driving force behind his own comedic career.
- 3.Paramount Pictures initially rejected the concept for "Coming to America," deeming it a generic "fish out of water" story without the iconic multi-character elements.
- 4.The film was significantly enhanced by Paramount executive Ned Tannon's suggestion for Eddie Murphy to play multiple characters, which led to the creation of the barber and old Jewish man roles.
- 5.Eddie Murphy specifically recruited Arsenio Hall to play the preacher character in "Coming to America," having been impressed by Hall's stand-up impression of Jesse Jackson.
- 6.Arsenio Hall made "Coming to America" during a period of professional 'downtime' while awaiting confirmation on whether he would receive his own talk show.
Top Episodes to Learn About Coming to america
Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend