‘Deli Boys’ Creator Abdullah Saeed Breaks Down Curating the ‘Gore Level’ in Onyx Collective Comedy Series

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Creator of “The Deli Boys,” Abdullah Saeed, has constructed a show filled with drug use, violence, and underworld drama – which, quite unexpectedly, is meant to be a source of humor.

The Onyx Collective series carries the elements typical of a gangster storyline yet infuses humor throughout, as it follows the journey of two Pakistani-American siblings discovering that their father’s business conglomerate was actually a cover for drug trafficking activities.

In conversation with EbMaster, Saeed explained that the use of violence in his series was originally a strategy for him to make a mark amidst fierce competition, as he aimed to establish himself as a screenwriter.

Saeed explained that he included moments of intense action in the script to capture readers’ attention. He initially did this as a means to distinguish his work from others and maintain reader engagement. However, it unexpectedly influenced the dialect and overall tone of the series in significant ways. Jenni Konner served as the guardian of the show’s gore levels, skillfully determining the optimal amount of violence and grisly details based on her extensive experience and exceptional comedic intuition.

Apart from “Deli Boys” co-creator Konner, Saeed also acknowledges co-creator Michelle Nader for sculpting the show’s final form. They skillfully balanced the series between intense violence and humorous elements.

Or simply:

Saeed credits both co-showrunners Konner and Nader for shaping “Deli Boys” by balancing its violent and comedic aspects.

He expressed his gratitude by saying, “They truly led me in the right direction, and I genuinely believe they played a significant role in polishing my unique style and the project. I’m just so grateful that they appreciated my voice within the show. It’s quite humbling to consider, but I feel I’ve learned to be confident and take pride in my work. It’s truly remarkable.

The series ‘Deli Boys’ stands out for its predominantly South Asian cast. This creative choice was partially influenced by the generational disparities that writer Saeed observed within South Asian American families.

He expressed his belief that the core theme depicted in the series revolves around two different generations. He further explained that the older generation of South Asian Americans is often characterized by holding secrets, which leaves much about their lives undisclosed. This secrecy, he suggested, is intentional and perceived as a form of protection or favor, yet it also fosters a sense of distance between the younger and older generations. The question he posed when creating this show was: “What if these secrets were not only hidden but went progressively deeper?

“Deli Boys” premiered on Hulu on March 6.

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2025-03-07 01:23