[D00MTR0N]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechris

He wasn't in real life (as far as I know), he only played a guy who was half-Chinese. I'm not talking about cementing roles, I mean cementing themes. Haven't you noticed that Asians are never in a lead role unless it's a Martial Arts action movie? Harold and Kumar being the mainstream exception. It just seems kind of funny since I live in Canada and there are plenty of Asians who live here who don't go around throwing roundhouses or meditating in parks or breaking into dance routines. I'm not saying Kung Fu was what did it, I'm just saying that ever since that, it's pretty much been martial arts experts or wise old men often played by James Hong. And Brazilians, too. If they need a capoeira expert, then bam, but otherwise, nothing. I mean thank goodness for Star Trek having Zulu. That was just groundbreaking and he pretty much had zero stereotypes. He was just one of the guys.

Honestly, as far as Kung Fu goes, I just wasn't a big fan of the show. I thought a lot of it was a little cheesy. I don't think "because of Kung Fu (the series), Asians can't find non-Martial Arts/wise old men roles in Western TV and movies" but I also don't think it helped the West understand the East in any profound way.

it may have been somewhat cheesy but it was 1974,what wasnt,as far as helping the west understand the east perhaps not,but its lessons helped me and continue to,it was and still is a great tool for those who look beyond the studio props and tv part of it.