... that this was EVER put on TV. So cerebral, foreign. This was real groundbreaker. One of the most daring shows ever aired.
shareAgreed, this was a thoughtful, heartfelt rarity even then. We certainly don't have anything remotely like it on TV today, and more's the pity.
shareIn the days of 3-network TV, ABC, in a time window from about 1955-75, was perennially and hopelessly last in the ratings behind NBC and CBS. As a result they were generally more inclined to give a chance to something genuinely creative and off the beaten path of standard TV programming during that period, and this show is one very good (if late) example. "Nothing to lose" and all that. (Not that the other two networks NEVER tried anything offbeat ... "All in the Family" on CBS stands out for this era ... but it was less common.) Around the mid-'70s Fred Silverman came over from CBS and quickly drove ABC to the top of the ratings with mindless fluff and jiggle (Happy Days, Love Boat, Laverne and Shirley, Charlies Angels etc.) and network TV became a virtual monopoly of stupid.
shareThat's it exactly. It's when they feel they've got nothing lose that genuinely creative ideas get a chance. And when thing start doing well again, they suddenly get very wary for fear of upsetting the gravy train, alas.
I recently watched a few episodes of those Silverman-era ABC shows on one of those retro-channels, and was appalled by just how incredibly stupid they were, far worse than I'd remembered.
It had a cerebral feel, but the philosophical aspects were a pedestrian, bogus mishmash.
shareThis was the role written with Bruce Lee in mind as the star.
Too bad they went with Carradine instead.
Why too bad?.It's a good thing they went with Carradine.Lee was an amazing fighter but Carradine was the better actor.
shareBecause the show was entirely created by Bruce Lee when he was playing Cato on The Green Hornet TV show, and he was promised the role. THAT’s why, chucklehead. It’s a little thing called honor.
shareDon't know about any of that.I'm happy with the outcome though.I'm a fan of Lee and the fight scenes would have been amazing with him involved but Carradine was the better actor.
shareBruce lee had nothing to do with Kung Fu.
Lee pitched a different show before Kung Fu called The Warrior But the studio decided not to do it.
At most, Lee's idea may have inspired the creation of Kung Fu.
Early Westerns had a lot of stand-alone episodes that carried unusual story-lines, people taking a moral stand, standing up for ill-treated minorities. Might have been Gunsmoke, (maybe Laramie) where Darren McGavin tries to help a Chinese father and daughter just because it's the right thing to do, and gets to at least gaze at the beautiful France Ngyuen (sp?).
She remained lovely well into her later years, btw.
Wasn't she a mutant in Battle for the Planet of the Apes ?
shareI have no idea, but everyone who is familiar with her hopefully recognizes how lovely she is. I believe she is still with us, fortunately for anyone who is close to her.
shareShe was stunning indeed (and still with us at 81). And, yes, she appeared in "Battle for the Planet of the Apes." Perhaps her most unforgettable role was as Elaan in the Star Trek episode "Elaan of Troyius" (where she plays a haughty biyatch, but she's certainly beautiful!).
shareI agree
Love this show!