Radames Pera of the original Kung Fu
Original Airdates: July 10-12, 2020
TVC 500.2: Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Radames Pera, the actor best known for playing young Kwai Chang Caine, aka “Grasshopper,” in the flashback sequences of the original Kung Fu (ABC, 1972-1975), and John Edwards, Mary Ingalls’ love interest, on Little House on the Prairie. Earlier this year Universal announced plans to develop Kung Fu as a feature motion picture, while The CW will reimagine Kung Fu as a new weekly series that is scheduled to premiere during the 2020-2021 television season. Ed talks to Radames about both these developments, plus Radames shares some memories about his work on the original series, how the role that Bruce Lee played indirectly in getting Kung Fu on the air.
Why Kung Fu was an “Eastern Western”
Original Airdates: July 10-12, 2020
TVC 500.3: Radames Pera, the actor who played Kwai Chang Caine in the flashback sequences of the original Kung Fu (ABC, 1972-1975), talks to Ed about working with actors Keye Luke, Philip Ahn, James Hong, and Benson Fong and producers Jerry Thorpe and Alex Beaton on the series, and how Kung Fu infused elements of Eastern philosophy into the trappings of a TV Western.
