Kung Fu, probably the most influential Euro-American appropriation of Asian martial arts in a popular television series, was originally conceived as a vehicle for Bruce Lee's pioneering talents, but was recast with white protagonists led by David Carradine in yellowface. Ninja Academy, a 1990 movie, shows a Japanese-American family operating the Euro-American notion of a medieval martial arts temple in the backwoods of California. Even though Japanese-Americans today are the most acculturated Asian American subgroup, they are portrayed here as inarticulate and tied to ancient Japanese customs. Within a few days of training, the novice white trainees outperform their nonwhite masters. None of the Asian-American cast has any significant speaking parts--except for the female love interest of the white male protagonist. Yes, it's meant to be a mindless, slapstick comedy, but the producers show no interest in letting Asian Americans in on the fun. Best of the Best gives a predominantly white American taekwondo team, improbably coached by African-American actor James Earl Jones, an opportunity to demonstrate its athletic and moral superiority over the Korean national team. Although the Koreans manage to defeat the Americans during the match, the movie ends with the Koreans conceding their medals to the Americans in recognition of their obviously greater courage and integrity. In Gymkata, Kurt Thomas leads a small band of white martial arts experts against a faceless army of ninjas to secure a military installation and rescue an Asian princess.