Stereotyping Asians in American TV and Cinema

Quite a while ago, I had a discussion with my cousin about an idea I had for a supernaturally based TV series that would involve an all Asian American cast. As I went on to describe the idea to him, one of the first things that came out of his mouth was (and I'm paraphrasing), "so how would this series have anything to do with the Asian culture?"

At first, I was a little astounded by that statement, because it would be the same as asking, "so how would a show with an all African American cast have anything to do with the African culture?" But as he explained further, the point that he was actually trying to make was this: unless a series had something to do with the Asian culture, why would a production company cast all Asian Americans into a show, when they could just as easily cast non-Asians and probably get more appeal for it?

When he said that, it actually got me thinking quite a bit. Because, for the longest time, there have always been common roles that Asians tended to play throughout American entertainment--roles such as doctors, lawyers, scientists, computer/tech experts, gangsters, and martial artists. Of course, every now and then there would be a few shows or movies that would include Asians in roles that deviated from their normal stereotype. One example that instantly comes to mind was B.D. Wong's Catholic priest character from the gritty cable show "Oz". Another, more recent example (though not a perfect one, since it's still a little stereotypical), is the time bending average joe played by Masi Oka on the TV series "Heroes." But for the most part, I, along with many of my Asian friends grew up knowing the Asian stereotypes that many Asian actors would play and have grown to almost expect them as a given.

But what would possibly happen if movies or TV shows cast Asians into roles that strongly deviated from the usual ones placed on them by American entertainment? What possible fallout or reception would arise if roles were given to Asian actors that threw Asian stereotypes right out the window? Below are just some examples that I thought up (besides the last one) and some comments on what I think might happen.