Unlike Batman, the TV version of The Green Hornet tv series was played straight, but in spite of the considerable interest in Lee, it was cancelled after only one season. However, the rise of Lee as a major movie star ensured continued interest in the property to the point where proposed Green Hornet productions typically have the casting of some major martial arts film star as Kato as the first order of business. Lee’s popularity in Hong Kong, where he was raised, was such that the show was marketed there as The Kato Show.

