TV in Japan

This is how you charm a nation. With the story of a fish. Who wants to be a person. Who’s name isn’t Nemo. Or Ariel. On TV. In Japan.

Note: I am excited for this movie. Apologies for sounding snotty above. Wikipedia entry here.

This is how you sell potato sticks. By peddling them as a gateway to cute girls and growing bunny ears. On TV. In Japan.

This is how you determine the uber-model. Amongst Japanese ladies. And exploit their compromised position with upskirt shots. On TV. In Japan.

WARNING: As with all Late Night clips, viewer discretion is advised.

This is how you sell computers. By placing cute girls. Into jeopardy. And then making them dance. To communicate. And, it would seem, to sell computers. On TV. In Japan.

This is how you expand your stand-up act. From doing jokes about tertris. To doing jokes about UFO Catchers/Crane Games. On TV. In Japan.

This is how you learn to wake someone up. From watching others torture one another. On TV. In Japan.

I was interviewed today on NPR about the influx of Japanese Game Shows on both network and cable television here in the states. The show was ‘The Bryant Park Project’ which we don’t get here in LA but I hope gets here soon. It seems like an NPR for a younger generation which is cool.

The interview was good I think - however I am far from an expert on Japanese TV. If you’ve here expecting detailed analysis I apologize in advance. If you’re interested, take a listen.

I’d also be interested in hearing your take on these shows, specifically ‘I Survived a Japanese Game Show’. Is it going to be good? Are you going to watch?

You can also click here to take you to the story and the audio.

This is how you celebrate Christmas. If you’re one of two giant furries. And you love to sing. About Christmas. And it’s celebrated cakes. On TV. In Japan.

Warning: Heavy kawaii ahead. Proceed with caution.

This is how you rock the hell out of John Williams’ score. On a giant stage. With a star field behind you. And a little help from two lost droids. On TV. In Japan.

Part One:

Part Two:

This is how you make a show about a monkey & a bulldog even better. By dressing them up in costumes. And walking them through a miniature city. And giving them super awesome super powers. On TV. In Japan.

WARNING: This may just be the best Pankun & James clip ever.

This is how you sell the movies. Featuring the ‘Cockpuncher’. On TV. In Japan.

This is how you make a goofy stunt into a gameshow. By adding points. And an ominous ‘no zone’. On TV. In Japan.

This is how you entertain a nation. From inside an inflated piece of rubber.

While attempting an obstacle course.

Or skateboarding around cones.

Or using stilts to attempt to eat a potato on a string.

On TV. In Japan.

This is how you honor the dead. When they’re only mostly dead. And enjoy shooting water from water pistols at the people mourning their death. On TV. In Japan.

This is how you take a simple idea. Of dropping things and then having to quickly catch them. But imagine it really big. Like twenty feet big. On TV. In Japan.