Just a really quick post today about the most mind-bending show I’ve seen in quite some time. I’m not exactly sure how I feel about it, but I think the ticket to enjoyment here is probably just to avoid thinking altogether.

I believe that I enjoy it, in a “What the Hell did I just watch” sort of way.

The basic idea is, take a bunch of American Stereotypes and launch them full-speed into a manufactured Japanese gameshow, then point and laugh as awkward hijinks ensue.

The Japanese Gameshow itself is called Majide (sort of slang for “For Real”), but was created entirely for this reality show. It’s a secret game within a game, but with such incredibly earnest presentation, it makes my head spin.

I’m sure the crowd is paid to be there, and knows the show only exists for the Reality show itself, but if they’re only acting excited, they deserve a collective Oscar.

The Host is fluent in Japanese and English, and often translates the contestants excited utterances to the crowd, with varying levels of purposeful mistranslation and added digs at the contestants, which of course the Americans can’t understand. They smile and ham it up while the crowd laughs at them.

The games are like normal JapanCrazy to the 3rd power. They have awesome names like “Pedal Fast or Big Splash” and “Big Chicken Butt Scramble”. The gameshow segments are taped by a Japanese filming and production crew.

There are ridiculously overdone sound effects added to everything, and abominably Kawai graphic overlays at all times for no rhyme or reason. During one episode, a contestants ouster leads to a contemplative walking scene as she reminisces about her experiences, all accompanied by the hilariously inappropriate added sound effects of her velcro suit rubbing around.

As much as that sounds downright stupid and smarmy, the magic of this show is taking all those ingredients and somehow cooking up a cheerful, and endearing show.

Some of the contestants are easy to hate, ie. Donnell:

While some are lovable and funny as hell.

And the stuff that falls out of this guy’s mouth is so mind-bogglingly Southern, there is no way it was scripted beforehand.

It’s all very good natured and fun, and I think the audience is laughing at the contestants because they’re doing stupid, goofy things, rather than just because they’re Americans. They also seem to genuinely be rooting for them to succeed.

The Americans aren’t idiots, so they understand they’re the butt of the joke, but they put on their game faces and seem to have fun in spite of it.

Verdict - What the hell did I just watch? I don’t know, but I liked it*. If you want real Japanese gameshow, watch Ninja Warrior or Takeshi’s Castle or Unbeatable Banzukai.

*Theory: Enjoyment level would probably increase in relation to B.A.C.

Also, I LOVE the judge. “Yellow Penguins got 10 bears!”