ABC, I Survived a Japanese Game Show

[TuskCracker]

-

I Survived A Japanese Game Show

New show in USA. Is this any good ?

Or does it focus on cliche's of the country ?

 

[Pachipro]

I find it quite interesting and have been following it for the past four weeks. It is an American Reality show and there will be only one winner for $250,000. However, although the Japanese Game Show is purely fictional it is played and acted out as a real Japanese game show complete with the MC, audience, behind the scenes personnel, etc and also complete with the most absurd and humiliating types of Japanese games as one often sees when in Japan.

It really gives the uninitiated an excellent look into Japanese game shows, but in the American version the losing team has to plant rice, shuck clams, etc and the winning team gets to go to spas, and enjoy the good life in Japan.

The only thing I don't like about it is that it is your typical American reality/game show where there is only one winner and eventually everyone tries to put down or out do the others including their own teammate and there is much backstabbing. However, since it is related to Japan, filmed in Japan, and shows a little of real Japanese culture I will continue watching it. It is funny and watchable and does have it's finer points. I would recommend it, but that is just my opinion. It is not as cliche ridden as I thought it would be. As a matter of fact it was done quite well.

 

[Drew-san]

I enjoy the show. I don't think its too great, just your typical reality show with a twist.

 

[tada]

I like the show overall, but the typical "reality" portion of voting people out and backstabbing and social engineering and alliances and all that stuff keeps it from being perfect. However, everything else (challenges, watching them go through culture shock, and giving insights to Japanese culture) is good. I could not stop laughing when the losing team had to work at a pachinko parlor. Did not know they actually clean the balls one by one.

 

[justin]

It's okay, but I'll take Ninja Warrior over it any day.

 

[nice gaijin]

I caught part of an episode where they had an in-studio "challenge," and was terribly unimpressed. Reminded me of a Nickelodeon game show with a Japanese studio audience. It felt so phony I thought it was shot in the US with an audience padded with asian-looking people. Definitely a poor imitation in my opinion, not that Japanese game shows are all that brilliant to begin with...

 

[ghost1374]

I didn't find the games all that interesting, I was more interested in the prizes and punishments after the game. I wanted to see a little bit more of Japan in general and the show gives both viewers and contestants the chance to see different aspects of Japan.

 

[tada]

I almost cried during the last episode. Having to leave Japan is a terrible experience...

 

[Pachipro]

I thought it was great that they brought in their spouses and girlfriends/friends for the last episodes. However, I find it sad that there is only one winner, but that seems to be the American way, unlike Ninja Warrior (Sasuke) where all can win. However, I found it interesting and feel there may be a follow-up. By the way, was it shown in Japan even though it was a completely American production?

 

[Drew-san]

I was wondering that too. Where all the 'fans' fake?

 

[ghost1374]

I was also wondering that. I'm thinking it was an exclusive American show and not shown in Japan or it was shown in Japan but only for those who bought tickets to see the show. I'm not sure how it would have worked if they tried to broadcast it.

 

[tada]

It's not a real show, it's just one that's styled after Japanese game shows. I somehow doubt they faked all of Tokyo though. It's kind of funny seeing places on TV knowing you've been there...

P.S. Since when can 本気で be read majide?

 

[ghost1374]

Good point... Maybe it's a new kanji?

 

[Pachipro]

My wife informs me that it could be read that way, but I believe, as does she, that it was for American TV.