I Survived a Japanese Game Show

Over the past couple years while I lived in Holland, I had gotten accustomed to watching American TV shows on DVD or on the computer after downloading. Because you have at hand the entire season, you can watch the episodes in order one after another. How fantastic is that? In the beginning, it was hard not to stop after an episode or two. I could find myself watching a series all day long. Even after I had gotten more disciplined about limiting myself to one or two episodes a day to maintain a productive life, I was still accustomed to watching something while eating dinner. Now that I am all caught up on Heroes, Lost, Grey's Anatomy, 24, and House, I was looking for the next show to start watching. As I was browsing through abc.com's full episodes, I came across the title: I Survived a Japanese Game Show. I know it had to be cheesy as hell, but it was about Japan and Japanese game shows can be cool, so I figured, why not?

I was right on the money with the cheesy. The game show wasn't anywhere near as cool as MXC or Ninja Warrior. The games are designed to humiliate the contestants more than anything. The costumes are silly and the stunts are even sillier. The audience and the sayonara boys act retarded, and the signature Majide move is gay as hell. As for the contestants, the producers managed to find the most average folks to compete. Most of them are pretty likeable though, so by the third or fourth episode I had gotten attached to the show to follow the people. I suppose that is what all of the reality shows are all about. As lame as the show may be to those without appreciation for Japan, I still had some good laughs and enjoyed the competitive spirit shown by these ordinary people. Plus, it was a nice reminder of my second home. I think it's time for a visit again.