Asian Variety Shows Coming to American TV
First it was I survived a Japanese Game Show and now Fox is taking The Wall game from Japanese variety shows and the Korean variety show, Jihwaza, for their new fall show, Hole in the Wall. Check out the preview below. (horrible quality but it’s still funny)
The game has been all over the world and America is finally get their hands on it. This is going to be hilarious. Just the preview made me crack up. The only difference is that in Asia you have celebrities doing these ridiculous things, in the US however, it’s just everyday people.
August 18, 2008 at 7:41 pm
That’s an interesting difference b/w American and Asian culture. In Asia, celebrities have come across as friendly and accessible to a degree to foster a fan base (hence the popularity of celebs coming out on game shows neh?)….yet in America, celebrities are nigh untouchable in the sense not only their privacy but any ‘human’ aspect about them is fiercely hidden. Celebs in America go on talk shows of their choosing, primly dressed, and THAT is considered “being open and accessible.” It would be unthinkable to see A-listers in America “lower” themselves to a game show level, sweating, being dunked into pools etc.
I don’t think one is better than the other….but it’s interesting to see how celebrity culture on two sides of the globe have evolved.
August 18, 2008 at 11:18 pm
bah, the premise of this show is so terrible. i mean yes, awesome, japanese variety shows are going to gain more exposure, but the american version specifically has added in “oriental” characters to show how “japanese” it is. like they’ll have an elderly woman present on set to “blabber” in broken english from time to time, they’ll play ridiciulous cliched japanese “sounds.”
August 18, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I kind of feel bad for the big woman. Granted, it’s funny but cruel. I think the reason why it works in Asia is because in a society where “losing face” it’s such a big deal, it’s fun to see people “higher” than you volunteer to embarrass themselves.
And yea, America can not let go of it’s one dimensional view of Japan or Asians for that matter. If your not white, you’re a stereotype.
August 19, 2008 at 12:16 am
I think the celebrity factor is what makes Asian game shows so lovable. I guess it could be because I’ve grown up with all the game shows featuring average joes though.
August 19, 2008 at 2:52 am
This game is so popular…I’ve seen it everywhere!
September 19, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I use to watch the Korean version before it went off air. I could never image Will Smith, Brad Pitt or even Ben Stiller during a show like this. Hence, why I watch Asian variety to get my humor. Like mentioned above its pretty amusing to see idols do crazy stuff. love it. haha ^_^