I Survived a Japanese Game Show, now being shown on Studio 23 every Sunday at 7 PM, follows ten Americans who are whisked away to Japan to compete in the ultimate Japanese style game show to win US$250,000.
Guided by host/interpreter Tony Sano, contestants must go through out-of-this-world challenges and weird obstacles like catching and eating the mochi balls placed on helmets of fellow contestants who were running on the treadmill.
"Game shows have always
been big in Japan," Tony Sano casually told PEP (Philippine Entertainment
Portal) in a phone conversation last Friday morning, September 19. The interview
was conducted as part of Studio 23's efforts to promote its newest reality game
show titled I Survived a Japanese Game
Show. It is aired its pilot episode last Sunday, September 21.
Most of us Filipinos would
perhaps immediately think of Takeshi's
Castle as our first major introduction to Japanese produced game shows.
The American-Japanese
host, however, elaborated that I Survived
a Japanese Game Show is very unique as compared to the others we've seen in
the past and in recent years. To kick things off, the contestants tapped to
participate are not Japanese natives but rather ten Americans who are completely
naïve about Japan and its culture.
"I'm not actually part
of the selection process," the amiable host quickly clarified. "All I know is
that prior to the competition, all ten had never been to Japan and they were
also not informed right away. So it was a surprise when they were informed that
they're heading to Japan."
Being in a totally unknown
territory while at the same time having to compete for a chance to take home
$250,000 is what gives the game show that exciting twist according to Tony.
The challenges, said Tony,
"are not easy" but they're not Fear
Factor-like challenges either. Japanese game shows are known to be more physical
but delivered in a fun, almost childish, approach.
"But again, it's not
easy and it can get really crazy," warned Tony, who described the show as
brimming with "treadmills, Velcro suits and trampolines." There are also street
challenges like the contestants being set free in Tokyo to chat with strangers.
Other than the
demanding physical challenges, the contestants are all stationed in one house
ala-Big Brother throughout their stay
in the show. There are challenges still even inside the house as the
contestants are strictly ordered to adhere to Japanese tradition under the
guidance of resident Mama-san named Kozue Saito.
It was more than just
winning the cash prize, Tony rationalized, as contestants will do anything to pass
the tests so as to prolong their stay in Japan. Beyond the usual elements of a
game show and a reality program, I
Survived a Japanese Game Show exposes viewers on that scenario of
discovering and accepting new culture.
Asked whether he would like to visi the Philippines and discover our culture someday,
Tony eagerly replied, "Oh yes, definitely! I would love to do that."
I Survived a Japanese Game Show airs every Sunday (7 pm) on Studio 23.