Japanese Television and Takeshi’s Castle

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Japanese Television and Takeshi’s Castle

February 10, 2008 by Marie

As a kid, I used to watch Takeshi’s Castle with my siblings… Almost everyone in school watched the show because it was really funny: most of the stunts involved men and/or women jumping on giant mushrooms that traveled over muddy pools, then trying to run up a slope-y hill while giant styrofoam balls roll down the passageways, and then getting to this area where they had to choose the correct door to the next level or risk getting smashed by a monster samurai guy behind the other doors. The exact details are hazy but I remember they were hilarious!

Every time Japanese people ask me what kind of Japanese thing I experienced back home, I never fail to tell them about how much I enjoyed Takeshi’s Castle. I always get mixed reactions though, from people who are amazed and ask me all kinds of questions about how popular the show was to people who are really embarrassed saying we must think all Japanese people are like the characters or the participants on the show. I can’t deny, however, that I had thought a lot of Japanese were either all so bored that they did those stunts or that they were a little wacko…

Even on Japanese TV today, they have stunts on this show called Haneru no Tobira that are crazy funny. I still find myself laughing out loud at their antics (I know that’s not saying much about my intelligence but…). So I was wondering why we usually have an image of Japanese people being so uptight and unfunny? Also, they all seem to be so worried about their outside appearances, often shying away from anything that would make them look silly, yet, why are they entertained by these really bizarre (and sometimes outrageous) shows?

Video via: pacman94 (on Youtube) , Japan Probe

Posted in Modern Culture, People, Trivia | Tagged japan, japanese television, japanese tv shows, funny, takeshis castle | 7 Comments

7 Responses to “Japanese Television and Takeshi’s Castle”

on February 10, 2008 at 9:29 am1 Moka

Takeshi’s castle is soo funny, I am younger than the show but I know it because I saw it on it’s broadcasted on a french channel of the tnt. And you’re right, why do we see japanese people as uptight and unfunny ? maybe is it because of the preconceived idea that we have of them ? like, they’re always very calm, and very polite people.
on February 10, 2008 at 1:38 pm2 Marie

Thanks for the comment, Moka!

Yeah, it is tooo funny! But yeah, thanks for your insight. They’re too calm and polite sometimes that we always see them as serious, so it is weird sometimes that they have these kinds of shows…
on June 17, 2008 at 8:08 am3 Rose Chau

Could you tell me if they still do the show today? Can we visit the site and where about in Japan?

Thanks.

Rose
on July 6, 2008 at 4:20 pm4 Marie

Hi Rose Chau!

Thanks for visiting and I apologize for the late response.

Takeshi’s Castle, unfortunately, is no longer being aired. You can check out tidbits and trivia about the show here:
Takeshi’s Castle on Wikipedia

I’ve only seen short clips on Youtube, like the one above, but I’m sure there are a lot of videos out there.
on July 22, 2008 at 12:41 am5 Tombonator

Man I remember watching this show when I lived in japan as a kid, especially durning the summertime when we’d go visit my mom’s family in Okinawa. Course I coudln’t understand what they were saying, but it sure was funny as hell watching all those crazy stunts as a 10 year old. Ahh the good ol days
on July 22, 2008 at 10:06 pm6 Marie

Hi Tombonator! Thanks for commenting!

I think a lot of people have fond memories of Takeshi’s Castle… There are a lot of other crazy Japanese shows, some that are even still on-air. They really know how to entertain…
on July 29, 2008 at 1:17 am7 yecart

Can anyone tell me of any crazy Japanese shows that are still being aired?