Television

Nov 08 2004 2 Comments

Glutton for punishment

Despite Japanese food being healthy, and the majority of its people very much on the svelte side, eating competitions are an incredibly popular form of entertainment here. Whether it is a live event or a televised show, these galas of gluttony have a strong and enthusiastic following. And having watched a few such shows on TV, I must admit that in a bizarre and at times disgusting way, they do make for compulsive viewing.

That’s not to say that Japan has a monopoly on such activities. Coney Island’s hot dog eating contest for example gets worldwide coverage. Although for the last 4 years the winner has been Japan’s Takeru Kobayashi. Who for anyone interested produced a new world record at this year’s event. The Tsunami as he’s known managed to wolf down a gut wrenching 53.5 hot dogs and buns in a mere 12 minutes.

But a noodle and bread-eating contest held in Hyogo prefecture on Saturday ended in tragedy. One of the contestants, a 38-year-old woman, had trouble breathing whilst eating bread, and to the shock of the watching crowd fell unconscious. However despite being taken to hospital, the woman tragically died 9 hours later.

Oct 13 2004 3 Comments

Daytime duel

Daytime Japanese TV isn’t exactly renowned for its interesting programmes or ingenuity, but recently the mind-numbing midday spot has been given a spark of life by a fearsome breast battle.

In the left corner, and representing TBS, we have Eri Furuse. Despite being a relative newcomer to national television, armed with her 95-centimetre bust, Furuse-san has quickly become a force to be reckoned with. Her nickname suikappu, which likens her mammeries to melons, says everything you need to know about her unquestionable talent(s).

Over in the other corner we have Fuji TV’s Waka Inoue, who whilst slightly smaller than Suikappu, stills weighs in at an impressive 90-centimetres. And although behind in the size stakes, Inoue-san competes strongly in the nickname-alluding-to-breast-size contest. She commonly goes by the moniker Wakapai, which cleverly combines part of her name and the word oppai (breasts). Classy eh?

This cleavage contest it is hoped will inject a bit of life into a scheduling time that is referred to as the Black Zone. But Suikappu and her melon-like breasts are feeling the pressure. Last month it was reported that TBS had a rather flat 2.1% of the ratings, whereas Fuji TV had a more impressive and curvy 9.3%. Even if Furuse-san manages to convert her extra centimetres to percentage points, Fuji TV is going to be hard act to beat.

Show-biz reporter Kouzou Inoue believes that breast size aside, the TBS star simply doesn’t have what it takes. “Waka Inoue is pretty popular among women as well as men, so she is good for daytime TV. Furuse is targeting businessmen, so she needs to act more like an anchorwoman instead of a ‘suikkappu’ idol,’ although I don’t think she is capable of reversing the audience rating.”

Rumours of the 2 presenters battling things out once and for all in a bikini-clad mud-wrestling contest have sadly yet to be confirmed.

Sep 24 2004 1 Comment

Arnold’s adverts

Arnold Schwarzenegger will visit Japan in November, his first sojourn as Governor of California. The, ahem, actor turned politician plans to meet Japanese political and business leaders, in an attempt to strengthen business ties between Japan and his state.

But official work aside, I wonder if he’ll find the time to make anymore TV commercials whilst he’s here?

Click on the picture above to see one of the Governor’s more accomplished performances. And for more Schwarzenegger (and other celebrity) commercials, go to the wonderful Japander.com

Aug 17 2004 1 Comment

Q for Queen

Due to a popular drama’s use of a Queen song, the big haired and spandex clad rockers are back. With a vengeance too. Not only do the music charts once again have Queen albums amongst their numbers, but fashionable shops are even selling Queen T-shirts.

Has the nation gone mad?

Aug 02 2004 12 Comments

F for Fujiwara

Norika Fujiwara that is.

When I first arrived here, Ms Fujiwara’s face was everywhere. On the rare occasions she wasn’t on TV, she could easily be spotted advertising mobile phones, cameras, airlines, and drinks. And as she’s especially pleasing on the eyes, there were no complaints from me.

But a rumoured affair with K1 fighter Andy Hug (who died at the obscenely young age of 35 from leukemia), and a change of hairstyle and manager, sadly meant that Fujiwara-san began to disappear from our TV screens and advertising hoardings. Also, in age conscious Japan, Fujiwara is getting a bit old. She’s now 33, which for a Japanese model means she’s way past her best. And I mean way past it!

But I’m glad to say that of late Ms Fujiwara has somehow bucked this trend, and is once again a force to be reckoned with. She’s thankfully sorted out her hairstyle, possibly lied about her age, and the advertisers are once again flocking around her.

But she’s not just a pretty face, as the ever-young model has taken up the cause of helping Afghanistan’s poverty stricken children. Traveling over there, talking pictures for an exhibition, and generally alerting people to their plight.

Of course it’s this aspect of her personality that has always fascinated me, and why she’s remained my favourite Japanese celebrity. Although as a side note, it has been rumoured that Fujiwara-san will be releasing a nude photo album some time this year. Which I’m sure will be, ahem, very tasteful and artistic. And providing proceeds go towards her humanitarian fund, I’ll be sure to pick up a copy.

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