Banzai!!!

The show rocks, so far. I caught it about ten minutes after it started and the format is interesting. Of course, much of the hilarity comes from the insane announcers, whom are decidedly un-PC. The kanji graphics are great, too.

Too bad bets can't be made in money. I wonder when the rival station show knock-offs will arrive.

UPDATE(8/7/2003 11:50am)
Hiigaran, who commented below, is right. Some people are making a fuss over the show. I kinda expected that.

"We think it's hysterically funny," Fox programming chief Gale Berman told members of the Television Critics Association yesterday. "We think it's definitely different and edgy."

While Berman made her remarks, about 30 people picketed outside of the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel where the press tour is being held.

"Banzai" is a parody of Japanese game shows known for allowing contestants to participate in extreme behavior that is at odds with the country's reserved society. Fox began airing the show last Sunday.

Aki Aleong, president of the Media Action Network for Asian Americans, believes the exaggerated accents used by the narrators in "Banzai" reinforces negative stereotypes of Asians here.

"This is America," Aleong said. "They do not do shows with the 'N' word anymore. They took off 'Amos n Andy' when it was a top-10 show. They took off the Frito Bandito because it was offensive."

Aleong said his group wasn't looking for Fox to cancel "Banzai" but would like it "retooled" to eliminate the accents or have some Asian actors who speak English clearly.

"We laughed at the games on the show," he said. "We would support this show in a minute if it had some balance."

I'm sorry...is it not the case the native Japanese have accents when speaking English? Are we to deny reality so you don't have to face an accent!?

Posted by Drizzten at July 13, 2003 07:53 PM