TV in Japan

A couple weeks ago I posted this clip of a very strange Japanese TV program where a bunch of guys who looked like students were forced to watch a very funny non-native English speaker and not laugh.

Of course, they couldn't. Which was funny.

But then they were beaten. Which made it funnier. At least to me.

Turns out a lot of other people found it funny as well. The video now has over 300,000 views on YouTube and has been blowing up as of late.

Now, I have answers. Thanks to commentors and the internet.

That clip and this one that I posted a week ago featuring K-1 Champ Ernesto Hoost are both products of the comedy groups "Down Town" and "Cocorico", both of which have been making great Japanese television for quite a while now.

According to TViJ reader Pacific Dreams, these clips specifically are part of a "Butsu Game" in which the comedians have to spend 24 hours without laughing or face the stick.

Originally, I thought that these guys were just nobodies off the street but I think it's actually funnier that real celebrities have to go through this kind of punshinment in the name of hilarity.

Anyways, hope that clears up some of the questions. More information (or corrections) is always a good thing so if you've got insider information, let me know. Spread this post around and I'll update it as I see what new info comes in.

Pacific Dreams has also mentioned that these clips are part of the DVD series "Gaki No Tsukai". I've found these for sale via CDJapan here if you're interested in picking them up any time soon. They aren't cheap (around $70 bucks each) but maybe we can all buy one and share. In the spirit of the internets.

In the meantime, here's another clip from the same show where the guys have to watch a terrible woman dance and, still, cannot laugh. Or they will be beaten.



More on Down Town.
More on Cocorio and other Japanese TV comedy groups.