Do Japanese Have Couch Potatoes If They Sit on the Floor?

By Bobby Okinaka

The latest entry into the late night television talk show market is “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on ABC. With Leno and Letterman representing their parents’ generation, college kids are tuning into Kimmel’s frat boy brand of humor. On a recent show between the hip celebrity guests and a bacon eating contest, Kimmel debuted an song and dance act from Tokyo called “Happatai.” Wearing nothing but a giant leaf covering their privates, the six Japanese men sang their hit song “Yatta” to a comical dance routine akin to synchronized swimming without the Olympic-sized pool.

For many in the Hollywood audience, this was not the first time to see Happatai. A couple years ago, the “Yatta” music video was circulated over the Web and quickly became a cult hit in broadband-connected college dorm rooms across the country. The appeal… well you’ll just have to see the video for yourself. (link to http://web.mit.edu/patil/www/media/video/yatta.asf)

Contrary to rumors that they are an actual boy band, Happatai originated as a sketch for a variety show called “The Laughing Dog’s Passion” hosted by the comedy duo of Utchan Nanchan. As for the name, “happa” is the word for green leaf and “tai” connotes a group or club.

Kimmel, tapping into his market, shelled out $40,000 in plane tickets to fly the comedians and their entourage to Los Angeles for five minutes of pure television entertainment. And in a moment of true international bridge crossing, the cherubic-looking comedian dropped trou and joined his Japanese guests by donning his own giant green leaf.

Japanese television, particularly game shows, have always held a special place in the hearts of couch potatoes on this side of the Pacific. The debut show of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” was actually a collection of Japan’s funniest home videos first aired by another comedy duo on their self-titled “The Ken and Kato Show.” Perhaps the most creative show to cross over is the Food Network’s program about dueling with delicacies in the cult hit, “Iron Chef.” “The Simpsons” even paid tribute to the Japanese game show when the first family of television took a trip to Tokyo and had to compete in “Fear Factor” like challenges to win tickets back home. In fact, with the move in prime time programs towards “challenge-oriented” game shows like “Survivor” and “Fear Factor,” American television is starting to look more Japanese with every click of the remote.

The next import will be on cable’s TNN starting in April. The show is called “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge” and it’s based on the craziest Japanese game show from the 80’s called “Takeshi’s Castle.” The show is a human video game that challenges contestants to hang on to a spinning pole for dear life or run into a wall that is either made of paper or tin or any other odd assortment of sadistic games. Check it out if you enjoy seeing people get humiliated.