Funny Japanese Game Show With American Voice Over
Hilarious, inspired show!
Probably like a lot of people, I discovered this show while idly channel-flipping. At first the games themselves fascinated me. I'd heard about Japanese game shows for years, but only seen brief snippets of them. I started laughing hysterically as a succession of hapless schmucks got slammed by huge fake boulders rolling down a narrow channel. But it took a while for the bizarre and clever dubbed-in voiceovers to register. Once they did, I realized that I'd found a new favorite. This show combines elements of "Fear Factor" with "Mystery Science Theater 3000" and "What's Up Tiger Lilly?" The completely made-up spoof of Japanese game shows called "Banzai" that was briefly popular a few months ago was somewhat amusing, but this show just delivers HUGE and consistent belly laughs, and that's as healthy as a tub of granola and tofu, and lots easier to take.
An earlier poster listed the fake names given to some of the games in this show, but I just heard my favorite tonight. In this game, a contestant clings to a huge spinning mushroom that is propelled over a pool of muddy water, trying to land on a small platform at the other end of the pool. The name of the game was "Eat Shitaki." I almost ruptured myself.
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I like mayonnaise!
This is one of those shows that I only watch when I happen to turn on the TV when it is on (or more often, when I come home and my roommates are watching it, since I almost never watch TV), but every single time I see it I am rolling on the floor laughing. It's easy to call something like this stupid, mindless fun, but the idea of it is great and, if nothing else, the voiceovers are brilliant. The hosts say the most random things imaginable but are unbelievably hilarious. I just saw an episode a few minutes ago which featured some military guys against some beauty pageant people (that's about the extent of my knowledge, I couldn't hear much more than that over my own laughter) and one of hosts says, "I just tried to talk to the beauty pageant winner but she totally blew me off," to which the other host understandingly replied, "Yeah, they win one beauty pageant and it goes right to their life-like heads."
Such a simple line, but I almost fell out of my chair laughing at it. The jokes are not really jokes, they hide their punch-lines in normal sounding conversation which makes it even funnier because, as Gallagher has taught us, "Comedy is a surprise, you see. If I just did what you expected all the time it wouldn't be damn funny!" Needless to say, the jokes in this show are so outlandish and so random that it's impossible not to laugh, even if only at the obscurity of it all. The summary line above, for example, was exclaimed by a woman as she jumped up to take her best shot at becoming one of the ten most painful eliminations of the day.
This has been brought up on the message boards for this movie, but if they ever come out with a DVD collection of this show I will be the first guy in line to add it to my tiny collection of TV show DVDs, along with my Simpsons collections and Sledge Hammer collection. This show makes me laugh harder and more consistently than The Simpsons, which is by far my favorite TV show of all time. Every episode of MXC that I see brings it closer to the top of my list, and although it will never pass the Simpsons, this is not a show to be missed. Bring on the DVDs!
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God help me. I watch it.
MXC can be described with 4 words: "Iron Chef" meets "Jackass".
Kenny Blakenship and Vic Ramano host a hillarious game show that looks like the outtakes from a film. Through out the show, contestants participate in a variety of activities such as "Rotating Surfboard of Death", "Brass Balls", "Boulder Dash", and "Pole Vault". The instant replays of the contestants getting hurt are sinfully funny. At the end of the episode, Kenny and Vic countdown the "Most Painful Eliminations of the Day".
What can I say? If you like lame voice dubbing, weird names, and people getting hurt, MXC is for you.
Grade: A- (Indeed, Ken)
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One of the much better shows on Spike TV
On a channel full of gross-out South Park rip-offs, Star Trek and Beer bellies, the show MXC has to be the gold that comes up from the cheap tin foil. The show is a spoof of the old gameshow called "Takeshi no Taji", featuring comical dubbing and strange as I'll get competitions.
MXC is probably one of the better shows on these days. And very interesting to those who want to know how strange Asian gameshows can get.
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MXC is coming out on DVD
As one of the exec producers and creators of MXC, I would like to thank all the loyal fans of the show who have remained loyal throughout its irregular scheduling on Spike. As anybody in television knows, after we license the show to a network, scheduling matters are pretty much out of our hands. Fortunately, one thing that is finally under our control is the release of MXC on DVDs. After two and a half years of trying to secure all the various rights and licenses from all the many parties who have a finger in the MXC pie, we are pleased to announce that we will very soon close a deal with a distributor so MXC will be out on DVD sometime this fall. We originally hoped to have closed a deal so DVDs would be available this summer, but as you probably know, the whole digital content business is going through a revolutionary (i.e., very scary for the financial boys) phase and the already prolonged process was extended even further. The release date will not be be finally determined for a few weeks, but it will most likely be sometime from late September through early October. If anybody wants to be placed on a mailing list to receive official notification of a release date and other information, please write me at mostextreme2003@yahoo.com. Thanks for letting us not get eliminated!
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WOW is this show funny!
This show had me laughing so hard, I just couldn't stop! Even when I remember some of the bumps and thumps of the contestants I still laugh. I hope it comes out on DVD one day, because I plan on getting it. If you don't like this kind of physical comedy, stick to blah stuff like Friends. Other than that, enjoy!
10 out of 10. Love the dubbing!
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"MXC: Most Extreme Elimination Challenge"- A hilarious spin on a classic Japanese game-show.
Running from 2003-2007 on American network SpikeTV, "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge" (better known simply as "MXC") was a warped, sometimes twisted but always consistently amusing experimental program that supplied endless laughs and even an occasional pained groan from viewers. The premise is simple: take a classic extreme Japanese game- show known as "Takashi's Castle" and re-edit the footage, overdubbing the original dialog with a small group of talented voice-over artists in order to give it a new, creative spin for the sake of comedy. And my god, does it work!
The series follows two "teams" in every episode who are forced to go through frankly demented physical challenges in order to earn points. The teams are often amusing contradictions of one another ("Cops VS Cons", "Donors VS Addicts", etc.) or just nonsensical groupings created for the sake of random comedy. ("Meat Handlers VS Cartoon Voice Actors" being one that pops into mind) All the while, our two hilarious announcers Kenny Blankenship (voiced by Chris Darga) and Vic Romano (voiced by Victor Wilson) provide us with amusing banter and play- by-plays to often laugh-out-loud effect.
The highlight of the series is definitely the insanity of some of the physical challenges players are forced into and how it is contrasted with the great overdubbed humor. You'll see people being thrown about, having their bodies slammed into walls, falling into pools of water, and just generally being brutalized in a series of events each episode. My personal favorite has always been "Log Drop"- a challenge where contestants must run over a series of rollers that will inevitably begin spinning the second one foot is placed on them. It makes for some of the most insane spills and bails I've ever seen.
Our two leads are just a blast and a half. Blankenship is portrayed as a High School dropout with an unprofessional work ethic but a bubbly attitude that only got the job because his "uncle owns the network." He is balanced by "straight man" Romano, who takes his job perhaps a bit too seriously, causing him to often become angry with his co-host. Supporting characters on the show also include the creepy Guy LeDouche (voiced by John Cervenka)- a pith-helmet wearing weirdo with a French accent and a questionable sexuality, and Captain Tenneal (also voiced by Cervenka)- a gruff field-captain who often introduces each episode's teams and stands by during the challenges.
It is without question that the series is definitely going for the low-brow end of humor, but I think that it works well and compliments the original footage that is being subverted by the new editing and narration. This is not the type of series you watch for complex satirical analysis of modern social/political issues. This is good, old junkfood TV. The type of show you pop on when you get home after work and just wanna relax and have a few silly belly- laughs. I also will comment however, that there's plenty of really subtle recurring gags that do make it worthwhile should you decide to watch throughout the entire series. You may notice recurring characters, family names and even one or two very minor sub-plots here and there that reward long-time viewers.
As it stands, even nearly ten years after production ended, I still find myself loading up old episodes of MXC to watch. It's just good fun and I honestly think its a shame that it ended when it did. It could have kept going forever as far as I am concerned. Silly, fun and broad humor like this never goes out of fashion. I give it a very strong 9 out of 10.
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what a great, funny show!
This show is hilarious! hands down.
The dubbing over the Japanese voices is worth a look. Since they completely change what was being said, and it is hilarious. Sometimes even adding some of the stupidest comments to their mouths as they turn to the camera, then shout.
The contestants are ridiculous in how far they will go. Seeing them run into doors head-on is great. Some of the games like Sinkers and Floaters, Fly on the Wall, and most of the others are fun to watch.
This show is definitely a must see for anyone who is looking for a laugh. You will definitely find it in this show. If not in the contestants, then in the ridiculous dubbing.
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I laughed so much, my face hurts!
Clips taken from an incredibly violent Japanese game show, redubbed into American English with some of the most incredible double-entendres ever mentioned on cable TV, with a dash of low humor for balance.
I can barely bring myself to describe it! It is hysterical! The odd and inspired humor of the dubbing (including the surreal names given to the contestants) adds to the bizarre stunts that these people are going through (Try making this show in the USA and see how far the insurance companies will let you!).
Truly, one of the funniest things ever to be on TV, and one of the reasons I still have cable!
"Right you are, Ken!"
Rating 12/10
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Americanized...and we love it!
Takeshi's castle was a Japanese Gameshow in which 100 Contestants would invade a castle full of obstacle courses in search of 1 million yen, equal to $10,000 US. it was highly popular in japan but only aired for 3 years.
14 years after the last episode of Takeshi's Castle Aired, US TV Network Spike got a hold of all the footage on Takeshi's Castle, and dubbed it in their own way, making it one of spike's funniest shows ever.
Kenny Blankenship and Vic Romano are the hosts of MxC, the most Extreme Competition in Town. they provide commentary on some ridiculous challenges, in which 2 themes of people would be competing for pretty much nothing. then they would go through the 10 most painful eliminations of the day, then end the show with 3 words...
"Don't Get Eliminated!" It's too bad this show doesn't Produce any more episodes, but at least spike still airs the reruns every so often. catch them sometime, you won't be disappointed.
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One of the Funniest things I've ever seen
Most Extreme Elimination Challenge (MXC) is probably the one show nobody ever thought would be funny, but it turned out to be one of the most anticipated shows rotated into Spike TV's lineup. This show comes from Japan, where it is broadcast as a real game show. But here in the states they just edit their voice in and let the comedy flow. The show honestly keeps me laughing consistently, for it's stupid humor. The people doing the voices really come up with some of the dumbest stuff to make up for the voices, but in the end it turns out to be a hilarious combo with the real footage of the original show. So honestly check this one out for comedic purposes, don't watch for the competition, watch for the comedic edge.
10/10
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Funniest show on TV
This is, without a doubt, the FUNNIEST show on tv right now. Taking footage from the insane japanese game show "Takeshi's Castle" and re-dubbing it in english makes for one huge laugh riot. It can get vulgar at times and some of the games don't translate as well as others but it is still always funny. If you liked Kung-pow you will LOVE this.
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Like watching a live action Japaneese video game
Only from Japan could something like MXC come from. Originally called Takashi's Castle, the show featured people dressed up weirdly doing all sorts of odd events. I haven't seen the original, but I don't know if there is a winner to this thing. TNN (soon to be called Spike TV) bought the episodes of this show and overdubbed it with outlandish and hilarious dialog. The dialog goes with the spirit of the show. In the new version, there are two teams of people that go against each other (ex. Cops vs. cons, Meat factory workers vs. voice over artists). Some of the games are downright silly, but I think that is the point. The new dialog can also get racy.
Somehow, this triggered a memory. Years ago, I believe CBS tried to reduplicate the original show. They result was an unsold pilot called Storming The Castle. It was hosted by Michael Burger and burned off during the summer (when most pilots were burned off). There was even a phony audience/laugh track thrown in for good mesure. Now I don't know if they got the idea from this show, but they seemed closely related with one another. The only difference is the CBS pilot was dumbed down.
This is a fun show and will fit perfectly into Spike TVs new schedule. Check it out.
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Funniest Reality Show on TV
If your sense of humor runs along the lines of ridiculous, unbelievably silly, and downright immature (like mine!) then you will absolutely LOVE this show! The Japanese "sports" challenges themselves are very goofy and quite creative. My favorite challenges involve jumping off a trampoline and trying to stick to a Velcro wall and running across huge spinning foam logs above a muddy water pit. Just watching the show on mute could make me erupt in helpless giggles, but what really sends me over the edge is the outrageous comments made by the voice-overs. The combination of the two is unmatched in television, as far as I'm concerned.
Unfortunately, as far as I know, you can only see it on TV, since it hasn't released to DVD yet. I am fervently hoping it comes out on DVD soon.
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Funniest series ever on television
My wife and I found it impossible to be depressed while watching this show. Seriously. This show has helped us cope through some pretty rough times including deaths in the family, financial hardships, and even medical setbacks. It's just so silly and constantly funny that you don't have a chance to think about anything other than what's happening on the screen in front of you. The speedy dialog of quick quips and the steady stream of cartoon-like violence with the contestants created one of those things that comes but once in a lifetime. MXC is a true television treasure! If this show doesn't make you laugh, something may be seriously wrong with you.
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Stanleys Stamp Of Approval: I Cried Laughing So Hard
My friend introduced me to this show, and I laughed so hard at these Asians doing stupid things, I actually cried. The only other time I cried while watching some comedy movie was Super Troopers. But this show has great dubbing, hilarious cracks and jokes, and funny spills and crashes. I honestly don't know how someone could even get back up on some of the falls that happened. I remember watching one where one guy tried to do a back flip, but in midair, his head smashed into the dirt. He got back up, and continue running, but fell over again. This show is painful, but hilarious to watch. Also, listen to these words of advice: DON'T WATCH THIS SHOW ON MUTE!!! It takes the fun out of it, and you wont laugh as hard. -$tanley
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One of the best shows of all time
First off, I think of myself as a fairly intelligent person. Not a genius, not an intellectual, but a pretty smart, philosophical sort of guy. That being said, I really have no qualms about admitting that I love this show. Although it appears on the surface to be a 30-minute slew of overdubbed, shameless sexual innuendos and sophomoric drug/alcohol jokes (in which department it is certainly not lacking, I can't deny), I was pleasantly surprised to discover upon viewing that much of the writing is actually more clever than was immediately apparent. It seems like such an easy show to do, but writing doubtlessly has its share of trials and is probably much harder than it looks, and the fact that the comments come so naturally and blend so smoothly with the gesticulations of the two "hosts" without even being noticed by the viewer is, I think, a testament to the skills of both the writers and the voice actors. Of course, the target is an easy one, as Japanese game shows are so outrageous from an American perspective, they almost parody themselves. In that regard, and in the fact that it owes its existence to an underrated cult classic called Mystery Science Theater 3000, the show breaks no new ground. However, the important thing is that it makes me laugh every time I watch it--certainly, it has a higher guffaw-per-minute than most, if not all, sitcoms. That's all that really matters to me, though some of the more uptight critics refuse to acknowledge that such traits are important.
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If you miss MST3K, then you have to watch this.
There hasn't been anything this funny and cleverly written since Mystery Science Theater 3000 went off the air. There really isn't one thing about this show that I don't like, except that they don't show enough new episodes. Now in it's second season, (on the air since April 2003), I again have a great TV show to look forward to watching. Even repeated viewings of reruns are funny, there's also something you missed before. You need to watch for yourself, as it's too difficult to try to explain the premise...sports, spills and spoofs. Check it out asap.
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THIS SHOW ROCKS!!!
I saw this show for the first time last week and couldn't believe my eyes! It's hilarious! Apparently they got some bizarre Japanese game show and added new voices and "stories". The results are wicked insane and very funny! My favorite character is "The Captain". They should give the writers and actors a big raise so that they don't leave to do other stuff. They're geniuses! Everyone I know is watching it, you should too! Check it out!
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an instant classic
I used to watch this with my boyfriend all the time last year at his place. I was in best buy yesterday and saw the DVD and had to buy it for him. well for us. we watched a few of the episodes last night and neither one of us could stop laughing. i nearly started crying from laughing so hard. Neither one of us had seen any of the episodes on the DVD that we have watched so far. i guess we were both kinda stoked to see some one/old episodes. the Takeshi castle episode is priceless. I know in like 5 years from now we are going to go back and watch the DVD and it is just going to bring back so many memories. he was so excited when he opened it up.
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Bizarre beyond belief
The wonder of this show (in my reckoning) is trying to figure out what the heck was happening in the Japanese original. I'm not a huge fan of the 'added' hosts and overdubbed commentary, but I get a certain weird fascination (probably related to the peculiar attraction that highway accidents have) in trying to figure out just what the contestants in the original "Takeshi's Castle" were trying to accomplish. People are doing bizarre and pretty dangerous things here -- I don't think you could do this in North America, and if you did, you'd attract personal injury lawyers like a magnet attracts iron filings.
It did give me my own entertainment concept -- the idea of taking American Reality shows (I'm thinking here of "The Apprentice", but it would work for almost any of them), and overdubbing the audio (just like Most Extreme Elimination Challenge) for overseas broadcast in non-English speaking countries. Foreign broadcast rights for TV shows are cheap, as is vocal talent. In the right hands, it could probably be a moneymaker. I'd relish writing lines for Donald Trump...
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Just fun to watch
I really enjoy this show.
The challenges are nearly impossible and the wipe outs are often spectacular. The voice overs are so outrageous that there isn't a drop of self righteousness anywhere. It is hysterical to watch the Japanese people in their little helmets failing miserably and getting slammed into a pit of mud face first.
It is the perfect injury/reality/comedy TV, something that will appeal mostly to men but some women as well.
Not a bad show for Spike TV.
This, from a culture that dispenses soiled panties from vending machines.
God bless Japan!
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Giiiiiiiit it on!
"Most Extreme Elimination Challenge" is one of the funniest things to ever hit American television.
The show takes a Japanese reality/game show called "Takeshi's Castle" and turns it into...well...MXC.
It is nearly impossible to describe the greatness of the show...or even to describe what the show is even about. Needless to say, "Kenny Blankenship" and "Vic Romano" (backed ably by "Captain Tenneal" and "Guy la Douche") make for the funniest team of announcers in the business. What that business is, I'm not entirely sure about.
If this review seems a bit ambiguous, it's because I have a very hard time putting my finger on what exactly makes this show so great. Rest assured, though, that it is. Please watch!
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Geated show on cable!
MXC is by far the best reason to watch spike TV, and basic cable in general. spike TV's lineup usually consists of hours of CSI, wrestling, star trek, and more wrestling. but shows like this and Hey! spring of trivia! make late night TV more worthwhile, (not to mention the last call mainstay; Max-x) The dialog is hilarious. my favorite stunt is the log rolling one, because EVERYONE takes a fall on it. I have a feeling the Japanese version is nowhere near as clever, and being trimmed down to 30 minutes probably does it justice. what a lot of folks don't know is that the main character Takeshi (Vic Romano) starred in a lot of violent Japanese fighting movies like "battle royal". the Japanese like to see grown men in tricycle races, but they don't get to enjoy the winner shouting triumphantly "I won! I won! Kiss my ass!" Be sure to look for the contestant named "babaganoosh" every episode. Don't get ELiminated!
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A lot more fun
I watched this show years ago when it first came on TV in the UK and loved it straight away.
Adding sound effects and voice overs to clips of Takeshi's Castle makes this show a lot more fun to watch.
The commentary is hilarious.
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