[JAPAN] TELEVIEW / TV raises questions in more ways than one

March 16, 2008 by Dennis Amith

In the latest Teleview column by Wm. Penn on the Daily Yomiuri, Penn wrote, “Trivia quiz shows will be back in the early prime time lineup in full force this spring, but there is no 64,000 dollars question and just a single million-yen quest. Million Kazoku (TV Tokyo, Tuesdays) returns April 8 in what it promises will be a more powerful version. Always advertising on its Web site for willing challengers, this is the only current show offering families a chance to take home some significant cash or, in this case, hide themselves inside their own homes and collect the cash if they succeed in outwitting their pursuers.”"Cash and prizes are not what keeps Japanese trivia quiz shows rolling along. Unlike the U.S. hit Wheel of Fortune, (broadcast on SkyPerfecTV’s Channel 343–GLC, the 24-hour English Conversation Channel), where a lucky guest could easily take home several million yen, a trip and maybe even a car in one 30-minute appearance, Japanese TV quiz programs are not overly generous.”

“Viewers are supposed to sit back and be satisfied with the knowledge that the programs’ budgets are going to a worthy cause–keeping hundreds of struggling but talentless talento from starving–and that, as viewers, they are acquiring a treasure trove of historical, cultural and gourmet trivia for future reference.”

“The trivia focus this spring will be on strengthening one’s knowledge of Japan every night of the week.”