AJBryant
New Member
甲冑師 katchuu-shi
Posts: 1,972
|
Post by AJBryant on Sept 21, 2012 22:04:46 GMT -5
So a couple of weeks ago, I got an e-mail from a showrunner for a new Japanese quiz-show based on the theme of foreigners who know a hell of a lot about "traditional Japanese things" more than most Japanese do. You know. Folk music, art, literature, medieval history....
Anyway, she asked if I'd be interested in appearing on the show on the medieval history episode. I said it sounded really interesting, but I don't live in Japan any more.
So...
Got an e-mail back. They're flying me to Tokyo next month for four days to shoot the show.
>boggle<
So... yeah.
Going back to Japan for the first time in like 12 years.
Life is good. ;D
|
|
Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
|
Post by Saionji Shonagon on Sept 21, 2012 23:48:38 GMT -5
I think this absolutely warrants a "You suck." It's good to hear from you again, Sensei. Enjoy your trip!
|
|
|
Post by Yawata Saburou Tadamori on Sept 22, 2012 0:14:03 GMT -5
Sounds awesome! Any chance of a copy of the episode finding its way onto here?
|
|
|
Post by Kano Hiroyoshi on Sept 22, 2012 9:43:22 GMT -5
<NapoleonDynamite> LUCKY!! </NapoleonDynamite>
|
|
|
Post by Please Delete on Sept 23, 2012 8:32:47 GMT -5
Awesome!
When are you going? And can you extend the stay? I'm headed out in October, so if we are there around the same time, maybe we can get together? I'll be there from the 15th-27th in the Tokyo/Yokohama area (there is a Nakamura Ryu Battodo taikai in Tsurumi on the 21st if anyone is interested).
-Ii
|
|
AJBryant
New Member
甲冑師 katchuu-shi
Posts: 1,972
|
Post by AJBryant on Sept 24, 2012 11:17:22 GMT -5
Dang, I couldn't extend it that long. I think the latest I can hold out is around the 11th or 12th, which would be way too early I think for you to get out there. (Actually, I don't even know if I can hold it out that long -- I'm still waiting on the itinerary, and I'm not sure when we're shooting.)
|
|
AJBryant
New Member
甲冑師 katchuu-shi
Posts: 1,972
|
Post by AJBryant on Oct 1, 2012 20:10:28 GMT -5
Update:
It may not be happening for me after all.
We're discussing travel arrangements, but I'm getting more and more... concerned... about the show.
They want all us gaijin contestants to wear armour. So we're the trained monkeys on display.
Also, the questions are things like "Why did ABC do XYZ."
Well, a good historian -- an HONEST historian -- would say "Unless you have a diary or letter written by ABC where he SAYS 'I did XYZ because blahblah,' all you've got is supposition. Maybe it's a right answer -- some answers are more logical than others. But still, they're GUESSES at best. And historians have made careers arguing pet theories that contradict other historians." I can't do this kind of thing.
So: Ask me why something happened, I can't tell you. I can give you a possibility, but unless the possibility *I* am thinking matches the possibilities as decided upon by the guy who wrote the question, it's "wrong."
I don't like that too much.
So...
Maybe no Japan.
And you know what? I'm okay with that. I don't HAVE to go to Japan right now. I'll be perfectly happy going on my own terms on my own schedule next year.
It's just that my own self-image as a serious (I know, I know) historian is somewhat at odds with showing up on a Japanese game show wearing armour and goofing for the yucks.
|
|
Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
|
Post by Saionji Shonagon on Oct 1, 2012 20:26:13 GMT -5
It's just that my own self-image as a serious (I know, I know) historian is somewhat at odds with showing up on a Japanese game show wearing armour and goofing for the yucks. You're serious about what matters. If it's not to be, it's not to be.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2012 20:45:06 GMT -5
It's just that my own self-image as a serious (I know, I know) historian is somewhat at odds with showing up on a Japanese game show wearing armour and goofing for the yucks. I think we're all familiar with the great lengths to which Japanese games shows will go to humiliate people. I've seen videos... on the Internet! If you can manage (in the face of such) to maintain your dignity and function as the historian you know you are, then you'll win even if you lose. That's what, anyway, my Yoda inner me tells, hm?
|
|
|
Post by tengumoon on Oct 1, 2012 21:12:57 GMT -5
Just make sure to ask if the question what happens when you get the answer wrong! Do they drop you into a barrell of water? do they drop a bucket of goop on your head? and so on...
|
|
|
Post by Please Delete on Oct 2, 2012 19:12:28 GMT -5
Definitely go on your own terms. Heck... let some of us know and we'd be happy to accompany you!
-Ii
|
|
AJBryant
New Member
甲冑師 katchuu-shi
Posts: 1,972
|
Post by AJBryant on Oct 3, 2012 11:32:48 GMT -5
LOL!
Yeah, well... I sent them an e-mail saying "thanks, but no thanks," and explained my issue with the show.
Basically, I don't need to get back to Japan so badly that I would compromise my rep this way.
|
|
|
Post by Takeda Sanjuichiro on Oct 3, 2012 16:49:57 GMT -5
Question is to you get to pick the armor, and do you get to keep it??? *joking*
|
|
erink
New Member
Posts: 71
|
Post by erink on Oct 4, 2012 12:15:25 GMT -5
You should look up the podcast of the This American Life episode that's about Americans who live in China. Apparently westerners get asked to be on TV all the time, there's an interesting story about a man who went on a talk show and wouldn't sing for them. I'll go to Japan with you folks any time.
|
|