An Apology for the Fallen

You owe it to yourself to watch “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge” on TNN. It’s a reproduction of some Japanese show called Takeshi’s Castle. It’s on Saturday and Sunday nights. Check your local listings.

Anyway, Takeshi’s Castle is one of those Japanese extreme game shows where people do really stupid things for no prize other than humiliation and personal injury. I’ve been watching this show for three weeks now, and I’ve come to realize a fundamental truth of humankind. People getting hurt is really funny. We all know we’re not supposed to laugh when people get hurt. But there is something undeniably hilarious about a guy in tight shorts and a bicycle helmet being knocked over by a huge polystyrene boulder.

I know I’m supposed to feel guilty about that. So I apologize to the hundreds of Japanese people I saw falling down, running into things, being tackled by costumed ruffians, and sliding face first into the mud; because I laughed at all of them. I also apologize to the anonymous student I saw fall on the ice back in college when I was at Iowa State. Watching that poor guy flap his arms like a chicken on his way down was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.

81 Responses to “An Apology for the Fallen”

  1. mskoog Says:

    the root of all humor is based on the suffering of others

  2. Troy Says:

    I too enjoy this show immensely. I just found out it was on last week while I was finding something to flip to during the Simpsons (well not during the Simpsons but during the commercials). Good stuff. I don’t really care for the dubbed over commentary but the people getting hurt is priceless.

  3. Jay Says:

    Hey Justis…Don’t mean to blow your theory on ‘Most Extreme Elimination Challenge’…but here I go. The contestants are not competing for personal injury and humiliation (as you put it). Takeshi’s Castle was a game show in which there were actual cash prizes (approx. 1 million yen if the castle was succesfully stormed). TNN’s hacked editing with the dub over doesn’t do the original justice (I used to watch the original when I taught English in Japan). Don’t get me wrong, I find TNN’s hyped up version quite funny, but it does come off disjointed and pointless in the end. A Straight dub over (a la Iron Chef) would have been more entertaining.

  4. justis Says:

    Thanks for the update, Jay. I did find that out shortly after posting this. So just pretend that it reads, “….one of those Japanese extreme game shows where people do really stupid things for no prize other than humiliation and personal injury, and like a million yen.”

    I would like to see some directly translated episodes of TC. Based on the number of hits I’ve gotten this month by people searching for “Most Extreme Elimination Challenge”, I’m sure they could get people to watch it.

    Thanks for coming by!

  5. Scott R. Says:

    I love the show it is so hilarious it would be awesome if you could send me some episiodes of most extreme elimination challenge. I am your number one fan just e mail me and ill give you my address

    thanx
    scott r

  6. Craig Says:

    but I find the overdubs to be hilarious. They add to the fun.

    Just one man’s opinion.

  7. craig Says:

    hey! you stole my name! Does anyone know if and/ or where you can find dubbed Takeshi’s Castle episodes?

  8. Ted Turner Says:

    The best part of the show, hands down, is the professional commentary. The whole reason why anyone who doesn’t have past work experience teaching english in Japan, would watch the show is for the color commentary. Come on, “Our next contestants are Peggy and Rick Gardner from Cedar Falls, she’s a homemaker and he works light construction,” now that is classic. Who cares if anyone storms the damn castle

  9. Glenn A. Says:

    The commentary is hilarious. If you are looking for deep thought you are watching the wrong channel.

  10. John N Says:

    Most Extreme Elimination Challenge is destined to become a classic. Hosted by Vic Romano and Kenny Blankenship with Guy Ladouche monitoring things from the field. The very premise of this show, taking some cheesy Japanese challenge program and turning into a true comedic classic. Way to go TNN, you just raised the bar on humour by taking it to the limit.

  11. kevin Says:

    In my opinion, the show is hilarious because of the dubbing. The antics are funny in themselves but the dubbing is priceless.

  12. Ben L. Says:

    I found this show about a month ago while clicking through the channels and i cant get enough of it. Now i have all my friends watching it and i even tapped an episode and brought it into my study hall to watch it with my teacher and friends. This show is the best

  13. Tito Castro Says:

    Anpan-Man.

    Roughly translated, this means “Sweet-Bean Bread Man”. His head is made out of sweet-bean bread, with great big cutesy eyes and fat rosy cheeks, and he’s got the obligatory suit and cape, and he fights to get good wholesome food to kids everywhere so they can grow up to be big and strong. In a pinch, he has been known to tear chunks of sweet-bean bread off of his own head to feed needy kids.

    And his arch-enemy? None other than Germ Man, an evil - but cute - cross-eyed alien being in a black and purple suit, with alien antennae and teeth, and carrying a liquid container full of “germs” that he sprays on people to make them sick so he and his filthy minions can TAKE OVER THE WORLD HAHAHAHAHA.

  14. Anonymous Says:

    Just wanted to say I live in NYC and everyone I know stay home from 9:00 to 10:00 on Saturday night to watch this show. It’s way to funny. Would love to see it directly translated also. Along with a lot of my boys. Tell everyone you see about it, it will bring up great conversation the next time you see them.

  15. jack Says:

    i think the show is hillarious as it is and the fake dubbing is a must have and adds to the genius of the show. So what if its kind of pointless in the end? You know you love seing a man in short shorts slamming into a wall at full speed or attacked by a giant samurai named skanky.

  16. the angel of death Says:

    i watch in england on challenge and have wondered why such peapole would voulnteer for such a sadtistic show

  17. Michelle Says:

    Hey The Most Extreme Elimination Challenge is really cool even when watching it i literally fall on the ground with laughter when i see it but the Painful Eliminations of the Day may just sometimes be a little disturbing.

  18. Claire Says:

    Straight dubbing, no way! It can’t be as funny as it is right now. I need to find more info on this show though, does it have a web site?

  19. bellboy Says:

    omagod,
    I just watched this nonsense. And this has to be one of the funniest shows on television. I laighed my ass off. And the count down at the end is great. The commentary is so fluid I couldn’t stop laughing. Best episode “Donners v. Addicts”.
    The commentary is genius. I tip my f#ckin hat.

  20. Spence Says:

    This show kicked most honorable ass! domo arigato TNN

  21. Joseph Basile Says:

    Is there any way to find out what they are really saying?? I would like to know , because the voice overs really do follow the facial expressions and bodily gestures of the players and the hosts.

  22. Danielle Says:

    Most Extreme Elimination is the funniest show that I have ever seen. Since I seen it for the first time I have taped it and I just think its really great. Plese continue to come out with more episodes. PS - sinkers and floaters is the best.

  23. melody Says:

    so no one knows if there is any way to watch episodes online?? if you know, can you e-mail me please?

  24. englebert Says:

    What the blazes is TNN? I have been watching the programme on challenge? TV weeknights at 6.30. On there it is simply named “Takeshis Castle” and features some of the best commentary ever heard! Courtesy of Craig Charles.

  25. moises Says:

    You must,I repeat, YOU MUST put the captions on this show. The funniest part of the show is the made up commentary!!! C’mon, how about these colleges: Northwestern Bendover, Tennessee Institute of Automechanics? The show is hillarious…

  26. D Love Says:

    I have also discovered that after drinking 4-5 beers, this show is about 10 times funnier than watching it sober. Give it a try!

    Kenny Blankenship rules!

  27. Eric Says:

    This show is the best thing to reach tnn in along time. If there is anyone who hasn’t seen this they should be shot with a water pistol hooked up to a aircompressor (muhahaha). No, but seriosly if you didn’t see this you should. This show isn’t funny ………………………… its histarical.

  28. Jay G. Says:

    What’s the best challenge though? My favorite is one where they are on a flimsy little bridge, and heavy balls are being shot at them.

  29. Renzo Says:

    In my opinon, The best episode would have to be the only college girls episode because they all looked so helpless. Plus Guy Le Douche makes the top ten for performing in one of the contests. Has any one seen that one episode where the guy does a cartweel, then goes into a backflip and lands on his own neck? That was sooo damn hilarious! I just wanted to know who else found that extremely amusing!

    Favorite Quote:
    Captain: Who here believes in condoms?
    (College Girls Raise Their Hands)
    Girl: What about us lesbians?!
    Captain: Well you’ll all burn in hell of course, but before that, LET’S HAVE SOME FUN!!!

  30. CrappyOne Says:

    I’m finding some crap on Kazaa…Mainly just clips but still funny as shiznit

  31. Shawn Connery Says:

    KENNY, VIC, AND GUY ARE GODS!!!!!! ALL HAIL THEIR NOSE NUGGETS!

  32. Joe from Philly Says:

    I found this show about a month ago. After my first outburst of laughter, I needed to call my brother in chi-town. Didn’t you know it, he was watching it too.
    This will be one of the best shows this summer.
    I’m waiting for Kenny to snap & beat the snot out of Vic for always smackin’ him in the head with that chinese fan.

    Favority quote: “There’s blood in my stool”

  33. jeff Says:

    i first saw the show in health because my teacher didnt want to teach so he showed it to us. the whole class was dying of laughter as we watched it. it was fucking hilarious. both the dubbing and the lack of talent in the japanese people are hilarious. go tnn for putting on a great show.

  34. Kitt Says:

    I think the dub over is what makes you watch it, if it was in the original with subtitles…I don’t think it would keep my intrest.

    BUT I do think the dub over of the host is taken some bits of the original dio, you can tell.

  35. Dirt Dog Says:

    This show is translated in bad taste, the translators sound like hung-up comedians. The best way to watch this show is muted with some beers.

  36. Geo Says:

    Bad taste my ass! The wacky translation is the funniest thing about the show.

    “Don’t get eliminated!”

  37. Wibbidaut Says:

    I guess now’s a good time to figure out how to work that capture card.

    “honey, he’s touching my lady berries”

  38. Eric B Says:

    Guy LeDouche should run for president!

  39. Captain Teneal Says:

    The best scene yet was the guy trying to do a backflip and landing on his head.

    “I have blood in my stool”!

    DON’T GET ELIMINATED

  40. The Big C Says:

    My favorite moment was when one of the contestants actually fell on Captain Tenneal’s sword. Man was he steamed. BTW, the contestant was the captain’s idol!!!!! He actually flamed him

  41. Blondie Says:

    OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!! This show is the funniest thing to EVER hit TV! TNN has a mega hit!!! If this goes off the air, what’ll happen to mankind!?! And, NO WAY, don’t change a thing about the dubbing! That is the funniest stuff ont he air! The comments from the contestants is the best!!! Gotta love Kenny and Vic, and Guy, too!!! The contestants names are hysterical — the team names are even better!!! Way to go TNN!!

  42. erwin lemus Says:

    ooooooooooohhhhhhhhh my god mxc is the best i dont know when was the last time i saw somthing that funny the first time i saw i pissed in my pants the taco bell instent replay is the best
    and i only have on thing to say

    LETS GET ELIMINATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  43. Marian Says:

    MXC! Yes! I’m a CHICK and I love that show… how can you not? And the names… Guy LeDouche, Captain Tenneal, aaaah so funny!

  44. James Craven Says:

    What’s Captain Tenneal’s first name, Andrew?

  45. Andrew Kuhn Says:

    Ooh he colostamized himself
    that was a spines shatters
    I like dirty girls -kenny(unfertile)Blankenship
    that is funniest shit i have ever seen yeS! i love the oriental idiocy!

  46. Andrew Kuhn Says:

    Todays show sucked the funnies thing was when Teneal beat the shit out of the steam thing…

  47. Andrew Kuhn Says:

    oh and bye the way “she teaches scrapbooking to the homeless!… i pissed my self that was so funny!!!1

  48. Mimi Says:

    I’m a girl from Germany and was really surprised when I saw TAKESHI’S on TV today!
    All episodes have been broadcasted on German television (about 112) a couple of years ago and they are still popular! It used to be the most popular TV game-show on German TV!
    I like the German version much better, though.
    If you’re interested in really good Japanese movies hit TAKESHI KITANO on google and find out more about the maker and main character in TAKESHIS CASTLE! He’s still on Japanese TV acting with the same guys, still doing funny crap! By the way, the show was made in the 80s - I think it was from 1986 til 1989. Whatever…

  49. F. Davies Says:

    I love this show….who wouldn’t?
    The dubbing is hilarious….and the best part…we can watch it with the kids and the comments go right over their heads….
    Almost as funny as the skateboard dinks on RealTV…they deserve every broken bone they get!

  50. Tim Says:

    Man, that show ROOLZ! Some of my favorite things was when that one dude fell off the Mechanical Bull thingee and got a face full from “Herbie-The Steamy Pile!” , and then the steam thing tripped on the floor mats or something and the Captain guy beat the hell out of the guy,lol! Another fav I was LOLing about was when they were showing some of the new games, like Board to Death, and the one where the car flies off a ramp over a guy tied down on the street, lol.

  51. Joseph Says:

    No doubt about it, this show rocks, and the commentary is often brilliant. That said, doesn’t anyone on here find some of it just a bit infantile? Like all the balls and shaft jokes, they tend to get a bit tedious, no? I’d prefer to see more of the “she teaches scrapbooking to the homeless” humour, and less of the “tee hee, I just implied that guy is a homosexual!”

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a prude and don’t mind toilet humour, but comedy is based on surprise and those “balls and shaft” jokes get really predictable after a while.

    I’m only saying this because I think it’s the funniest show on tv and I think could be that much more perfect if they quit trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

  52. Homer Says:

    I have watched this show from the very beginning…I have them all on tape ! The Captain rulez !

    Favorite quote:
    “Kenny, I’m going to have to ask to scooch over to the other side of the booth please!”

  53. Anonymous Says:

    this is the best show in the history of television kenny and vic are my idols LETS GO!!!!!!!!!!!

  54. victoria Says:

    omg!!!!!the first time i saw this show me and my boyfriend alomst pee’s our pants its so funny. they say the the most weirdest shit i’ve ever herd, but its funnyer then hell.LOL ever person on there cracks me up, and the little comments kenny and vic say are so funny.man this is the greatest show ever invented!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  55. Chainer Says:

    This is the best show ever. Last week, I made my cousin watch it. At first, he was like ‘what is this crap, its just supid Japanese people’ by the end he was telling us how he would tape it evry week.

    Favorite Quotes
    Kenny”I think Ill donate my butt”
    Vic”Then where will you put your brain”

    Kenny”Hey it doesnt say id this guy is and addict or a doner”
    Vic”Thats because hes not. Thats Papino, the guy who drives the sandwich truck”
    Kenny”Oh yeah, hey Papino!”

    When the guy is crawling on the rolling things of death and Vicis like ‘Oh man this is the catepillar, I havent seen this move in a while’

  56. Conrad Says:

    Whats up with those fans, lol — it adds to the fun I think.

  57. Aaron Says:

    we play a drinking game while we watch. every time Vic says, “Right you are Ken” we take a shot. he says it enough in one show to get you wasted.

  58. Jeff Says:

    God Dam, that one called —- Turtle Gut Check is one of the funnier ones: along with Rusty & Crusty, those guys are funny!

  59. D.N.R. Says:

    The episode with The Steamy Pile has got to be the greatest. Anytime anyone would fall off the mechanical bug or fail to shoot down the pink bat, this dude dressed like a heap o’ crap would come trotting out and blast the poor bastard with a chemical extinguisher out of his pissed-off looking mouth. The suit was all foam and cumbersome. One time the pile came out to do his dirty work and fell onto the mat…he was all kicking with his stupid little feet trying to stand up and the Captain ran over and started bashing the pile with his sword. I though I was going to pee my pants!

  60. Anonymous Says:

    I’m dressing up as Herbie the Steamy Pile for Halloween. How can you not laugh your arse off at Herbie? Log Drop has to be the most violent and some of the moves that Vic and Kenny call…”here he is in a full San Quentin…now into an extended camel toe…on all fours into a scary Uncle…I think he’s going to make it, Kenny!”. When MXC comes on, everything stops in our house and we wake up the kids to watch too.

  61. super dave Says:

    Favorite quote
    “ohhh, he took it hard in the butt”

    Guy likes

  62. Anonymous Says:

    This show has to be the funniest show in TV history. It used to be aired on French TV years ago, and I couldn’t wait for it to come to America - and it finally did. They need to release DVDs of this show. I’d buy them in a heartbeat.

    Favorite Quote:

    Vic: “You know, Sherry is President of the Lesbian Chefs Club.”
    Kenny: “Really? She cooks? I thought lesbians ate out.”

  63. Anonymous Says:

    captain tenneal all the way!!!

    GET IT ON!

  64. {ACA} Allertor Says:

    I was looking at some background info on Herbie The Steamy Pile and the original Takeshi’s Castle bit. The original name was called The GM (General Motors?) Potato. Anyways, either way, that one episode with the Pile has got to be on of the best! Ken and Vic are awesome, along with the LeDouche guy too. WooHoo!

  65. James Says:

    I love the one where they take a look at what the show looks like in New Jersey, then Kenny asks Vic what F***N’ A means, and he tells him it’s another way to say indeed. Then Kenny says F***N’ A! and Vic says Indeed. It just goes on from there.

  66. Hilary Says:

    This truly is the greatest show in the history of television. Guy LeDouche is the man.

    Favorite Quote:
    “I’m so excited, I’m bulging with anticipation!!!” -Guy LeDouche

  67. keith Says:

    The best thing about this show is that i’ve seen some episodes about 10 times and it never gets dry. My favorite contest is bird droppings…or maybe sperm wheelers.

    Favorite contestants: Kent Worth or Hido Babaganoosh

    Favorite quote: “I wear two thongs!”

  68. MolsonCanKid Says:

    I like the game Endangering Spieces, where the contestants had to use the 40mm Recoiless Rifle. (Kenny Blankenship said that) LOL

  69. Donald Says:

    I loved that one game called Boulder Dash and this one MXC Staff member goes up the hill with fists punching, and then gets slammed by an oncoming boulder!!! Owned? :-)

  70. Wine2250 Says:

    I was watching some and saw this one version where Capt. Tenneal was helping some small kid on Sinkers/Floaters and HE (tenneal) fell in himself. LOL. I wonder if anyone else saw that.

  71. Anonymous Says:

    The guys from New Jersey Are so COOL!!!:)
    MXC is the funnest show ever!!!:)

  72. sirenkid Says:

    ACA ALLERTOR !!! Whats up with the name????? sorry im just curious :)

  73. {ACA} Allertor Says:

    It’s a name I use for a gaming clan here. Online gaming and all that. ClanACA! I saw Vic Romano in a movie called Brother, man, he was not the comical person I saw in MXC!

  74. Mr. Dimension Says:

    Don’t forget Ryan Seachest, Andy Jackson & Simon Bowel on Elimination Idol!

  75. Andrew Kuhn Says:

    THe season premeir of the new season sucked. Im soooo glad that they wen’t back to the oriental people. THE STEPPING STONES ROCKS! once again my favorite saying.. OH he got colastamized!

  76. josh Says:

    not only that, but you can buy a right you are ken t-shirt at www.rightyouareken.com. i bought one and i rock!

  77. Jayson Spears Says:

    Hahahahah-I love this show!
    my favorite game: Log Drop
    Favorite episode: Finance vs Liquor
    favorite occupation: “She runs a dude ranch for the criminally insane!”

    I also laugh when the contestants say something like:
    “Doggy style!”
    “Dont hate me because im beautiful….just kidding, you can hate me!”
    “When I laugh, I pee!”
    “I’ve lost more than you’ll ever make!”
    “My wife has the curse? How would you know that?”

  78. Jen Says:

    a few weeks ago, they had a MXC marathon on spike tv and i watched 2 1/2 straight hours of it at work and i’ve been hooked ever since! this show is the funniest program ever created! and man would i love to be a contestant.. too bad im not asian!
    Fave quote: “Of course I’m right! I’m the Captain!”

  79. JBird Says:

    just got a kick ass “Right You are Ken” shirt. check them out!

  80. mxc_vic_romano Says:

    Come join my MXC Yahoo Group!

    http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/epmxcms/

    Group owner,

    mxc_vic_romano

  81. a viewer Says:

    Submitted for your consideration: the “castle” game show premise is a cover story. In actual fact, 2 guys were out drinking after a long day working in tv programming, and the first guy said all he really wanted to see on tv was a bunch of japanese getting the crap beat out of them and dunked in water. The second guy bought the idea, rented a scout camp and hired a bunch of exchange students out of USC. And now you know the rest of the story…