Takeshi's Castle

The 'cast' of Takeshi's Castle.

Takeshi's Castle (風雲!たけし城 Fūun! Takeshi Jō) was a Japanese game show that aired from 1986 to 1989 on the Tokyo Broadcasting System. It featured the esteemed Japanese actor Takeshi Kitano (also known as "Beat" Takeshi) as a count who owns a castle and sets up impossible challenges for players (or a volunteer army) to get to him. The show has become a cult television hit around the world. A special live "revival" was broadcast on April 2, 2005, as part of TBS' 50th anniversary celebrations.

In the United States, it currently airs as MXC (subtitled Most Extreme Elimination Challenge) on Spike TV, providing both dubbing and commentary in English that effectively spoofs the original show. In addition, CBS aired a special one-hour version of the show entitled Storm the Castle in 1993. This version, which was packaged by Vin Di Bona Productions and hosted by Michael Burger, pitted 30 families against each other and against well-known monsters in a quest to win $15,000. Only one episode of Storm the Castle was produced.

In the United Kingdom, a shortened version given a comedic voiceover by Craig Charles has been shown on the Challenge television channel since 2002, where fans of the show (as well as those in Japan) are known as "Keshi-heads". On Saturday 3 September, 2005, MXC aired for the first time on UK television between 9 and 10 p.m. on Challenge under the name of Takeshi's MXC.

In India, a shortened version of the show is aired on the Pogo TV channel, with Hindi voiceover by comedian and dancer Jaaved Jaffrey. This style of fake dubbing a foreign show is very similar to that found in Woody Allen's What's Up, Tiger Lily?, where the entire plot, the order of events, and even the events themselves are completely changed.

Germany had a dubbed version of the show which aired on DSF.

Spain aired the program as Humor Amarillo (when translated it means "Yellow Comedy") in the early 1990s on TV channel Telecinco. Comedians Juan Herrera and Miguel Ángel Coll commented on the images; this version of the show has achieved cult status and there are some fansites and web petitions for reruns. In fact, the Spanish version created some terms now familiar to either Takeshi's Castle or Humor Amarillo, like “El Laberinto del Chinotauro” (name for any of the maze challenges), “Las Zamburguesas” (for Skipping Stones), and “Chino Cudeiro” (for any male contestant in red). Since January 28 of 2006, the show has been dubbed again by Fernando Costilla and Paco Bravo and can be seen on spanish TV channel Cuatro TV.

Highlights appeared in Australia on the television program World's Weirdest TV in the 1990's & in early 2006 Channel V an australian cable music network is screening the series under the "MXC" Spike TV Title.

The Australian writer and critic Clive James was once a celebrity contestant.

In Italy, a shortened version, called Mai dire Banzai ("Never Say: Banzai!") and given a comedic voiceover by Gialappa's Band was shown on Italia 1, one of Silvio Berlusconi's channels, in the 1980s; now the UK shortened version is being broadcast on an encoded satellite channel called GXT. The voiceover is done by Lillo and Greg, an Italian duo of comedians.

In Taiwan a gameshow called 100 Wars, 100 Victories was formed from the original show, similar to how MXC Almost Live was formed.

In Saudi Arabia the show was called The Fort (Arabic:الحصن). Commentary was provided by Lebanese actor (Ryadh Shararah in Arabic: رياض شرارة).

In The Philippines, it was shown on station IBC 13, with actors Anjo Yylana as Takeshi and Smokey Manaloto as Ishikura. Initially, the show was dubbed completely in Tagalog, but later episodes, particularly the commentaries between Takeshi and Ishikura, were shot on a studio set with actors dressed as the Takeshi and Ishikura. While the show was not as popular as in other countries, it held a huge following among viewers there.

In the Czech Republic, it was shown in 1990s by the name Takeshi's Castle (Czech: Takešiho hrad), with comedic voiceover by two famous Czech comedians. The show was quite popular among young viewers.

Original Takeshi's Castle Series

The original show involved about 142 contestants whom General Tani (played by Hayato Tani) effectively tested and challenged, eliminating some and keeping others by putting them through a series of silly yet challenging games. Each show finished with a Final Showdown where Count Takeshi (Takeshi Kitano) was faced by the remaining contestants. If they hit the paper ring on his cart with their water gun and the paper broke (or in later episodes, the laser hit a sensor that deactivated his cart), the castle was taken and the game "won". The player who shot down Takeshi won one million yen. Takeshi Kitano originally wanted to make the show like a human video game and although in the earlier series the games weren't exactly of a high budget, by the later episodes they had giant lakes and obstacles covering a huge area of land. The Japanese version ended when Takeshi decided the show should end and all people working on it agreed. Although the show was still very popular, they decided to end it while ahead and move onto other things. ^{[citation needed]}

Challenges

See Takeshi's Castle Challenges for the full list of challenges featured in Takeshi's Castle.

Characters

Count "Beat" Takeshi (ビートたけし; real name Takeshi Kitano) — The lord of the castle and eventual target of the competition. He also made commentary on the contestants. Known as Vic Romano on MXC.
Takeshi Doll — When Takeshi was unable to attend tapings because of real-life time served in jail in the mid 1980s (and later under house arrest), one of the Emerald Guards filled in by wearing his robe and a giant papier-mâché Takeshi head similar to the ones sports team mascots use over their heads. ^{[citation needed]}
Saburo Ishikura (石倉三郎) — First advisor (or councillor) of Takeshi. Discussed the competition with Takeshi and provided comedy skits as well. He was shown on MXC as a teacher showing Vic (Takeshi) how to be a lumberjack.
Sonomanma Higashi (そのまんま東) — Originally leader of the Emerald Guards, he replaced Ishikura as Takeshi’s advisor in the middle of the series run. Known as Kenny Blankenship on MXC.
Takeshi's Gundan (Defence Troops) (たけし軍団) — The Count's guards who wore white or emerald green, seen in "Final Showdown" and other challenges, and are more popularly known as "The Emerald Guards". When Higashi became Takeshi's new advisor, Omori Utaeman took over as the leader. Other members included Matsuo Bannai, Tsunami Edamame, Yurei Yanagi (or "Joker"), Rakkyo Ide, Great Gidayu (known Purple Ronnie or Putrid Porker in the UK version), Danken, Third Nagasima, "Rusher" Itamae, Taka Gadarukanaru, Hakase Suidobashi, Sintaru Mizushima and "Loyal" Tadajij Kikuchi. Rakkyo Ide was the bald guy in the "Monsters Special" who wore a shark outfit and suffered some serious bleeding when he fell in during “Skipping Stones”. These troops were also usually seen in the background behind Takeshi and his advisor during the show. In MXC, they are known as teamsters, game testers, Department of Education playground monitors, and flunkies, among others.
General Tani (real name Hayato Tani) (谷隼人) — Led the contestants through the challenges set by Count Takeshi. Known as General Lee in the UK and India version, Captain Tenneal in the US, Napoleón in the Spanish and Generale Putzerstofen in the Italian. His real-life wife, Kikko Matsuoka, appeared in an episode and slapped him silly for not eating his noodles. On international specials (involving non-Japanese players), he was assisted by a lady who served as Tani's translator whose name is unknown. On the UK version, she is referred to as Corporal Psycho Kirsty. On MXC she was called Pey'oncé (name taken from pop-star, Beyoncé Knowles).
Junji Inagawa (also known as Jyunji Inagawa) (稲川淳二), Akira Sakamoto and Shingo Yanagisawa (柳沢慎吾) — Three of the Battlefield Reporters, they usually wore safari zone outfits. Known as Guy LeDouche and his assorted cousins on MXC and as Pepe Livingston in the new Spanish version. (NOTE: Whilst they were seen in the UK version of the series, they weren't actually acknowledged, except once when Craig commented on the size of the reporter's microphone by telling him to "Put the toffee-apple away and help him!")
Kibaji Tankobo (丹古母鬼馬二) and Shozo "Strong" Kobayashi (ストロング金剛) — A pair of guards who would probably scare you off just by looking at them, which they normally did to contestants in the “Honey Comb Maze” and other games. Kibaji usually wore a long red wig, while Strong was bald, and they painted their faces to further intimidate contestants. Tankobo and Kobayashi were considered to be two of the finest henchmen Takeshi had. They're known as El Pelanas (Kibaji) and El Calvo (Strong) in the old Spanish version.
Brad Lesley, aka "The Animal" (亜仁丸レスリー) — Famous Japanese/American baseball player. His main job was to humiliate and frighten the contestants in any possible way, usually dressed as a samurai complete with a sword. Animal has also been seen in a green sumo suit, spider costume, Fred Flintstone–style outfit, a baseball uniform and a Las Vegas–era Elvis Presley jumpsuit costume. In MXC during the “Circle Jerkers” game he is known as the Green Tea Bagger, because he picks up contestants, flips them over his back and sits on their heads. He's been known as El malvado occidental in the Spanish version.
Michiru Jo (城みちる) — One of the few guards to have been involved from the very first episode, he normally wore a pink outfit. Jo was a famous Japanese pop singer in the 1970s. Known as Danny Glands (a play on words of long-time Las Vegas entertainer Danny Gans), Jimmy Junk, Golden Shower Boy or Barry Sosa on MXC, and as Pinky Winky in the newest Spanish version.
Yoroi/Ritter Chuu — He stood almost sixteen feet tall and tried to keep players from reaching the goals in several games. Known as the Boxing Beast in the UK version. On MXC, his name is Skanky.
Makoto Dainenji (大念寺誠) and Katsuo Tokashiki (渡嘉敷勝男) — Makoto, a karate master, and Katsuo, a boxing champion in Japan, were the Final Fall guards. They were called The Pink Panzers for their pink-toned outfits that they usually wore. Katsuo also served as the referee in the “Sumo Rings” game. In MXC they have only been seen in small sketches, once as the New Jersian Kenny & Vic.
Masanori Okada (岡田正典) — Usually seen in the game “Slip Way”, he would jump out of the water to push the contestants into the drink if they failed to reach the target. Okada has also played in the “Honey Comb Maze” and other games as well. Also known as the "Sea Goblin" in Japan and was a boxer in the 1970s. On MXC he is known as Mr. G-Spot, Dr. Bill (a spoof on Dr. Phil), Bill Veto (a play on ESPN hockey commentator Bill Pidto), or The Diddler.
Umanosuke Ueda, (上田馬之助) — This aggressive guard, a former wrestler in real life, has been seen in “Honey Comb Maze”, “Square Maze”, “Sumo Rings”, “Grid Iron” and “Bridge Ball”. Known as Blondie in the UK version.
Yousichi Shimada (島田洋七) — A guard that was usually seen in the games “Blueberry Hill” in overalls akin to those worn by Dennis the Menace, and in “Wipe Out” dressed up as a female Native American nicknamed "Pocahontas" who would push people into the water if they missed the surfboard. The latter is known as Chief Otto Parts on MXC (a parody of the Chief Auto Parts auto supply store chain).
Shoji Kinoshita and Shoichi Kinoshita — Better known as "Popcorn" (ポップコーン), these well-known identical twin actors in Japan were commonly seen wearing rainbow ponchos and bowler hats. They have also worn baseball uniforms and other humorous costumes, appearing in the game “Rice Bowl Down Hill” where they would try and put the contestants off by singing a very annoying chant, as well as “Bridge Ball” and other games. Called Bud and Pud or Em on Em (a spoof of rapper Eminem), among others, on MXC.
"Ordinary" Oki Bondo (大木凡人), Takayuki Yokomizo, Nobuo Yana and Koji Sekiyama — They participated in the “Karaoke” game. Oki acted as the emcee, Takayuki was the bouncer who ejected contestants who did not sing well, and Koji was the owner of the karaoke bar, later replaced by Nobuo who appeared in the later episodes of the show. In the MXC spoof, titled Elimination Idol, Bondo plays Ryan Seachest, Takayuki is Andy Jackson and both Nobuo and Koji are called Simon Bowel, all of course playing off American Idol regulars Ryan Seacrest, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell.
Shinoburyo (忍竜) — Sumo wrestler in Japan who appeared in the game “Sumo Rings” during the series. On MXC he was one of the two Purple Packages. Called Porker in the UK version.
Large Fuji — Replaced Shinoburyo in the later episodes as the purple sumo fighter in “Sumo Rings”. On MXC he was one of the two Purple Packages.
Konishiki Doll — Only seen in “Sumo Rings” and on an odd occasion of “Tug of War”. The Konishiki Doll was one of the Emerald Guards dressed in a large costume (often credited as a potato suit in the UK version) which is meant to resemble Konishiki Yasokichi, one of the largest sumo wrestlers to ever live. Known as Spud in the UK and as Mel Anoma on MXC.
Noboru "Shin" Sugamema (すがぬま伸) — Loyal member of Takeshi's Gundan who was a pathetic sumo wrestler in “Sumo Rings”.
Ritsuko Nakayama — Also known as Refreshing Ritsuko-Ritsuko, she is a professional bowler in Japan who has appeared in the “Star Bowling” game.
Yutaka Enatsu — This Japanese baseball player who was the pie thrower in “Die or Pie” in a single episode. In the MXC "Master Debaters" special, he was renamed Nader O'Reilly, a fusing of the last names of multiple-time United States Presidential candidate and consumer activist Ralph Nader and TV political commentator Bill O'Reilly and also a pun on M*A*S*H character Radar O'Reilly.
Geisha Girls or Bunny Girls — Led by Miyuki Ono (no relation to Yoko Ono!), they helped contestants in several games and also helped Takeshi and his advisor in comedy skits. The others were Harumi Tomikawa, Mika, Mina Morishima, Sawada, and Mitsumi Yokota. Sometimes, when Junji and Shingo were off the show for other commitments, one of them served in the Battlefield Reporter's role.
Shizuo Miyauchi (宮内鎮雄) — Commentator for the original series in Japan. Recently retired from TBS after working as a commentator for several decades. His voice could sometimes be heard in the UK Series due to the fact that the original audio could be heard under Craig Charles' commentary, however in MXC he was not heard at all.

Challenge (UK version)

This condensed version of the original series became an unexpected hit when it premiered on Challenge on 9 November 2002, regularly dominating the top ten programmes on the channel each week.

The format followed closely the original Japanese format showing the contestants as General Tani's (named General Lee) troops trying to storm Takeshi's Castle. Each episode would have about seven games followed by the Final Showdown. Although it does follow the original format, Challenge decided to cut out the comedy sketches between Takeshi and Higashi to allow more games to be shown in the half hour block.

The success of Series One was immediate with Challenge being told it was great from the first day it was shown onwards. More series were commissioned and shown over the next few months, culminating in a series of hour long specials in the Autumn of 2003, and a special highlights show, The A-Z of Takeshi's Castle, broadcast on January 1, 2004 which showed some of the best clips of the best games. Though no new episodes have been made since then (due to all the Japanese episodes having now been shown) repeats still air regularly on Challenge, including an eight episode block feature broadcast on Sundays, with an average of 130,000 viewers an episode.

Challenge have regularly been asked to consider showing unedited episodes, but from September 3, 2005, they aired MXC in the UK instead, retitled as Takeshi's Most Extreme Elimination Challenge. Recently there has been some activity at Challenge in trying to get some un-edited Japanese episodes to see if it would be worth showing, however there has been problems so far and plans for un-edited episodes are now on hold. Recently Challenge also attempted unsuccessfully to acquire the German DSF dub.

Although 9 contestants stormed the castle, Craig Charles misses most of them, and only credits 4.

MXC (Most Extreme Elimination Challenge)

On April 13, 2003, Spike TV (then called "The National Network" or "The New TNN") began airing a comedy-oriented dub of the series called "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge" (or MXC for short.)

In MXC, two teams are pitted against each other. Usually these are matchups between teams that have no real relationship to one another (such as Inventors vs. Ex-Child Actors). "Vic Romano" and "Kenny Blankenship" provide commentary (much of which is vulgar or sexually oriented) throughout. Rather than showing the "Final Showdown" at the end of each show, Kenny counts down the ten most "Painful Eliminations of the Day."

Many of the contestants and games have been renamed by the show's staff after famous celebrities and/or have made-up names with some sort of scatological or sexual innuendo (including names like Log Drop, Sperm Wheelers and Saddle Sores). Therefore, it is not uncommon to see participants with names of famous athletes or Hollywood stars (e.g. "Hugh Grunt") competing on the United States version. As well, nearly every episode features one contestant with the surname "Babaganoosh." Contestants of that name are said to have some sort of connection with the Middle East, but in reality it is a favorite (traditionally Middle Eastern) meal of co-writer/producer Christopher Darga. His mother is Lebanese, and he keeps a box of Baba ghanoush on one of the TV monitors in his office.

On April 22, 2004, Spike TV aired a special edition of the show to start the third season, featuring skateboarder Tony Hawk and snowboarder Tara Dakides. The special was taped at the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida using students from nearby colleges and appropriately dubbed MXC Almost Live. The special edition is not based on the original Takeshi's Castle footage but only has some added in for Vic, Ken, the Captain and Guy LeDouche. Actors were hired to play those who would replace the roles of the latter two, named "Gip LeDouche" (Eric Esteban) and "Major Babe" (Michelle Sorrell.) While everyone in the episode is American, everything said by any contestants besides Hawk and Dakides is still dubbed into English. (One contestant, about to compete, says something in English, but it is overdubbed with "It doesn't matter what I'm going to say, you're just going to overdub my voice!") With the second season, Spike TV officially changed the name of the U.S. version to MXC.

The overdubbed dialogue gives little regard to what contestants are actually saying in the original Japanese dialogue. (Unlike the UK version, where some of the background Japanese audio can actually be heard, the MXC version completely replaces all of the audio.) The text that appeared on screen can still be seen, and sometimes the characters on the screen will play off on it. The show tends to use jokes of a more American style that includes non-sequiturs and sexual humor. This is done to facilitate the tastes of the intended audience as well as for the creative fun of it.

New episodes of MXC returned to Spike TV on October 20, 2005. The first of the new episodes featured the Desperate Housewives vs. Ultimate Fighting Champs.

Characters

Many of the characters and contestants on MXC are voiced by the producers of the show, who also serve as the series' writers.

Of the principals involved, "Vic Romano" (who was named after a character from Miami Vice), whose lines replace those of Takeshi, is played by Victor Wilson, who also served as the supervising producer in Season Three. "Kenny Blankenship", MXC's counterpart of Takeshi's second advisor Higashi, is voiced by Christopher Darga. While Romano is a level-headed play-by-play voice, Blankenship, his color commentator, is somewhat stupid. Whereas Vic is a more serious personality with a dark past of alcohol abuse and failed marriages, Kenny is a light-hearted high-school dropout who thinks mostly about "chicks and beer."

John Cervenka voices three characters: "Captain Tenneal" (whose name comes from the 1970's musical act The Captain and Tennille), whose views are overly conservative and self-absorbed, replaces General Tani/General Lee; field reporter "Guy LeDouche", who substitutes for Jynuji-san, and is portrayed as a Frenchman who has some rather bizarre fetishes (and in some episodes is absent because he is attending a parole hearing) and has other family members such as "Lyndon", "Geek", "Giddy", "Gip," "Goon", "Gawp", along with females named "Gay", "Grandma", "Gab" and "Gidget" (who were voiced by Mary Scheer); and "Your Humble Announcer" (since the show's fifth episode) for the program's opening and breaks to and from commercials. All of the female voices ("Everygirl" according to the credits) are done by Mary Scheer, who became Supervising Producer in Season Four.

Though uncredited, Jamie Alcroft was the announcer for the first four episodes of MXC before Cervenka took over that role.

External links