Banzai
The word "banzai" means "ten thousand years" in Japanese. This article is about the television series.
Banzai is a comedy gambling gameshow spoofing the Japanese gameshow and general television style. Each segment of the show is a silly or bizarre contest. The viewing audience is encouraged to gamble with each other on the outcome of each segment.
Banzai first aired in the UK on Channel 4. It was later picked up for broadcast in Canada by Citytv. Citytv broadcast the original uncut episodes of Banzai Wednesday nights at 10:30. In 2003, FOX Network picked up the series, airing its first episode on July 13. After six episodes, however, pressure from Asian-American groups led FOX to drop the show. In early 2004, the show found a new American home on Comedy Central.
Controversy
In 2001, two years before FOX aired its first episode of Banzai, USA Network aired clips of the Channel 4 edition of the show as part of their Banzai Movie Friday. Asian-American groups objected to the clips. Meanwhile, the show's website maintains:
- THIS SHOW CONTAINS SILLY BEHAVIOR, UNREALISTIC CHARACTERS, AND BAD VOICE OVERS. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO INSULT OR OFFEND. DO NOT TRY ANYTHING AT HOME, TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY, OR IMITATE OUR IMITATIONS. ABOVE ALL, ENJOY THE SHOW.
When FOX picked up the show, the Media Action Network for Asian-Americans protested outside the a presentation of the show in Hollywood. Group co-founder Guy Aoki told Canada, Citytv received little or no complaints about the show's content.
