Terebi is the butchered up way in which the Japanese say television and having been subjected to such viewing over the years I have to say that TV programmes in this country are among the world’s most dumbed down television.

It seems that a large percentage of Japanese TV features a studio audience on a garish-coloured set going crazy about some ‘tarento‘ (talent or celebrity) eating what looks like fairly average food (surprising given the fine nature of Japanese cuisine) and inevitably squealing out the word “oishii” (delicious). Is there really no other way to describe it? It would appear not and on top of that it doesn’t even tell you much, if anything about the taste of the food.

If that spectacle isn’t enough to test ones patience, then bright, flashing kanji captions appear willy-nilly throughout often accompanied by unnecessary sound effects. Furthermore, so many shows constantly feature a little box in the corner where the reactions of Japanese celebrities’ faces can be seen.

Sure, there’s a time and place for this kind of thing but its almost constant throughout the Japanese TV network. I think I remember reading somewhere recently that Japanese need to feel the empathy the audience is feeling to enjoy the television event whereas westerners can make up their own reactions to such things. Not sure if thats correct but there’s probably an element of truth in it.

With all this dire tripe served up on Japanese TV I am so glad that I have cable TV which is far from perfect but its an improvement. I guess though, that as time progresses, that TV will be viewed less and less with the internet taking over. I already watch more on internet sites like YouTube and project free-tv and with football being streamed live on sites like iraqgoals there will be very little, if no room in my life for Japanese terebi. I won’t miss it!