Well if there's one thing that Tarrant on TV has shown us, it is that the Japanese have the wackiest and silliest programmes (and adverts) ever. Takeshi's Castle is one of them.
This is basically edited highlights of the original run of the show from Japan, condensed into a thirty minute slot and voiced over by Craig Charles, he of Robot Wars and Red Dwarf fame. Expect to see all kinds of wierd things going on here, including throwing yourself at a plank of wood, spinning on a giant mushroom, leaping across some rolling logs that spin easily, and spending a lot of time in a ditch or three of muddy water. The original show is like nearly fifteen years old; you'd never know, but it looks brand new.
It's strangely compelling as well - and self explanatory. Don't expect to see any winners though - this game is ridiculously tough. The rules though are deliberately ambigious it would appear and so makes for interesting viewing in some cases. Look out for the kids special episode for something involving General Lee that you won't see across the rest of the run. :)
Originally a cheap import, it's probably recouped its import costs many times over by now. It's the Coronation Street of Challenge - that is, pretty much guaranteed to pull in the viewers. If you're the sort of person who wants to know what happens when you throw somebody wrapped in velcro at a wooden wall, or want to see new and painful ways of bending your body in half on the high rollers, check this show out. Or if you just want to see what all the fuss is about, tune in. Of course, if you just want to see wierd people play even wierder games and fall into the muddy ditches with an aplomb (or at least act like it) then you'll love this.
