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By Kent Weed
Special to MSN TV
Majide Monday ...
Hello and welcome back to the exclusive behind-the-scenes blog for "I Survived a Japanese Game Show." Over the past two weeks we saw the formation of Majide's only romance so far. Jamie and Drew became very close as teammates and even closer as bed partners in the Majide house. Although on camera no one admitted to anything more than kissing on the cheeks, I happen to know there was much more going on. Also, after they both left Japan, they have continued their romance back in the States, with Jamie flying to Chicago to be with Drew. We will keep you posted on their progress.
Back at the Majide house, the jealousy was rampant as Dan ("the Virgin") and Justin ("the Frat Boy") were in fear of being ousted in the game and conspired quickly to end the bond that had formed between Drew and Jamie. Meanwhile the Green Tigers wasted no time in fueling the fire to get rid of Drew, whom they felt was the biggest threat to win Majide and end all of their dreams of winning the $250,000 prize. In the end, everyone got what they wanted.
By the way, working with the Japanese can best be characterized as pure insanity. Don't get me wrong. It's not that they are insane, it is just that the difference in culture is so dramatic that one can hardly believe what goes on behind the scenes. Case in point: We needed to tape a teaser clip with Judge Bob wearing a banana suit to promote one of the upcoming games as an example of what was ahead for our contestants. Because of a miscommunication with the wardrobe department, when it came time for the contestants to change into their costumes for the game, there was no banana suit to be found, and the wardrobe department, along with one of the segment producers, decided to substitute a carrot costume instead. I remember commenting to the co-executive producer, "Why isn't she in a banana outfit?" and he replied, "It doesn't matter."
No more than five minutes later, my assistant, Aileen, runs into the American control room saying that the Japanese director is furious and will not start the show. I asked what on Earth was wrong. She translated that he filmed Judge Bob wearing a banana costume and now we made a mistake by shooting the contestant wearing a carrot costume. I laughed thinking it was a joke, but her face didn't change. She was serious! She went on to say that the Japanese director insisted that we make it right before we could reshoot either the contestant wearing a banana costume (which is impractical because this is a reality show and it would take a long time to film again) or reshoot Judge Bob in the carrot costume, which is the option I chose. Aileen left and returned to inform me that I would have to be the one to film Judge Bob in the carrot costume as the Japanese director would have been embarrassed and would lose face if he had to do it again.
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