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I Survived a Japanese Game Show: Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 24, 2008
  • Season #: 1 , 2
Metascore
28 out of 100

Generally unfavorable - based on 5 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 4 out of 5
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  1. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    60
    There's plenty of humiliation in I Survived a Japanese Game Show as well, but there it's so varied and strange--and very much in keeping with what I understand of those shows--that it doesn't get repetitive or annoying.
  2. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    30
    I Survived a Japanese Game Show took a simple enough concept-importing Americans to compete on a bizarre game show in Tokyo-and turned it into a boring, American-style reality show, complete with confessional segments and backstage scenes.
    All this critic's reviews
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Barry Garron
    30
    It's rather like a "Saturday Night Live" skit that should have stayed a skit and not wound up on the big screen.
  4. Slate
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    10
    In the light of summer television, civilization does not seem to have a pulse. It looks quite dead indeed.
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    10
    The Japanese fascination with absurd stunts (dressing two players as huge bugs and having them splat against a wall, for example) and public humiliation as good TV fun has a rather acrid taste stripped of cultural context.
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. KevT.
    8
    Reality TV without so much of sleaze found on other reality shows. There was no false love stories like "I Love NY" and the other VH-1 reality shows. This show did show slices of Japanese culture. Outside of the blonde gal running around the house is a towel for one episode, there was not nearly as much forced drama or over produced dirty drama. I have quit watching "Big Brother" because of it is the same old thing every time. At least this show feels like someone tried to be creative and the drama felt more natural. In the end all of these shows are produced to do certain things, but this one just seemed more fun then slime. Those who say it is boring have a point if they are talking about the games. I was hoping for more outrageous spills and messy falls like Japanese shows found on G4 or Spike. If they can make the games truly crazy, like bigger falls into nastier stuff than cold water or flour, the show should come back.… Full Review »
  2. JeanL.
    10
    this is the most hilarious thing on TV. if you have ever watched a Japanese game show, this follows true to form!
  3. KatieJ.
    8
    I don't like some of the humiliating things the contestants have to do, but some of them you just have to laugh at. I also like it because you learn a lot about the Japanese culture.… Full Review »
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