"For viewers in those societies, reality TV is a real release, and it seems like that's the safe place for those societies to go in terms of being out of the box and vicariously living through those characters.
Stern praises Japanese reality TV in particular for having "so many shows that are surreal or strange or really push the envelope."
That, he says, "is the kind of stuff we're looking for here."
david.zurawik@baltsun.com
They've got game
Here are some of the summertime game shows that specialize in humiliating contestants:
* Wipeout (ABC). Players try to navigate a nasty obstacle course. Lots of slipping, sliding, crashing and dangerous body slams. Think Funniest Home Videos meets YouTube cringe videos. Airs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays on WMAR (Channel 2).
* I Survived a Japanese Game Show (ABC). Ten U.S. contestants compete on a Japanese game show, complete with a mocking host. TV as S&M. Airs at 9 p.m. Tuesdays on WMAR (Channel 2).
* Hur l. Players eat rich foods and are then pushed to physical extremes. Viewers get to see the result. It's another example of TV imitating online content. Airs at 7 p.m. Sundays on the G4 cable channel.
Online
See more photos from Wipeout and I Survived a Japanese Game Show at baltimoresun.com/gameshows
