Free Some Time For G4's "Duty Free TV" Block
Posted by Ryan
On Feb. 4 at 9pm ET/PT, video game network G4 premieres “Duty Free TV,” a block of programming imported from Japan. Cult hit Ninja Warrior is joined by two new shows: Unbeatable Banzuke and Super Big Product Fun Show. I got a little preview of both new shows:
Super Big Product Fun Show — Fans of Spike’s MXC will love this. It’s a Japanese Batsu-style “punishment game” show with hilarious English dialog dubbed over it. Hosted by “The Batsu Boys” Ashton and Gary, SBPFS puts product testers through some grueling and embarrassing challenges. The episode I screened included tests of Junk Trunks, female undergarments that enhance the appearance of the male … uh, junk; the Bug O’ Bong, a device which aids in the eating of live scorpions; the Breastidigitator, which helps chicks go topless on the beach (comes with the Barry Bondage Sorcerer’s Rod); the Regurgidate, a remarkable new way to meet girls; and the Abusive Stepdad in a Box, which gives you the beating you so badly need. After each test, Ashton and Gary award the products with the BS!: Bastu Sertified seal of approval. And each show features a recap of the Top Testees of the Day. Sounds juvenile? You bet. But it is a lot of fun, very fast-paced, and totally crazy and out to lunch!
Unbeatable Banzuke — Here’s the best way to describe Unbeatable Banzuke: “Victory is elusive, and the only constant is the bitter taste of defeat.” Like Ninja Warrior, Unbeatable Banzuke puts contestants through some physically challenging obstacle courses and tasks. In Hand Walk II, highly skilled athletes must make their way across treacherous obstacles — like the Mountain of Logs — walking on their hands. In Daruma 7, contestants have to knock huge blocks out from under a stack without toppling the entire stack — it’s almost like playing Jenga with a big mallet. And in Bamboo Derby, the contestants must pass through an obstacle course on stilts. The show is subtitled, so you can hear how intense the Japanese announcers get. They get really excited when contestants fail. I can’t wait to hear how they sound when someone actually wins a challenge.
Following the Feb. 4 premiere, the “Duty Free TV” block will begin its regular schedule, airing weeknights from 8:30-10 pm ET/PT. Each night features an hour of Ninja Warrior, followed by Unbeatable Banzuke on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and Super Big Product Fun Show on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Discussion Area - Leave a Comment