Friday Fun: Human Tetris

posted at 2:49 pm on September 14, 2007 by Bryan

This video comes from (where else?) Japan. You don’t need to speak a word of Japanese to get it. All of the contestants are big-time Japanese comedians — think Dane Cook in terms of how popular a couple of them are in Japan — but unlike today’s typical American comic, they’re all interested in actually being funny.

Here’s a little human Pac-Man for dessert. The Pac-Man is himself’s name is Samma, one of Japan’s top game show hosts and comedians.

Update: Watch enough of this YouTube crap and you might earn yourself some college credit.

Blowback

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Isn’t this like the third reincarnation of Human Tetris on HA? Where is Robot Tetris?

BKennedy on September 14, 2007 at 2:54 PM

You have to wonder why games like that don’t catch on here. I know a lot of people who really like MXC. The human Pac Man would be better if the walls were taller though.

BadgerHawk on September 14, 2007 at 2:58 PM

Darn, it turns out that Allah did post a similar clip back in July. I must have missed it then.

As for why it won’t catch on here, part of what makes it funny to the Japanese audience is that the contestants are all famous people. I have a hard time seeing many A-list comics or actors here involving themselves in anything like this. They used to all the time — Battle of the Network Stars and goofy stuff like that — but most seem too stuck on themselves or too invested in their own egos to just get out and have a good laugh at themselves.

Bryan on September 14, 2007 at 2:59 PM

Darn, it turns out that Allah did post a similar clip back in July. I must have missed it then.

Yes, but much like our little buddy, the amorous robot, the humorous value remains strong.

Spirit of 1776 on September 14, 2007 at 3:02 PM

As for why it won’t catch on here, part of what makes it funny to the Japanese audience is that the contestants are all famous people. I have a hard time seeing many A-list comics or actors here involving themselves in anything like this. They used to all the time — Battle of the Network Stars and goofy stuff like that — but most seem too stuck on themselves or too invested in their own egos to just get out and have a good laugh at themselves.

Bryan on September 14, 2007 at 2:59 PM

I for one would love to see Kathy Griffin fail to pass through a cross shaped human Tetris block.

BKennedy on September 14, 2007 at 3:07 PM

This, I think, is the third reference to Japanese human tetris by AP. Someone has to put a lock on his beer fridge by 2 pm Friday.

jihadwatcher on September 14, 2007 at 3:10 PM

Oh sure. We get human tetris redux, but do we get humping robots? No! Conspiracy!!!!1!!one!1!

lorien1973 on September 14, 2007 at 3:10 PM

Ah, HotAir.

A multi-cultural feast!

hillbillyjim on September 14, 2007 at 3:13 PM

Laughing my ASS off! Oh my god was that funny.

Thanks Bryan, I needed that.

Masscon on September 14, 2007 at 3:17 PM

How about this one where Japanese women tie a pork chop to their forhead, then stick their head up through a hole in a platform containing a Komodo dragon.

taznar on September 14, 2007 at 3:22 PM

“part of what makes it funny to the Japanese audience is that the contestants are all famous people”

There was a similar gameshow in the UK, a few years ago, called “Shooting Stars”. It also had famous people doing silly things, including throwing miniature cheeses through the puppet mouths of giant faces, and also trying to stop objects falling off a tray whilst standing on a vibrating platform. Like this clip, the humour came from the fact that famous people were willing to debase themselves and traduce their reputations just to entertain us.

Apeking on September 14, 2007 at 3:32 PM

That was all the hype about 2 months ago. LITTLE SLOW PEOPLE.

msipes on September 14, 2007 at 3:48 PM

This, I think, is the third reference to Japanese human tetris by AP.

Is it that hard to read where it says “BY BRYAN”?

The Monster on September 14, 2007 at 3:53 PM

Thanks, Bryan… I don’t care how many times Allah has linked to these. They are funny as hell, and I needed the laugh.

tickleddragon on September 14, 2007 at 5:22 PM

I’m ashamed to admit that I laughed loud enough that my daughter came in from the other room to see what I was going on about.

She laughed too.

Bob's Kid on September 14, 2007 at 6:20 PM

I don’t understand a word of Japanese, but these Japanese shows have me in stitches. Ever heard of a show called “Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende”? Do yourself a favor and search youtube for some of their clips. Here’s one example

madne0 on September 14, 2007 at 10:26 PM