Japanese TV Show Faces Criticism Over Vomiting Scene
Listen to the story
A popular Japanese TV show, "Suidou", is facing criticism after a scene from a food challenge was shown on air.
During the challenge, a comedian ate a large amount of ramen and became sick. The show broadcast him vomiting without hiding it in any way.
Many viewers said the show went too far. Some people asked why the show did not use a mosaic, a blurred effect used on Japanese TV to hide upsetting or private images.
A ramen shop, which seems to have been connected to the segment, also expressed doubt about the challenge. The shop questioned whether it was right to make someone eat until they became sick.
The TV personality Becky also commented on the show. She spoke about strange behaviour from a comedian that was cut from the final broadcast. She said the moment was "really something", suggesting it was surprising to watch.
Separately, a post appeared online showing comedian Minamikawa looking exhausted after what was called a "ramen marathon", apparently a challenge involving eating ramen multiple times in a row.
The situation has caused people to discuss where the line between comedy and discomfort should be drawn on television. Some think extreme challenges make good entertainment, while others believe showing people vomiting is simply unpleasant to watch and should not be broadcast without editing.
Vocabulary10 words
- criticism
- comments that say something is wrong or bad
- vomiting
- being sick; when food comes back out of the mouth
- viewers
- people who watch a TV show
- mosaic
- a blurred picture used to hide something on screen
- segment
- one part of a longer TV show
- Becky
- a well-known Japanese TV personality
- Minamikawa
- the name of a comedian who appeared on the show
- marathon
- a long activity done many times in a row
- line
- an imaginary point where one thing changes into another
- broadcast
- to send out on TV or radio
Quiz
Answer key
1. A comedian was shown vomiting after a ramen challenge 2. Used a mosaic to hide the vomiting scene 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A popular Japanese TV show, "Suidou", is facing _____ after a scene from a food challenge was shown on air.
During the challenge, a comedian ate a large amount of ramen and became _____.
The show broadcast him _____ without hiding it in any way.
Some people asked why the show did not use a _____, a blurred effect used to hide upsetting images.
A ramen shop questioned whether it was right to make someone eat until they became _____.
The TV personality _____ also commented on the show.
She spoke about strange behaviour from a comedian that was _____ from the final broadcast.
A post appeared online showing comedian _____ looking exhausted after a ramen marathon.
The situation has caused people to discuss where the _____ between comedy and discomfort should be drawn.