Room for a anime "variety" show?

[Lego]

In todays world of computers, HD TV's, blogs, and even podcasts, one has many choices on where to get information from. I usually pick up a lot of my anime information from AOD, ANN, or blogs that post interesting tidbits. I sometimes listen into podcasts that talk about anime; things like Rightstuf's and others. But maybe because the anime market in the US isn't big enough, I've often wondered why we don't see a anime "variety show". You have a whole network dedicated to food, video games, gardening, history, and even sports, yet you only see anime on TV in series form.

I know ADV has the Anime Network, but I currently only have it on demand. When I say "variety show", I'm not talking about a anime itself. Something a step beyond Anime Network's "DVD Dojo" that airs monthly. DVD Dojo is informative with new titles coming out, con reports, and little segments now and then. I recently read that the first ever(think so) manga review show aired on Japanese TV a little while ago. While I do realize that it would be hard to get a "variety show" on a station, something like this would be a interesting thing to watch(in my view).

Maybe a look at a new title, talking with say Gonzo about their new show coming out in Japan, getting a first peak at a series currently airing in Japan, and other little things like product reviews, or the usual routines you see on a lot of variety shows. While the internet takes care of most of my information as a anime fan, I wouldn't mind sitting down and watching a show like the one I mentioned.

[AutoGyro]

If the FUNimation Channel ever takes of as big as they want it to, maybe that can be something that can be a part of their line-up. It's not a bad idea!

[Shsway]

If y'all are patient enough, I'll put one together and host it someday. /images/graemlins/wink.gif /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Lego]

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Shsway said:
If y'all are patient enough, I'll put one together and host it someday. /images/graemlins/wink.gif /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

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It could be a internet based thing heh. I mean like a live edition of the Geneon Lounge complete with cheesy band and host.

[CrazyAsano]

Only acceptable if it's an anime anime variety show.

[Lego]

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CrazyAsano said:
Only acceptable if it's an anime anime variety show.

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That would a be a interesting way to do it actually.

[aquapermanence]

The big question is, what would be the format? What would it be about?

Would it be like a talk show, with a host and guests? Which guests? English voice actors and production staff? They're celebrities and probably have something to talk about, but for the most part they didn't make the show so much as adapt it. Do you get the Japanese staff and actors? That'd get expensive, flying guests in every week, and then there's the issue of language. Use a translator, subtitle the interview, or only get guests who speak English?

If it's not a talk show, what else then? Anime news and reviews? Special lectures? Q+A sessions? You could show omake or originally-produced animated clips like MTV did, but then you get into licensing and copyright issues.

If the show is about anime, it could be animated. But that could get expensive. And if you go the cheap route, it could look bad. Suncoast used to run a promotional video with their CG mascot "Annie-May," but that was all kinds of cheese. There are also a number of popular American animated programs that play the reality-show angle, so an animated informational program about anime could just be seen as a "me too" imitator.

Another question is, is there even a need for an anime variety show? Anime is a broad medium, much like film and television, but at the same time in R1 it's basically restricted to a few genres and a handful of offbeat titles. It's largely given the same consideration as foreign film, which is exactly what it is. While the mainstream sees a few big-name foreign films that are brought over from time to time, anime's bread-and-butter is in the consistent licensing of TV shows and franchises. Even "new" shows will have usually been 2 years old by the time the first DVD hits shelves, and most are older. For those that didn't watch when it aired, it's a slow-burn volume-by-volume release, or a long wait for a collected edition at the end. Can you think of any variety shows that talk about collections of American or British TV shows (for example) as a main feature? Even if there are, what do they do? Highlight the memorable moments, get the actors to talk about their roles, and perhaps mention the social issues of the times that are addressed in the narrative. Anime has the potential for that sort of thing, certainly, but with its largely serial nature most anime don't distill down to a "best moments" summary. Add to it that most shows are so far removed in their settings and ideas from reality, and inundating an uninitiated viewer with contextless trivia probably won't do much for them.

[Lego]

Good post aquapermanence. That is why after thinking about it, I think it would be more at home on Funi's network or ADV's. You put it on a network that is anime based and has its roots in anime. ADV's "Anime Network" already has a similiar show in "DVD Dojo". There is always that factor of seeing real people, and hearing it directly. I mean you can read all the text you want, all the news you want online. But say you get to see a real interview with Kotoko, or listen to Oshii describe his apporach to movies in his own words, to me that would be worth watching.

[plaidwolf]

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CrazyAsano said:
Only acceptable if it's an anime anime variety show.

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I heard Space Ghost is looking for steady work now....

oh, waitaminnit.....been done already!

nebbamind!