This is basically a Japanese game show in which 100 contestants, led by General Lee (played by the handsome Hayato Tani) have to get through several EXTREMELY tough (but, more often than not, hilarious) challenges, and then attempt to storm the castle.I only came across this gem a few months ago, but I am now hooked, as it is absolutely hilarious, especially when a contestant fails at a challenge.There are a number of challenges, so not all of them will be in every single half-hour episode of the show. These include:-Skipping stones (my personal favorite), High Rollers, Bridge Ball, The Gauntlet, Knock Knock, Slipped disks, Avalanche Karaoke, Quake, Wipeout, amongst many many others.Then comes the Final Showdown i.e. the storming of the castle. Don't expect there to be many winners - there are usually just a handful of people who get through to this stage, and the Emerald Guards are extremely good at defending the castle. I think I've been watching the show for about six months, and I have seen two people win.

Takeshi's Castle (2002) is the re-dubbed UK release of cult-classic Japanese show Operation! Takeshi's Castle (1986-1989), an endurance-based game show in which 100+ contestants compete in a series of outlandish assault-course-like challenges until the numbers are whittled down to a select few. From here, the remaining handful of contestants can go on to battle the infamous "Count Takeshi" and his guards for the chance to win up to one million in Yen. The show is notable for at least two reasons; the first is the outright eccentric nature of the events and the seemingly dangerous falls, scrapes and mishaps that befall the contestants during their bid for glory. The second is the appearance of esteemed Japanese actor/filmmaker/comedian Takeshi Kitano, who here plays the titular count (though his appearance is edited down in this particular version). The format of the show mixes the bizarre events alongside some even more bizarre sketch-based moments of typically absurdist Japanese humour, as the contestants put themselves through some of the cruellest and most punishing events ever witnessed on national television.What was great about the original show was the way that the contestants seemed to be having a great time, even when falling eight feet into shallow water, being smeared in mud or talcum powder and being knocked off a rickety suspension bridge by a barrage of rubber-ball cannon fire. It also benefited from a colourful, larger than life quality, in keeping with the tradition of early Nintendo video games and Anime films; as the overstated supporting characters and continual appearances from General Tani (here renamed General Li) give the events a sense of context and continuity. Ultimately though, the programme works because of its uniqueness; with the nature of the games, the imagination, the willingness and excitement of the contestants and the obviously low-production values (combined with the witty commentary from actor Craig Charles, with his bad puns and sly double-entendres) all adding to the bizarre, subversive glee.

I absolutely adore Takeshi's Castle, and enjoy watching it immensely. I find myself laughing out load often and love all the games, the Takeshi team antics and the crazy contestants – who I have to say happily laugh at themselves hilariously.If you're a lover of energetic, entertaining, manic game shows, this is the one to watch.My only complaint is, must the UK listen to Craig Charles' idiotic running commentary? His comments are sexist, racist, puerile, repetitive, irritating and constantly undermine my viewing pleasure to the extent that I have to watch it with the volume turned down, which effectively ruins the show.I will keep watching the show, because it's too brilliant to miss, unfortunately with the volume off (can't we have English subtitles of the programme instead Mr Charles' nonsense?).

For those who don't know, Takeshi's castle is a hilarious gameshow! The concept is 100 Japanese contestants start at the beginning of the show. Guided by their leader "General Lee" (get it?), the contestants have to make their way through various challenges such as Knock Knock, Wipeout, High rollers, Skipping stones and Bridge ball (my personal favourite). The people who survive get to battle Takeshi and his "emerald guards" in the "final showdown". I've watched many episodes and so far have only seen 4 winners! In the USA there is a conversion of the original Japanese show called "Most extreme elimination challenge". In this version, everybody's voice is dubbed in English in comedic ways. However, in the English show, there is running commentary by Craig Charles (Lister from Red Dwarf). His funny comments include; "You wazzok!", "they look like extras from the water margin" and "big black balls, banging off his backside".Takeshi's castle is a funny, brilliant concept for a gameshow made funnier by Craig Charles. If only they brought this cult show to DVD!!!