Japanese TV guy smushes inside balloon, brings joy to all

Gavin Purcell of TV in Japan describes this series of videos (one of which is above) as "a weird combination of performance art + comedy + balloon fetish. I don't know much about it besides the fact that it's awesome!" Link to Gavin's post with more. Does anyone in boingdom know more about this G-rated fetish fellow? Do share in the comments.

[#1 posted by LadyI , June 17, 2008 6:50 AM]

Miss Exotic World '07 Julie Atlas Muz performs a version of this -- only she does it naked with glitter!

NSFW -

[#2 posted by Anonymous , June 17, 2008 6:56 AM]

Not sure about this guy, but the routine is an old circus/variety thing. I've seen clowns do it in circus in europe, and street performers do it at festivals and on stage. In the world of variety acts (which I know wayyy too well) it suddenly became fashionable for a while - one of those things that someone came up with and everybody stole..

Mat Ricardo

[#3 posted by Powers , June 17, 2008 7:13 AM]

He's a late night TV comedian. Appeared on a bunch of different shows.

[#4 posted by ployntabs , June 17, 2008 7:20 AM]

Makes me think of Robocop and the "I'd buy that for a dollar" game show.

[#5 posted by tim140487 , June 17, 2008 8:11 AM]

From the text it looks like the show is called あらびさ団, or Arabisa dan, which means "It's tough with these two" or "Its a rough time, this group". Basicly I think it is saying that the two hosts have a hard time, the title being sarcastic.

[#6 posted by Emily (daturazoku) , June 17, 2008 8:38 AM]

This tv show (yes, arabisadan) is much more interesting than balloon guy. It's a late night show whose whole premise is to showcase offbeat, painful to watch and just plain wierd talent. Kind of like that MTV show ten years back or so... was it called Oddville?

When you live in a country where every comedian relies on a catchphrase to get laughs, you're really greatful for a show featuring nothing but wtf. Searching あらびさ団 on youtube is gold, I tell you.

[#7 posted by Fart Sandwich , June 17, 2008 9:38 AM]

Oh my god. You just made my day.

[#8 posted by strider_mt2k , June 17, 2008 9:43 AM]

The funny part is when the balloon popped. :)

[#9 posted by jamie , June 17, 2008 9:47 AM]

Sakanakun is the bestest thing to have come out of Japanese TV. A child-like guy who is utterly fascinated by fish. He's the happiest/most enthusiastic person in the world ever.

Here he is with Adam and Joe from the BBC:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdJRY8Mv0kU

[#10 posted by Pete Carlton , June 17, 2008 10:07 AM]

Uh, guys? It's あらびき団 (ArabiKI-dan)
Where did you get "it's tough with these two"??
Anyway, who cares, it was teh funny.

[#11 posted by p3n3nc3 , June 17, 2008 10:59 AM]

You gotta love the staging setup...the way it was shaking that balloon popping was the least of his worries.

[#12 posted by t2 , June 17, 2008 11:00 AM]

Japan Times has a pretty good analysis of this "art of not being funny," where it comes from and why: The Art of Not Being Funny Drums Up Big Laughs on TV.

[#13 posted by Tenn , June 17, 2008 8:05 PM]

Miss Exotic World '07 Julie Atlas Muz performs a version of this -- only she does it naked with glitter!
NSFW -

I guess I have to google it myself, then.

I thought it was AWESOME. Is it just my perspective, or does Japanese / Mexican TV share the same kind of super-technicolor, super-upbeat wacko comedy?

[#14 posted by Agent 86 , June 19, 2008 12:39 AM]

Tenn,
http://www.julieatlasmuz.com/vid_moon.shtml (NSFW)

*Warning, at one point she pulls a flag out of her ass.