I’d say the closest thing I can think of from the states that is similar to the talento on Japanese TV is some of the infomercials will feature fake audience members in a talk show format who will react with amazement at the awesome product they are trying to sell.

Ironically, that must be exactly what I often saw on midnight TV show from the U.S. here in Japan about 10 years ago. I think it became a cult midnight show.

They did not behave like a stereotypical foreigner

Indeed, they behaved like stereotypical Japanese talento. So yea, pointing out they are foreign in the title is misleading I guess especially if some of them are actually Japanese citizens as you said

No offense meant here but it’s so hard for me to wrap my head around the phrase “stereotypical foreigner”. Just hard for me to imagine everyone who is not Japanese being similar enough to be lumped into a stereotype. I’m sure it’s something I just don’t understand being on the other side of the fence. I mean perhaps it would be more accurate to say “stereotypically non-Japanese” since I guess the only thing they share in common is that they are not Japanese.

They did not behave like a stereotypical foreigner and did not show an “unique” insight as a foreigner to entertain Japanese audiences in the above clips, furthermore, Sahel Rosa who appeared in the previous post is a Japanese living in Japan for more than 15 years and Kaytlyn Girson (an Australian woman in a brown jacket) seems to have grown up mostly in Japan. Maybe, the only reason to hire “foreigner-looking” reporters is the similarity between the title “東京見聞録” of this Tokyo local reports and “東方見聞録” (Il Milione) by Marco Polo?

And as a minor issue, it is actually foreigners who are supposed to be characterized by over reaction in Japan, and the Japanese are sometimes depicted as an emotionless creatures with (superficial) politeness and calmness by foreign media.

Ah ok, I didn’t understand the part you objected to. Saying they have been “talento” too long might be a better way to state it.

As for people on the street, that must depend on what street you are on. I think most people some “normal” as far as their reactions. I don’t really know how someone under reacts, I guess it would be hard to notice there lack of reaction unless it was truly an extreme situation.

I live in Shibuya now and I can tell you I frequently see Japanese gentlemen with hand help megaphones at Shibuya crossing that seem to be over reacting about something.

Of course I’m sure on that but “have been in Japan a little too long” should not be mentioned as a direct reason. They are just a “talento” and behaving so.

All gaijins and Japanese TV persons are characterized by their over reaction?

No it wouldn’t.

On that note, being raised here would mean that they aren’t foreigners.

“You only get good at the language by living there long-term and moving outside the gaijin comfort zone, AND if you study hard…..”

You only get good at the language by living there long-term and moving outside the gaijin comfort zone, or if you study hard.

Thank god we have survival phrases!

From the Japanese aspect this is a dream come true and I suppose for all japanese men.

They were less annoying than the time they went to Haneda airport, but still it’s like they were forbidden by the directors to stop talking or think for more than a second before vocalizing what goes through their minds.

Most foreigners in Japan are tourists or on contracts with international companies. They pick up survival phrases, maybe a bit of everyday conversation..

You only get good at the language by living there long-term and moving outside the gaijin comfort zone, or if you study hard.