The Japanese TV show that was a hit overseas

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: The Japanese TV show that was a hit overseas

Warm-up

Have you ever watched a funny TV show? (Yes, I have seen...)

Vocabulary Match

challenges •• players
failed •• tasks
led •• not successful
contestants •• guided
jokes •• talking
commentary •• humour

Vocabulary Answers

challengestasks
failednot successful
ledguided
contestantsplayers
jokeshumour
commentarytalking

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

Takeshi's Castle was a Japanese TV show where many ________ tried to reach a castle by completing difficult and silly ________. The show was ________ by Takeshi Kitano. Players often ________ in funny ways, falling into water or getting hit by large objects.

The show became popular overseas, especially in the UK. There, Craig Charles added new English ________. He made ________ about the players and gave them funny names.

People enjoyed the show because it was easy to understand and very funny. The physical comedy and simple idea made it popular around the world.

Takeshi's Castle was a Japanese TV show where many contestants tried to reach a castle by completing difficult and silly challenges. The show was led by Takeshi Kitano. Players often failed in funny ways, falling into water or getting hit by large objects.

The show became popular overseas, especially in the UK. There, Craig Charles added new English commentary. He made jokes about the players and gave them funny names.

People enjoyed the show because it was easy to understand and very funny. The physical comedy and simple idea made it popular around the world.

Quiz

  1. Who led Takeshi's Castle?
  2. How did players fail in funny ways?
  3. Where did the show become popular?
  4. Who added new English commentary to the show?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. Takeshi Kitano
  2. They fell into water or got hit by large objects.
  3. In the UK
  4. Craig Charles

True or False

  1. Takeshi's Castle was a serious drama show. T F
  2. Craig Charles gave players funny names. T F
  3. Takeshi Kitano added funny English commentary. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. False

Conversation

A:Hey Takeshi, did you see that last fall?
B:Yeah, it was hilarious! They never saw it coming.
A:Craig's commentary makes it even funnier.
B:True! His jokes are spot on.
A:Do you think anyone will reach the castle today?
B:I doubt it, but that's part of the fun!

Discussion

  1. Have you ever tried a silly challenge?
  2. What is your favorite funny TV show or YouTube channel?
  3. Do you like watching people do funny things?
  4. Would you join a show like Takeshi's Castle?

Further Reading

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeshi%27s_Castle

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