DVD Review: MXC (Most Extreme Elimination Challenge) - Season One

I suppose it's a little comforting to know regardless of the vast physical, cultural, political, religious, and financial divisions that strive to keep a wedge between the peoples of this world, there is one thing that all enlightened (ie: those with access to cable television) cultures have in common: humiliating game shows. Game shows that seek to entertain the drunken masses through the exploitation and degradation of their fellow man. And the participants agree to this shame, while their poor mothers pray and their children weep…

Or at least that should be the scenario in Japan. Theirs is not a culture inclined towards either pop culture dignity or coherent television programming which is why they deserve MXC. They deserve it real bad. I'm sorry Japan, but you so had it coming.

MXC, or more verbosely known as Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, is a rare chance to somehow try to make sense of the nonsensical world of Japanese television. But you don't have to bear the load alone. No, there are now professionals who can do that for you. MXC is what might have happened if the ace riffing crew from Mystery Science Theater 3000 had been forced to watch episodes of Jackass, instead of bad movies.

For you see, once upon a time, there was this demented show called “Takeshi's Castle.” It was one part game show obstacle course, one part bad Benny Hill sketch, and three parts head-injury theater. A large group of contestants would systematically be whittled down and weeded out through a series of dangerous physical challenges. Eventually, the elite handful who could make it through would do battle with the rulers of Takeshi's Castle, in an attempt to... win the last thing or something. I actually have no idea exactly what they were hoping to accomplish. But the winner got a nice hunk of money, and apparently in Japan if someone dangles a carrot of money around, people will wager their bodies and functioning genitalia against ridiculous odds.

MXC extends the absurdity by re-imagining the dialogue and plot of the show as if to suggest that it really does all make perfect sense (and those people really don't have to go to the hospital). Enlightened hosts Kenny Blankenship and Vic Romano serve as sports commentators to the action, while field marshal Captain Tenneal corrals the contestants, and reporter Guy LeDouche provides an excuse for cutaways. The contestants are also re-imagined, now as members of competing industries (such as the expertly matched Home Improvement industry vs. the Adult Entertainment industry).

Article Author: David R Perry

Lost somewhere in the rolling hills of Tennessee, David R Perry can occasionally be found doing dark, unspeakable things to words. Printed words, spoken words, electronically mangled words... really any kind but twittered words.

Visit David R Perry's author page — David R Perry's Blog