Ninja Warrior

Singapore TV is currently screening 'Ninja warrior' every Thursdays on MediaCorp channel 5 at 8.30 p.m. Better known as 'Sasuke' in Japan, it is a sports challenge show that pits participants against a series of grueling obstacles. Out of a 100 participants, only a handful get through to the 3rd stage. It is rather exciting to see athletes challenge for top honors in this program.

There is this thing that annoys me most about the Singaporean broadcast. Why of all names did they have to choose such a tacky and crass title such as 'Ninja warrior'? The CG animated program opening sequence features katana carrying ninjas flying and scuttling across the TV screen. The announcer on the TV ad makes things worse with his cheap and often overused imitation of the Japanese accent: "Don't miss this week's episode of Ninja warriaaaaah!"

I don't blame the Singaporeans. The American producers of the show probably named it this way. I suppose this highlights the ignorance of our western counterparts. Why do they always have to associate Japan with the ninja, samurai or geisha? It would be similar to Asians who think that all Americans are cowboys herding cows and smoking Marlboro.

Nevertheless, 'Sasuke' is entertaining and it has given me some slight motivation to put on my running shoes. I'll save the part where I open my front door for another episode.