Kitano Takeshi

[Abe-Nornes]

>>I'm curious about the eight(?)
>>shows Kitano Takeshi appears in (as host?).  What are these shows like?
>
>Many are 'infotainment' in nature - i.e. Takeshi attempts to do something
>vaguely educational - like talk with foreigners about world politics -
>while dressing up in silly costumes with a big hammer and making it into a
>form of entertainment for easier consumption.

This is a little generous, and I suspect it's the aura of the auteur
rubbing of on the Beat side of the persona. Yes, he does this kind of this
on TV, but the contradictions are far more complex than serious/ridiculous.
The politics are often vaguely nationalist while puncturing any
conservative posturing, sexist but sitting next to feminist mascot Tajima
Yoko. I find watching him an experience analogous to listening to Howard
Stern: gleefully, sadistic little boys, often disturbing, always
challenging, usually very funny. Both are _extremely_ contradictory texts.
A significant difference is Stern's concerted critique of modern celebrity,
something Takeshi/Beat indulges in. 

Markus