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Reuters: Another Japanese series headed to U.S
Continuing the recent television industry embrace of Japanese-inspired competition shows, a Hollywood producer has picked up the rights to "Masquerade," a contest billed as Japan's longest-running hit series, Contestants use costumes, props, sets and their bodies to create live visual performances that trick the eye. Several of the clips have clocked millions of hits on YouTube. "Masquerade" debuted in 1979. Vin Di Bona Prods. ("America's Funniest Home Videos") will shop the concept to networks in an effort to produce a U.S. version. "This show strikes me as being the most original concept in television that I've seen since 'Home Videos,"' Di Bona said. "It's already become a cultural phenomenon in Japan and I see that potential here." Japanese-inspired unscripted shows have become the latest reality trend, with ABC debuting "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" and "Wipeout" this month, and Fox readying "Hole in the Wall" for later this year...more...
This is the programme known as Kasou Taishou - usually translated in full as "All-Japan Disguise Grand Prix". One of the best known performances which made it to the web is the "Matrix Ping Pong" above. Below is a compilation of winners over the years:
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The same YouTube user has uploaded a number of other clips from the show.