Bob Sapp: a f*cked gaijin or what

[QwertyJPC]

Bob Sapp has interested me of late. I was in the Phillpines, and was watching an old Pride show re-run. It wasn't really a re run to me so I was excited. i saw two Bob Sapp matches! it was him versus two Nihojin, and he won twice. Then they said (pride ringside annoucers) there should be a super heavyweight division especially for former NFL star Sapp.

Well, I already know of another fight when he went against Roberto Nogeuira. He pile drived him but later on Nogeuira won by arm bar.

what has he been up to lately? That's what i'd like to know. I know he's also part of k-1 and the recentely failed W-1 so... any answers?

There's also Goldberg, but that's another post.

[ahochaude]

Bob Sapp's 15 minutes of fame (in Japan) is up already. His appearances on CMs and variety shows have ceased. Seems as though he's trying to preserve it by doing those fighting gigs. His somewhat media presence will (soon) disappear in time to come.

[FG Lurker]

I think watching K1 and considering it anything but comedy qualifies one as a very fucked gaijin...

[Blah Pete]

[kamome]

Bob Sapp is in that new movie, Elektra, as a character named 'Stone' (link is to official Elektra movie website; click "About the movie" to search for characters).

[Skankster]

[Nine]

I've noticed that Bob is not on TV much in Tokyo anymore.

I hate it if people think he's washed up. They guy made like 3 Million dollars.

I myself being a Black American Tokyo Gaijin Talent can tell you much about the industry & think that he did a good job.

Back when I started we had to actually pretend NOT to be able to speak Japanese.

It's good to see that a lot of the commercials he did even though he's not fluent he spoke some Japanese on it.

I can see my contribution to the acting industry in Japan did affect his career somewhat...

It's also pretty hard when you critiqued for just making people laugh. If he was playing the same roles in the States I think people would look at him totally different. Most actors have to do what they gotta do to make it.

I was stuck on Gaki No Tsukai for 3 years & no other TV show would give me a job.

[kamome]

I myself being a Black American Tokyo Gaijin Talent

I was stuck on Gaki No Tsukai for 3 years & no other TV show would give me a job.

What else have you been in? Care to give us links/titles, etc.?

[Nine]

Craig Nine
http://www.craignine.com

I've done over 150 TV shows in Tokyo total.
I was acting & Union in the States too.
anyway hope I'm not spamming.
I found this thread cause someone mentioned RobPongi on this site that guy's great really funny.

[jim katta]

this is a great opportunity to get some answers.

nine, tell us in your experienced opinion, how bob sapp was able to become successful in japan when most gaijin entertainers can't. also, do you still work in japan as an actor, or did you decide to leave it alone?

[Nine]

Bob became successful because of his persona. These are my personal opinions only. He's huge first of all. A lot of gaijins that are getting lots of work are the ones that are big guys bodybuilder type.

He was an entertainer. Hands down. Plus the guy had nothing to loose. I was in Atlanta in the States & saw him on the Tonight Show I think with Jay Leno. He basically lost everything financially because of a crooked accountant who stole all his money then got an offer to fight.

After that they were waiting outside with a Limo for him to fight in Japan. He had nothing to loose but a cool 3 mill to gain.

I mean if Pee Wee Herman started in Japan I think most people would blast him for just being a Japan sellout or something but most in the States regarded him as a comic genious (a little wacky though).

I mean if anyone should have anything against Bob it should be me for Christ sakes. He was my competition. But really any foreigner that gets on TV in Japan makes Japan more aware that WE CAN SPEAK JAPANESE. Each year I did the main role in a CM (Commercial) in Japanese. I know because of this maybe 4 or 5 years later there will be 5 CM each month featuring gaijin speaking Japanese.

I view the industry as business, real business. There are other gaijin actors who feel the same like Jai West, Jack from IMO, Luis the model from New York, who's just on about everything etc.

Also we don't have representation like Bob our agencies don't even think WE are true talent. I've heard one manager say that to my face. No interviews for us, no extra promotions, no anything. Most Japanese view us for what we are actors, actress' that work in Japan. But not our own agencies.

I didn't give up on Japanese TV but I did stop doing the show for a minute. I think I have the option of going back but I'm doing my own project for DVD release.

The last episode of the TV show I was on is on sale for 5000 yen a pop with my part being in the special section on the DVD. I didn't get one red yen extra. The sold like 50,000 copies so far.

Also most of the people talking about gaijin talent I believe are not really in Japan (I think). I took pride in my roles, I take pride in my future projects that I'll do. I have 6 years of acting in Tokyo under my belt & a total of 23 years acting total behind me. If Bob can get paid dammit so can I....

Also you guys are some crazy mofos on this site. Keep it up.

[JpnDude]

That's very interesting info Nine. I always thought it would be fun to be a gaijin talent. But from actors I know here in the city, it is very tough to deal with the talent agencies like you wrote. I have seen you in some of the shows you listed on your site. Very impressive.

You seem to be skilled in other areas, so it's good to know that you can work on other things besides relying only on acting. Good luck.

JpnDude

[Andocrates]

I still like the guy. It makes me happy when I see him.

[Naniwan Kid]

I just saw Bob Sapp on a Hero candy commercial, and he spoke a word or two of Japanese...

Nine, thank you for your straight-forward accounts. I know how it feels to see a glass ceiling working for a Japanese company, but your experience has to be 100 times more frustrating. At least I was in a salaried position with a regular (but crappy) pay.

I read an article in an English lang. publication about a FG talkent who did a lot of spots on those "crime recreation" shows, modeled after Unsolved Mysteries. Since the dialog was dubbed in Japanese later, it wasn't always important to stick to the script. He said they would throw in profanities like crazy on certain productions, and then laugh later as they watched the show. I like that FG style! I wish I remembered his name.

[Ethos]

I remember seeing his ads a lot during the Olympics. I think it was for a battery company or something, I forget.
Oh, Craig, you're in film eh? That's awesome. I checked out your site, can't believe you met Verbal. M-Flo has to be my favorite group in Japan. I noticed you like Heartsdales, too. Cool stuff.

[Mini_B]

Craig - cool spots, funny classroom scene. "Izakaiya de me ga akai"

Bob vs. Craig

Once Bob Sapp stepped into the ring and fought a couple fights he became popular in Japan. From there it was a cake walk for him since he's a monster and sticks out like a sore thumb. I think he could have done much more for himself if he would've developed his personalty beyond being monster though. If he'd done that he'd have stuck around longer. People like people...and Bob never came accross to the Japanese as a person (my opinioin).

I give credit to Craig as he never had a huge fight in Pride or K1 (that I know of) and had to climb the ladder like most hard working individuals. Now that he's had exposure in a number of TV programs, commercials...etc. and has become popular there's an opportunity to make some money.

The difference is that Craig speaks Japanese, has a sense of humor and is likeable. Bob is a beast that has no personality and NO real fighting ability (there's more to the sport than overpowering - it's called technique).

Craig has potential to make some serious money if he works with the right people and doesn't sign any more deals like the one that left him in the cold while others raked in the YEN.

Just wondering: why would you sign such a deal Craig?

[Mini_B]

Craig,

I tried to PM you but for some reason your profile doesn't show. Is there and email address that I can reach you at directly?

[Marvin Feltcher]

Craig,
Thanks for the very interesting posts. I used to think Bob Sapp lived up to his surname...drove me bloody wild with his face everywhere (my kids love him, though). Having read your posts, I've got a completely different perspective, not quite enough to become his fan, but enough to understand that he's gotta do his thing.
One correction, though:

I mean if Pee Wee Herman started in Japan I think most people would blast him for just being a Japan sellout or something but most in the States regarded him as a comic genious (a little wacky though).

Based on what I know, I think most Americans regard Pee Wee as more wanky than wacky!

[jjaappaa]

I actually like Bob Sapp. I thought that the way he appeared on some tv shows -like when he dressed up as a demon and the comediens he was with took him to people's homes or offices where he would surprise someone who was being an arsehole. I don't think he has much in the way of technique when it comes to fighting and as for the song he released. But all that aside, he seems like a nice guy and I can't begrudge him his 15 minutes of fame.

[Samurai_Jerk]

What is it about Sapp's on screen persona that bothers so many gaijin? What would you have wanted to see him do?

[FG Lurker]

One correction, though:

I mean if Pee Wee Herman started in Japan I think most people would blast him for just being a Japan sellout or something but most in the States regarded him as a comic genious (a little wacky though).

Based on what I know, I think most Americans regard Pee Wee as more wanky than wacky!

[Mini_B]

What is it about Sapp's on screen persona that bothers so many gaijin? What would you have wanted to see him do?

I think Bob Sapp should have worked harder at becoming a good fighter and less time in the studio putting on costumes...that's all. He became popular for fighting...and he owes it to the crowd to continue doing what got him famous (and rich) in the first place.

Besides that, he just annoys me. It's funny to see him act like a monster around a bunch of smaller Japanese guys. I guarantee you he had a completely different persona during his short stint in the NFL. Can you see him giving the same interview for ESPN as he does here in Japan? One of his teammates would bitch slap him.

I don't hate the guy. I'm glad that he had success and I wish him the best. Unless of course he fights my boy MIRKO KROCOP...then he goes down like a ton of bricks!!

[Samurai_Jerk]

What is it about Sapp's on screen persona that bothers so many gaijin? What would you have wanted to see him do?

I think Bob Sapp should have worked harder at becoming a good fighter and less time in the studio putting on costumes...that's all. He became popular for fighting...and he owes it to the crowd to continue doing what got him famous (and rich) in the first place.

Besides that, he just annoys me. It's funny to see him act like a monster around a bunch of smaller Japanese guys. I guarantee you he had a completely different persona during his short stint in the NFL. Can you see him giving the same interview for ESPN as he does here in Japan? One of his teammates would bitch slap him.

I don't hate the guy. I'm glad that he had success and I wish him the best. Unless of course he fights my boy MIRKO KROCOP...then he goes down like a ton of bricks!!

Trust me Mini B, Sapp did work hard to become a better fighter. But you can't just pick that stuff up when you're 30. Most of the guys he fought have been training since they were kids. He will never be a great fighter no matter how hard he trains. If Sapp had the exact same skill set and weighed 210 lbs he never would have even been considered for K-1 or Pride. If your boy Crocop were only 180 lbs he'd still be a great fighter.

As for how he acts in Japan, who gives a shit. He's doing what they want him to do an making money along the way. He doesn't owe anybody anything. And maybe being a big goofy clown is who he is. Maybe he doesn't have anything else to offer. I don't know how many NFL guys could bitch slapp Sapp. Even in the NFL he's fucking huge.

[Andocrates]

Poor Pee-Wee, the internet was just around the corner at that time (for the masses I mean) If we all got arrested for wanking with porn there would be no one left to book-em.

[goldenboy_ge]

He's definitely a fucked gaijin.

[FG Lurker]

Poor Pee-Wee, the internet was just around the corner at that time (for the masses I mean) If we all got arrested for wanking with porn there would be no one left to book-em.

Yah, he really did get fucked by the 'net. Pre-net it might have been written up in some of the gossip rags, but that's about it. After 6 months the entire thing would be forgotten.

Now his picture is all over the place, even years after it happened. To get the pic I posted above I did a Google Image Search and grabbed the pic that looked best. It's a mug-shot so no problem with copyrights etc.

[Nine]

Craig - cool spots, funny classroom scene. "Izakaiya de me ga akai"

Bob vs. Craig

The difference is that Craig speaks Japanese, has a sense of humor and is likeable. Bob is a beast that has no personality and NO real fighting ability (there's more to the sport than overpowering - it's called technique).

Craig has potential to make some serious money if he works with the right people and doesn't sign any more deals like the one that left him in the cold while others raked in the YEN.

Just wondering: why would you sign such a deal Craig?

1. There are no contracts you are just stuck.
2. PM me by entering Nine in the username

I can't explain the whole entertainment industry here. I can compare it to the US & tell the real difference because I acted with Union status in the States. Most that just talk about the industry don't know the real rules of acting in the States.

Lots more to come but not on the forum. Hopefully I can give you guys something to read by the end of the year.

I'm glad if I could contribute to the Japan Gaijin community & expand the minds of some...