Five ways the Japanese are technically better than us

Japanese TV programmes have more than their fair share of weirdness. But let's be honest, when you've seen one British or American game show, you've pretty much seen them all.

So when we discovered Hole in the Wall, or Human Tetris as it's sometimes called (despite being very little like Tetris at all) we could hardly believe it. Instantly our faces were illuminated with joy: a game show that doesn't try to be high-brow or gimmicky; quite the opposite, it aims for slapstick humour, and it works a treat.

Even this simple show requires something the rest of the word would never dare to do: mix technology with water. But the Japanese just don't care for such ludicrous concerns -- either their gadgets are all waterproof, or the health and safety inspector was too busy on the techno-toilet to take a look at the studio.

Hole in the Wall is now a global hit, of course, but when you watch the BBC version you know they must have filled in literally hundreds of health and safety forms to make our own British version. It's a certainty that during recording there's an army of green-jacketed men with clipboards in the studio, ensuring each and every step is carried out according to HSE guidelines.

Photo credit: BBC

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