From left: Announcer Minoru Aoi, co-host Norito Yashima, Moe Oshikiri and Patrick Harlan

NHK says sayonara to 'Eigode Shaberanaito'

Thursday 19th February, 03:00 AM JST

TOKYO —

NHK has announced that its English-learning program “Eigode Shaberanaito” will end in March. Model and co-host Moe Oshikiri, 29, attended a “sayonara” press conference held at an NHK studio in Shibuya along with Patrick Harlan (“Pakkun”) and other on-air personalities.

Oshikiri has appeared on the 11 p.m. Monday night program for about two years. Oshikiri said: “Two years ago I was afraid of speaking English but this show gave me a lot of courage. I’m really sad about it ending, but I’ll continue learning English for the rest of my life.” She said her fondest memories of the show were those of meeting Will Smith and Cameron Diaz.

Harlan, 38, who has led the show for the past six years, said he was disappointed and that there were many things he had wanted to achieve. “I haven’t met the current U.S. president, and I haven’t asked for Moe’s email address yet either,” he joked.

NHK will air an “Eigode Shaberanaito” special on March 16 from 10 p.m. After that, special editions of the program will be aired on an irregular basis.

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Latest 15 of 42 Total Comments Show All

herefornow at 07:34 PM JST - 19th February

LFRAgain (sorry, but I don't feel the melodramatic need to bold your name like you do)-- but, I didn't suppress my giggle. Not only do you miss the point of my post, but, you fail miserably as an amateur psychologist. The plain fact of the matter is that, as you surely know, Harlan owes his livelihood to basically delivering on the comfortable stereotype of gaijin talent that Japanese folks want. He dumbs down his sense of humor to meet Japan's slap-stick tastes, over-reacts to everything, and basically acts like a non-threatening geek. And the fact that you think that simply because that nonsense affords him a good income is OK, really concerns me. Because all he is doing is furthering the desired stereotype. Much like Bob Sapp does. Personally, also having a Harvard degree, and an income and D&B that I'll compare any day with Harlan -- but having done so by building a successful business -- I believe the less guys like him are on TV the better. And, that fact that he rubs elbows with Monta is a huge "so what"? Is that something we should aspire to?
spudman at 08:23 PM JST - 19th February

LFRAgain: nice rant but Harlan does not elevate the discourse to that of Ivy League status Barrack Obama does. It seems a shame that Pakkun couldn't do more with his opportunity than to make money and reinforce the stereotype that gaikokujin are funny, goofy and laughable. Sure humor is great but how about something more sophisticated than the prepubescent variety favored by Spector, Harlan, Bobby and even back to Mr google eyes Kent Derricott. Sure thats what pays the bills but so does taking your clothes off( in some circles).
LoveUSA at 10:16 PM JST - 19th February

The lowest part of the show was when pakkun took his team to his hometown in the USA and showed to the TV vieweres his high school, his teacher (who began to praise him for being such a smart boy in school), his mother, his house as if anybody was interested in his life.
LFRAgain at 11:17 PM JST - 19th February

herefornow,

sorry, but I don't feel the melodramatic need to bold your name like you do

Actually, it was a courtesy to you and other readers to prevent any confusion as to whom I was replying to. But since you apparently have no qualms about simply flipping the “I’m going to be an a-hole from the get-go” switch because we simply disagree, then I guess my concerns were unwarranted.

In any case, if you weren’t serious about what you are saying here, I’d almost think it was funny, but instead all that stands out is your incredible pretentiousness.

Harlan does not elevate the discourse to that of Ivy League

No, he doesn't. And to my knowledge, that wasn’t a requirement for working in the entertainment industry, either here or abroad. Furthermore, I wasn’t aware that graduating from an Ivy League college obliged the graduate to performing good works and raising public discourse. Why, that would suggest some sort of gentile elitism in this egalitarian free society in which we live, where people are free to make a living any way they want.

Harlan doesn't reinforce any stereotype that gaijin are funny, goofy, and laughable. He reinforces the perception that Patrick Harlan is funny, goofy, and laughable. He is, after all, a comedian. His particular brand of funny, goofy, and laughable, while perhaps not your cup of tea, is what works for him here because that’s precisely what other Japanese comedians do to be successful here.

He’s a comedian. That’s what he does. He’s not offensive. He’s not vulgar. He doesn’t even come close to lowbrow. He does slapstick with an English twist. And for that, he harms the image of gaijin in Japan? Hardly. Drunken US military servicemen and equally drunken college grads on holiday here in disguise as Engrish teachers do more than their share of dispelling any myths about the jocular nature of gaijin, quite honestly.

Harlan owes his livelihood to basically delivering on the comfortable stereotype of gaijin talent that Japanese folks want.

Horse pucky. What stereotype is he feeding specifically? And don’t say “funny, goofy, and laughable, because if you’d been here for any appreciable amount of time, then you would KNOW that’s not any stereotype enjoyed by gaijin here. Arrogant, demanding, and spoiled, with an unjustified sense of entitlement are far closer to the mark.

He dumbs down his sense of humor to meet Japan's slap-stick tastes . . .

He’s a comedian.

. . . over-reacts to everything . . .

He’s a comedian.

. . . and basically acts like a non-threatening geek.

He’s a comedian.

What would you prefer? Delivering humor that his audience won’t get? Low-key under-reaction to counterbalance the low-key under-reaction of the Pakkun-Makkun straight man/funny guy dynamic? Or better yet, since you seem to take issue with it, perhaps he should loom menacingly over his co-workers and display the same sort of aggressive false bravado and arrogance that motivates some to come here and berate an entire culture for its “inferior” sense of humor?

When you start making efforts to “raise the level of discourse” on Japanese television, come back and share your war stories. Until then, get over yourself, son. Your feces doesn’t exude a scent any rosier than Harlan’s.
Speed at 02:25 AM JST - 20th February

I find Patrick Harlan's demeanor on TV commendable. His Japanese is quite impressive and he comes across well as a comedian without going over the top and looking idiotic. The shows he's been on, from the morning news show to eigo de shaberanaito, have been pretty good, in my opinion.

I think the differing and high expectations of the expat community here in Japan will always find fault with whomever becomes a celebrity. It's always been this way as long as I've been in Japan and I've still yet to see the "perfect talento" that everyone is happy with.
Richard_III at 10:56 AM JST - 20th February

While I liked this show with Shaku on it, and Moe is perfectly dishy, I hope that NHK will use this opportunity to give us more of the entertaining, and sometimes nail-bitingly tense, dramas that they so often produce.
Sarge at 10:59 AM JST - 20th February

I liked Yashima's interview with Stan Hansen.

"Moe is perfectly dishy"

Plus, she's so nice!
OssanAmerica at 01:31 AM JST - 21st February

Many of the comments here say more about the expats in Japan than it does of Patrick Harlan or the TV show.
yabits at 02:40 AM JST - 21st February

I thought it a bit odd that the title would have NHK not saying "Good-Bye" to the show. Oh, well.

As for the controversy about Patrick Harlan, my not living there but visiting Japan about twice a year (over 25 years), I didn't find him to be all that different from many other gaijin-tarento. But in fairness, I have not observed him more than once or twice, and so may be missing something. I think the whole thing boils down to the issue of stereotyping. I have noted the tendency by most Japanese to be very comfortable with the behavior of non-Japanese when that behavior fits within a pattern of their expectations.

I am not talking about good manners. But to give an example, I was once asked to make a short video presentation to a Japanese audience and, during an early take while I was rehearsing it, made an error or two in pronunciation that I self-corrected. To my surprise, one of my hosts asked me to purposely mispronounce those segments in the final take so as to give them a more authentic "gaijin flavor."

All that said, I don't think that playing to stereotypes does any good and probably does a fair bit of harm -- both to the audience as well as the individual who engages in it. But that is just my opinion. I've enjoyed reading the discussion here.
herefornow at 11:53 AM JST - 21st February

LFRAgain -- pardon my delay in responding, but I actually have other priorities. Please just turn to page #40 of this week's Metropolis, and see where Harlan is working now. If that is what you hold you as a benchmark for your life/career here, go for it. As you said, you have "meager expectations". But, personally, a guy who uses his Harvard degree to do comedy in bars is not my idol.
Himajin at 12:59 PM JST - 22nd February

I'm sure he'll feel right chastened by your opinion, herefornow, and be so glad you showed him the light.
Kokubuspider at 06:35 PM JST - 23rd February

Pakkun is admirable, flawless japanese and doesnt let himself be made to look stupid for some Yen which most of the other gaijins do. Herefornow doth protest too much, some gaijin envy there....
parrotcat at 10:59 PM JST - 23rd February

Wow what a shame! I'll watch the rest of show. ..."gaijin" is never uttered by Japanese now a days other than stubborn senior citizen.
MottoMatto at 03:26 AM JST - 25th February

"Pakkun" may not be the best actor, but I don't suppose he's the worst either.
aikisako at 03:57 AM JST - 28th February

oh nooooooo. i need to find new fun way to learn eigo now!