Japan: Exporter of High Tech; Importer of Bad TV

And the latest in Japanese versions of American TV shows: Remember the "Masked Magician" that was on Fox a few years ago, revealing the secrets of basic-level magic tricks? Well, they've imported footage from that show here. They have a small audience of formally-dressed celebrities watch it, oohing and aaahing at the appropriate moments. In some respects, Nippon Television has improved on the formula; for example, after they show the basic explanation, they follow up with footage from Vegas of an illusionist doing a much better version of the trick. They also have Japanese close-up illusionists interacting with the celebs, doing some amazing things with cards, dice, coins, etc.

There's also a famous Japanese illusionist who goes by the name Princess Tenko, who does some good stuff. (there was one episode where her trick was painfully obvious, but that was an exception.)

However, they've also imported the Masked Magician himself -- or, more accurately, his mask. (He never said anything.) In every episode, most of the time he stands there and looks menacing. Then, at the end, he does some easily-seen-through trick. This time, he made the Nippon Television building in Tokyo disappear. At night. Gee, could they have just, oh, I don't know, turned off the lights?