You’ve been in Japan too long when, while watching the morning “wide show” on TV, you wonder if the phrase “wide show” is proper English or not. A wide show is the Japanese (I think) term for the morning variety shows that feature tidbits of news and other information for people to watch while they have their breakfast and morning coffee. Gossip is always fun to listen to, and Dave Spector — probably the most famous Japanese-speaking American “talent” on TV here, who we all hate because he dyes his black hair blonde and speaks better Japanese than us — updates everyone on the latest from Hollywood. The Japanese are quite into astrology (both its conventional Western form and several types of Chinese-derived astrology), and these morning shows often rattle off people’s horoscope quickly. Next comes the weather report, followed by today’s “pollen” forecast, warning hayfever-prone people the best time of day to stay indoors if they want to avoid having itchy eyes and a runny nose all day. Unfortunatey several members of the J-List staff are getting hit with hayfever this week…
Dave Spector is the gaijin we love to hate, because his Japanese is better than ours.
