The other day TV viewers in Japan got a treat: Quentin Tarantino and Brad Pitt appearing on the popular variety show Bistro SMAP. SMAP (which stands for “Sports Music Assemble People” in case you were wondering) is a popular — what? boy band? post-boy band? they all pushing 40 so let’s go with “talent group” — consisting of five members who sing, dance and do comedy skits, which has been a fixture of the J-POP world since they debuted in 1991. On their TV show, they invite distinguished guests to eat a fabulous gourmet meal cooked by the group members while the guests relax and talk. Both Tarantino and “Burapii” (as he’s universally known here) love Japan, and it was interesting to see them in this unique setting, being asked who their favorite directors were or what shops they like to hit while in Tokyo. (Brad is always looking for Totoro and Spirited Away stuff for his kids.) Even before the show began I knew I’d be seeing Japan’s “Queen of Subtitles” Natsuko Toda, the woman who translates all the top movies and whose personal schedule can affect Hollywood film release dates. Sure enough, she was there serving as the personal interpreter for Brad.
Catching “Burapii” and Tarantino on TV was fun. Brad didn’t slurp his noodles loudly enough.
