JibJab Video Makes the News

Tonight they played the newest video at JibJab.com during a Japanese TV news program (with sub titles). Doubtless another strange impression of life in America. In case you are one of the few people who haven't seen any of the US election videos at JibJab.com, you can follow the link above and catch up. After watching the clip on TV, I went to the computer and watched it again online. I noticed that that they edited out some parts, probably to shorten the video to fit the time slot. I noted that a brief clip of Bill Cinton looking at a center fold (and getting slapped by Hillary) was neatly incised. I was wondering why the editor cut out that section. Clinton is still a lot more popular here than Bush, so maybe it was to protect Clinton's image. Then again, the image of an older male politician looking at dirty pictures may hit a bit too close to home. But the more I think about it, the ex-President of the USA getting slapped upside the head by his wife may be the hardest part to digest. I just can't imagine even the cheesiest Japanese TV show depicting Koizumi being treated that way. It goes against the sense of hierarchy/honor/standing that gives order and ultimately Japan's famed "harmony" to society. And on a practical, the editor (i.e., if it's a he) might be uncomfortable planting that image in the heads of millions of Japanese wives.

About the picture above, the other day I was trying to figure out how to get better indoor exposures with my semi-new flash. I'll put up a longer post at the end of the month. Until then...

Posted by jw at January 22, 2005 11:19 PM