Luke's ENGLISH Podcast - Learn British English with Luke Thompson 630. The English Guy with a Sitcom on Japanese TV (with BJ Fox)
Dec 9, 2019
BJ Fox, an English comedian carving out a niche in Japan, shares his unique journey of blending British humor with Japanese culture. He discusses the challenges of pitching his sitcom, *Home Sweet Tokyo*, to local producers and navigating stand-up comedy in a foreign language. BJ dives into the cultural dynamics of performing for Japanese audiences, highlighting the differences in humor styles. With engaging anecdotes, he reveals the rewards and hurdles of his comedic career, making for a delightful exploration of comedy across cultures.
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From Open Mic To Tokyo Highlight
- BJ describes his weekly English open-mic in Shimokitazawa that grew into a Tokyo comedy highlight.
- He typically performs 10-minute sets for mixed audiences of 30–40 people with diverse language backgrounds.
Cultural Limits Shape Jokes
- Japanese audiences accept many forms of comedy but react differently to confrontation and crude sexual humour.
- BJ finds crowd-roasting and overt sexual jokes often don't land with Japanese spectators.
Study With Immediate Usage
- Use passive study plus immediate practical use: consume media and then force yourself to use new phrases the next day.
- Memorize business lines and rehearse them aloud to gain confidence for real-world speaking.
