It's the penultimate week of the year, which means regular variety shows get to save a bit of money by looking back at the year's highlights. "Sanma's Karakuri TV" (tonight at 7, TBS), a mix-and-match assembly of out-of-studio comedy skits hosted in-studio by Osaka funnyman Sanma Akashiya, presents an extended two-hour special tonight.
The highlight portion of the show will reprise the year's best home videos, which always open the show. These videos are usually categorized into animals, children and family themes.
Another popular segment is "Funniest Japanese," presented by No. 1 gaijin tarento Thane Camus, who actually grew up in Japan. Originally, this segment was titled "Funniest English" and had Camus going to various places in Tokyo and asking average people to describe personal experiences in their best English, which usually turned out to be very bad English. "Funniest Japanese" turns the tables by quizzing foreigners who describe experiences in their best Japanese. On tonight's show, however, the segment has been revamped, with Camus offering lessons on "correct Japanese" to three "unique" foreign guests.