On NHK and other Japanese TV stations, the newscasters calmly read out the news. But in Italy, the minute the fact-reporting news ends, every channel turns into a program where the reported news is debated. Politicians and critics have intensely heated discussions on live broadcasts, with even the moderators emotionally inserting themselves at top volume. Sometimes it gets to the point where the guests end up grabbing each other or storming out—making you wonder whether the show is supposed to be a discussion or a fight club episode.
The scenes made me quite uncomfortable at first, honestly. I would switch off the TV, not even knowing who or what I was mad at. But I gradually came to realize that it was just a natural extension of how the Italians typically communicate—that it’s part of their national character to passionately exchange opinions. Ever since then, I’ve been able to watch these debate shows from a different perspective, sometimes even mentally egging the people on (lol).
Next are the programs that function like national events. Japan’s Red and White Song Battle is a perfect example. Like New Year’s Eve soba noodles or ringing the temple bells at midnight, nearly every family in Japan brings in the New Year with the Song Battle. In Italy, it’s the Sanremo Music Festival in February. It’s also a song contest, but it’s more than just a music program. People talk for days about every aspect of the show, from the host’s jokes to the guests’ political remarks and extreme behavior, to the performers’ outfits. The festival goes on for five days, during which the whole country is caught up in Sanremo fever. Japan’s Red and White Song Battle only lasts one night; Sanremo nearly a week. There is no cultural programming in Japan that captures the nation’s attention for that long.
Another difference is that while Japanese variety shows tend to rely on physical humor from guest performers, Italian variety shows hinge on the charisma of the host. They feature songs and comedy sketches, running late into the night amidst lively audience interactions. Even more so than in Japan, the personality of the host determines the popularity of the show. Meanwhile, the way Italian dramas are presented is rather surprising. The Italians adore shows like Don Matteo, which portray Catholic priests and family bonds.
Of course, no discussion of Italian TV would be complete without mentioning live soccer broadcasts. With the exception of the World Cup and high school baseball season, Japan doesn’t really whip into a fervor over sports. But every weekend, the Italians are absolutely glued to Serie A football broadcasts—to the point that everybody will be talking about who won or lost when they get to school and work the next day. TV isn’t just entertainment to the Italians; it’s a driving force within their social relationships.
Taking all this into consideration, we can say that Japanese TV prioritizes regularity, while Italian TV puts debate and passion at the forefront. This difference was disorienting for me at first—even driving me to disgust—but I now consider television to be a valuable experience that teaches us about national characteristics. If you have a chance to spend some time in Italy, make sure you turn on the TV and check it out. For the Japanese, at least, the fiery emotions will surely take you by surprise.
With the director on the set of a TV program I was involved in
