Justin Lee Collins: Turning Japanese Episode 2

Description: After a week in Tokyo Justin heads south to Osaka Japans funky capital of comedy. Osaka is the home of manzai a traditional form of stand-up comedy. Comedians pair up and perform dizzying routines that combine broad slapstick with rapid-fire delivery. Determined to master the art of manzai Justin joins local actor and fellow novice Yujiro.Justin and Yujiro attend a comedy night in which several duos perform short sketches and the audience members vote for their favourite acts. After the show Justin and Yujiro meet the winning pair who reveal some champion manzai secrets. You should shave one of them tells Justin. Japanese audiences prefer clean people.In dire need of mentorship Justin and Yujiro turn to Zenjiro master of manzai. Despite his reservations the comedy veteran helps the new double act take shape. Justin learns some essential Osaka slang and the pair get a crash course in slapstick violence. They settle on Fish and Chips as a stage name for their international act and are soon ready to hit the streets. At a bustling shopping centre Justin and Yujiro round up a small crowd to show off their new-found manzai prowess. One stranger criticises their timing while another brands Justin scary. Undeterred the pair head to a novelty costume shop to buy Justin a charming outfit involving a gold lam thong...Taking a break from rehearsal Justin visits the Edo Wonderland theme park. Translator Mai explains that the Edo period was noted for its tranquillity and peace and Edo Wonderland recreates that experience. Unlike the noise and excitement of British theme parks this small patch of 17th-century Japan is a calm haven. But there is still plenty to see and do. After watching a ninja display Justin dons a samurai costume and sharpens his skills as a swordsman and horse rider.Later Justin learns that comedy and entertainment can happen at any setting even a meal out. He also discovers that themed restaurants in Japan are not always the family-friendly establishments they are in the UK. At an Alcatraz-themed diner a waitress with exposed underwear handcuffs Justin. She leads him to a cell where he faces a food-based endurance test rather than a relaxing meal. Its the worst prison Ive ever been in Justin says after having eggs cracked on his forehead and yoghurt injected into his mouth. I wouldnt take my kids there. I wouldnt take anyone there.The pressure mounts as Justins comedy debut draws near. Fish and Chips are due to perform in Bettys Mayonnaise a transsexual cabaret bar. After a last-minute pep talk from Zenjiro Justin and his comedy partner take the stage. But catastrophe strikes when Justin forgets all of his Japanese lines onstage and he is forced to improvise. Will his cheeky charms be enough to bring down the house or is this the end of his burgeoning manzai career?