'Nudity' on NHK outrages viewers

250 viewers complain about costumes

By MARK SCHILLING

Pubcaster NHK went one up on Janet Jackson's Super Bowl nipple flash when "nude" female dancers on a popular year-end show prompted hundreds of viewer complaints and an on-air apology by emcee Tamio Miyake.

The dancers appeared on a segment of the "Red and White Song Show," a New Year's tradition in Japan for more than five decades that is watched by millions of all ages. Backing singer DJ Ozma, they looked to be bare-breasted but were actually wearing realistic bodysuits.

More than 250 viewers called into to complain, prompting Miyake to explain that the dancers "were not really naked" and apologize for the "misunderstanding" while the show was still on the air.

During DJ Ozma's number, which featured the lyrics "You gotta get naked -- really show your (slang word for penis)," the singer himself stripped down to his briefs. But viewer complaints centered on the female backup dancers, who seemed to dancing topless.

An NHK spokesman later explained that at the previous day's rehearsal the dancers wore bikini tops, and the producers did not know they would strip for the show, which was broadcast live.

Ozma later said, "Maybe we made (the bodysuits) look too real."

Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117956478.html

Like this article? Variety.com has over 150,000 articles, 40,000 reviews and 10,000 pages of charts. Subscribe today!
http://www.variety.com/emailfriend
or call (866) MY-VARIETY.
Can't commit? Sign up for a free trial!
http://www.variety.com/emailfriend