A former contestant on iconic ’90s hit Takeshi’s Castle has shared insights into his time on the brutal game show, which makes a sensational return to British screens.
Scott revealed he skipped school at 17 to take part in the series and was stunned to realize he didn’t have to complete every single round to get to the final.
The Japanese-made film “Takeshi’s Castle,” which became iconic thanks to the mega-failures of its participants, became a huge success in the United Kingdom and dozens of other countries after its initial release in 1986.
The new edition, hosted by comedians Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis, was released to UK viewers on Amazon Prime on Wednesday.
The British version of the original show became iconic when Craig Charles – who thrilled viewers with his crushing defeats when contestants were running low – took on the role of narrator.
Blast from the past: A former contestant on iconic ’90s hit Takeshi’s Castle has shared insight into his time on the brutal game show, which makes a sensational return to British screens
In a video posted by YouTube star Max Fosh, Scott revealed that bosses stopped filming the challenges and moved on when 20 people had completed the event, meaning he went through to the final.
However, his great chance was short-lived as he was eliminated just a few seconds after the task began.
Speaking about his time on the show, Scott, who lives in the US, explained: “So I got an email from a guy called Scott.”
“Scott was on the show, Scott was 17 when he got to TC. Scott left school to be at TS and Scott made it to the finals.
“We had to get off the train early in the morning, I think it was around 7 or 8 in the morning, freezing cold, it actually snowed that day.”
“The day was a full day of shooting. What I wore, our shirts, were actually our PR uniforms from high school.
“So we just joke around a bit and show ourselves on TV now, but when all the teachers found out we were on they actually thought it was absolutely hilarious.”
“We had a total of 108 people in our group. One of the things I noticed is that not everyone has to go through all the events. 15 to 20 people said, ‘Okay, that’s it, we’re good, we are.'” Moving on to the next shot.”
Recap: Scott revealed that he skipped school at 17 to compete in the series and was stunned to realize he didn’t have to complete every round to get to the finals
Oh dear! Scott eventually made it to the finale, telling Max, “Our leader said at the end, ‘Go ahead and leave!’ and I went in the house and exploded.”
Beloved: The Japanese crazy show, which became iconic through the mega-failures of its contestants, became a huge hit in the UK after its initial release in 1986
“I’m going to go,” “Wait a minute, not all of us do that, wait a minute, I’m not going to volunteer, I’m not going to volunteer until I’m called, I will,” “try to do it as far as possible to advance.”
Scott eventually made it to the finals, telling Max, “Our leader at the end said, ‘Go ahead and go!'” and I started walking into the house and exploded like I was done after five meters.” And I’m like, ‘What?’ I think I shot myself.”
Contestants on the show have previously spoken out about their experiences at Takeshi’s Castle, with one unnamed star revealing that cast members were only paid a minimal fee.
A post on Reddit said: “All participants received a small entry fee (about $25 if I remember correctly).”
“They also gave us lunch (sushi and sashimi, of course) and soft drinks.”
The contestant, who announced he was eliminated in an early round, added that the jackpot prize for the winner was about $10,000 or about £7,860.
Although the series’ original run ended in 1990, its influence on television was enormous, with the likes of Total Wipeout and Ninja Warrior benefiting from it.
Likewise, the Netflix megahit Squid Game has echoes of Takeshi’s Castle, albeit with far deadlier consequences for the characters involved.
The show was originally introduced to Japanese viewers by the Tokyo Broadcasting System.
The focus was on Japanese comedian Takeshi Kitano, who gave players physical challenges to reach him in his castle.
The participants – ordinary Japanese men and women – were led by Commander Hayato Tani.
A prize of 1 million yen (£5,000) was awarded to anyone who could survive all challenges unscathed.
It was first published in the UK in the late 1980s and was narrated by Clive James and Chris Tarrant.
When the version with a voiceover by Charles appeared on Challenge in 2002, it proved an unexpected success.
The challenges included walking over a series of stones in a lake, with the added problem of some sinking into the water when stepped on.
Another setup required participants to run at full speed toward doors, most of which were bricked up.
Dynamic Duo: Tom Allen and Romesh Ranganathan took on the narrator role after Craig Charles’ appearance in the ’90s made the series a British hit
In a third case, participants had to wear a Velcro suit so they could hold on to a wall after swinging across a lake.
The new version of the series, which spans eight episodes, aired in Japan in April and has since premiered in various countries.
In a joint statement last month, Ranganathan and Davis said: “Nothing is more magical than a reboot of yesterday’s hit show, although the pressure is on to bring back the wonder of Takeshi’s Castle.”
“We are honored to bring back the craziest show of all time to a whole new generation; “Hopefully they can take away the life lessons we learned from the original.”
Dam Grabiner, Head of Originals at Prime Video, said: “Takeshi’s Castle has a special place in the hearts of British viewers, and Tom and Romesh’s brilliant new take on the show makes it as incomprehensible as ever and very, very funny.”