From: owner-monkey To: monkey-digest@anduin.eldar.org Subject: Monkey Digest V1 #11 Reply-To: monkey@anduin.eldar.org Errors-To: owner-monkey Precedence: bulk Monkey Digest Friday, 23 May 1997 Volume 01 : Number 011 In this issue: Re: [monkey] Mushrooms Re: [monkey] Re: Japanese TV Re: [monkey] Re: Endurance Re: [monkey] Mushrooms [monkey] I'm sure Tripitaka was a vampire! Re: [monkey] Re: Japanese TV Re: [monkey] I'm sure Tripitaka was a vampire! Re:[monkey] Monkey versus Steven Seagal! Re[2]:[monkey] Monkey versus Steven Seagal! Re: [monkey] Mushrooms Re: [monkey] Re: Japanese TV Re:[monkey] Monkey versus Steven Seagal! Re: [monkey] Re: Japanese TV Re: [monkey] Re: Japanese TV ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Semprini" Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 19:07:08 +0000 Subject: Re: [monkey] Mushrooms > >I also remember another episode where Tripitaka acted out of character- "he" > >became a vampire and started lusting after young girls in the dead of night > >to suck their blood (and he had fangs!). Although I think it could have been > >an imposter. Does anyone know the details of this ep? I don't remember this one..!? In "Astonishing Coincidences" (the disco one), (s)he does go a bit weird. From memory, (s)he turns into a rat type thing (but human and not in stupid disguise either) and starts doing strange things (including stealing and lusting after young girls.. and doing odd things in the night) I don't remember tripi becoming a vampire though. Surely not? John .oOo. "hello" (c) 1997 mailto:semprini@buttle.com (All Rights Reserved) http://freeweb.redcat.org.uk/~semprini/ (for Heaven's sake, go there..) ------------------------------ From: "Semprini" Date: Wed, 21 May 1997 19:17:05 +0000 Subject: Re: [monkey] Re: Japanese TV > I remember seeing an EXTREMELY bizzare clip from a Japanese tv show called > "The Screamer" or something similar. The entire show simply consisted of a > deranged bloke sneaking around public places like shopping malls and going > up behind members of the public and screaming at an excruciatingly loud > volume. When the poor people jumped out of their skin, the audience would > piss themseleves with laughter! The whole show was based on that ridiculous > premise but everyone seemed to love it!, Sounds like Game for a Laugh or Just Kidding really... I don't think that's necessarily Japanese humour. (It's not necessarily "humour" either...) Mind you, it looks like they've really pushed the single joke to its limits in this case. .oOo. "hello" (c) 1997 mailto:semprini@buttle.com (All Rights Reserved) http://freeweb.redcat.org.uk/~semprini/ (for Heaven's sake, go there..) ------------------------------ From: "Howell Parry" Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 02:35:59 PDT Subject: Re: [monkey] Re: Endurance >>>> Has a whole series of 'Ensurance' ever been screened on TV outside of >>>> Japan? I'd love to see more of it; possibly even buy videos of it. >>> >>>There's 1.5 hours of it tomorrow night as a 'special' on Arena (Galaxy >>>and Foxtel) >> >>I wish they'd show full episodes of it on UK tv - it would be immensely >>popular >>- the ratings would go "through the roof". >> >>>I wonder if they ever set up an event that was Monkey in theme? >>>Dressing the contestants in Monkey costume and getting them to leap >>>from unstable cloud to unstable cloud above a long drop, having to >>>gorge on mushrooms dyed suspicious colors, I'm sure the producers of >>>the show could think of sufficiently dangerous tasks. >> >>They'd probably make the contestants wear a Monkey headband that gets tighter >>and tighter as the game progresses... they'd have to ignore >>the pain for as long as possible while cloud jumping and eating dodgy >>mushrooms - yeah, sounds like an "Endurance" game! >> >What kind of mushrooms had you been eating when you came up with that idea? >:-) :-) :-) >(It's a great idea though!) Dunno - the idea just came to me all of a sudden! I know how 'cruel' the Endurance show is, and this just sprang to mind. Howell - --------------------------------------------------------- Get Your *Web-Based* Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - --------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ From: "Howell Parry" Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 02:48:27 PDT Subject: Re: [monkey] Mushrooms >> >I also remember another episode where Tripitaka acted out of character- "he" >> >became a vampire and started lusting after young girls in the dead of night >> >to suck their blood (and he had fangs!). Although I think it could have been >> >an imposter. Does anyone know the details of this ep? > >I don't remember this one..!? In "Astonishing Coincidences" (the >disco one), (s)he does go a bit weird. From memory, (s)he turns into >a rat type thing (but human and not in stupid disguise either) and >starts doing strange things (including stealing and lusting after >young girls.. and doing odd things in the night) > >I don't remember tripi becoming a vampire though. Surely not? > >John When this list started, I wouldn't have believe it either - but I've heard so many bizarre and surreal storylines from "Monkey" that I'll believe anything now! Tripitaka as a vampire - yeah, sounds reasonable enough to me... Howell - --------------------------------------------------------- Get Your *Web-Based* Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - --------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ From: Nick McCarthy Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 22:32:44 +1000 (EST) Subject: [monkey] I'm sure Tripitaka was a vampire! I also remember another episode where Tripitaka acted out of character- "he" became a vampire and started lusting after young girls in the dead of night to suck their blood (and he had fangs!). Although I think it could have been an imposter. Does anyone know the details of this ep? I don't remember this one..!? In "Astonishing Coincidences" (the disco one), (s)he does go a bit weird. From memory, (s)he turns into a rat type thing (but human and not in stupid disguise either) and starts doing strange things (including stealing and lusting after young girls.. and doing odd things in the night) I don't remember tripi becoming a vampire though. Surely not? It's true!- I remember certain parts of it very clearly. A fanged Tripitaka goes out and attacks young girls at night and suspision eventually falls on the priest when blood is discovered on the front of "his" robes the next day. I seem to remember that Tripitaka denies any wrong doing and it is eventually revealed that an imposter was trying to frame the priest (or something like that!) I have distinct memories of certain episodes of Monkey and the vampire ep is one of them. Surely someone must have information about this episode? (the various episode guides on the net could shed some light perhaps?) I remember being quite spooked by Tripitaka's freaky fanged grin (it looked kinda like the Cat from "Red Dwarf"!), Nick. ------------------------------ From: Nick McCarthy Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 22:38:44 +1000 (EST) Subject: Re: [monkey] Re: Japanese TV I remember seeing an EXTREMELY bizzare clip from a Japanese tv show called The Screamer" or something similar. The entire show simply consisted of a deranged bloke sneaking around public places like shopping malls and going up behind members of the public and screaming at an excruciatingly loud volume. When the poor people jumped out of their skin, the audience would piss themseleves with laughter! The whole show was based on that ridiculous premise but everyone seemed to love it!, Sounds like Game for a Laugh or Just Kidding really... I don't think that's necessarily Japanese humour. (It's not necessarily "humour" either...) Mind you, it looks like they've really pushed the single joke to its limits in this case. Yes indeed, although I'm not sure whether there was an entire series of screaming practical jokes. It is likely that it was just a one off special. The basic "practical joke" premise remained the same as in many of our programs. However, from what I saw, the Japanese "Screamer" was far more outrageous and insane than anything you'd see on Just Kidding! I guess that's why I found it funny (in a devious kinda way :)), Nick. ------------------------------ From: "Howell Parry" Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 05:52:37 PDT Subject: Re: [monkey] I'm sure Tripitaka was a vampire! >I also remember another episode where Tripitaka acted out of character- "he" >became a vampire and started lusting after young girls in the dead of night >to suck their blood (and he had fangs!). Although I think it could have been >an imposter. Does anyone know the details of this ep? > > > >I don't remember this one..!? In "Astonishing Coincidences" (the >disco one), (s)he does go a bit weird. From memory, (s)he turns into >a rat type thing (but human and not in stupid disguise either) and >starts doing strange things (including stealing and lusting after >young girls.. and doing odd things in the night) > > >I don't remember tripi becoming a vampire though. Surely not? > > > >It's true!- I remember certain parts of it very clearly. A fanged Tripitaka >goes out and attacks young girls at night and suspision eventually falls on >the priest when blood is discovered on the front of "his" robes the next >day. I seem to remember that Tripitaka denies any wrong doing and it is >eventually revealed that an imposter was trying to frame the priest (or >something like that!) > >I have distinct memories of certain episodes of Monkey and the vampire ep is >one of them. Surely someone must have information about this episode? (the >various episode guides on the net could shed some light perhaps?) I remember >being quite spooked by Tripitaka's freaky fanged grin (it looked kinda like >the Cat from "Red Dwarf"!), > >Nick. You know, the more I think about this episode, I think I *have* actually seen it, but a long long time ago, so I don't remember any details. Howell - --------------------------------------------------------- Get Your *Web-Based* Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - --------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ From: Nick McCarthy Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 22:56:13 +1000 (EST) Subject: Re:[monkey] Monkey versus Steven Seagal! Clare wrote: In my own view Monkey is an excellent martial artist in his own right - his technique is a bit rough sometimes but he more than makes up for it in martial spirit and he has a pretty mean kiai! He is certainly very fit and acrobatic. I would have to say that he is my own personal ideal of a martial artist. He'd have my vote over Steven Seagal any day!! :-) The original Pigsy wasn't too bad either on occasions. (The second Pigsy obviously doesn't have a clue!) There are a few superb fights (I wish there were more!) where Monkey really gets to show his stuff - obviously against others who have an equal level of skill. (I mentioned these fights earlier - against the spirit of all great snakes and another one against 3 villagers who are trying to kidnap Tripitaka.) He can't do too much with people who haven't been trained without hurting them, so you see him doing minimalist sort of stuff in the fight with the 'good dog' for example. Hah! Got that out of my system! And an interesting contribution it was too!- I know bugger all about martial arts but all the stuff you talked about sounds cool. What interests me in particular is how Monkey used his staff. Because it was a "magic wishing staff", it was often different lengths in different episodes (although I'm sure he never fought off demons with the version of the staff that he kept behind his ear! :) The size changes seemed to allow him to vary his technique- at times he'd spin the staff overhead or to the side of his body and one time in particular, I remember Monkey doing a more complex manouvre where he span the staff over his shoulder and under his arm. A lot of the fight scenes were hammed up and very amusing but there were others that were genuinely quite violent. Being a bit blood thirsty as a youngster, I can remember Monkey using his staff to brutally beat demons in the chest and neck and at times he'd strangle them with the weapon. It's funny, but has anyone else noticed how when Monkey jabbed someone hard with his staff, it would make a distinct stabbing kinda sound (despite the fact that the staff had blunt, rounded ends :) Nick. ------------------------------ From: rmarriage@detectionsys.com Date: Thu, 22 May 97 14:30:40 -0500 Subject: Re[2]:[monkey] Monkey versus Steven Seagal! So, you think his style is pretty much Japanese, eh? I guess that makes sense. It IS a Japanese show. I haven't, as you know, seen the show in about 15 years (so I guess I should just keep my mouth shut!), and I only started learning the differences between martial arts in the last few years (I did exhaustive research before deciding that aikido was the one I wanted to learn). >What style of aikido do you do Rob? When you say "do" do you mean right now? 'cause I've had to take a couple months off to save for my upcoming wedding and the closing costs for the house my fiancee and I just bought. I was doing (and will do again VERY soon) Kokikai Aikido, founded by Maruyama Sensei. Can't wait to get back, and reading this mailing list makes me even more anxious, especially for jo kata. >I agree with Nick most of the strikes Monkey does are with his stick... Hmmm. You didn't mention if he uses his stick to THROW or not. Does he? Because that would be a dead give-away. I guess until we get the show over here in the US I'll have to "see" it vicariously through your descriptions. But man, I NEED to see Tripitaka disco dancing to the theme song! I don't think any description will do for that scene. Are there any web sites out there that have animated clips (probably illegal)? Rob ------------------------------ From: "Clare O'Farrell" Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 10:40:26 +1000 Subject: Re: [monkey] Mushrooms >> >I also remember another episode where Tripitaka acted out of character- >>"he" >> >became a vampire and started lusting after young girls in the dead of night >> >to suck their blood (and he had fangs!). Although I think it could have >>been >> >an imposter. Does anyone know the details of this ep? > >I don't remember this one..!? In "Astonishing Coincidences" (the >disco one), (s)he does go a bit weird. From memory, (s)he turns into >a rat type thing (but human and not in stupid disguise either) and >starts doing strange things (including stealing and lusting after >young girls.. and doing odd things in the night) Didn't we talk about this before? This wasn't the 'outrageous coincidences' episode but another one. As someone else explained that it wasn't in fact Tripitaka who was the vampire but a demon in disguise who was trying to frame Tripitaka. BTW, vampires of various kinds seem to keep on popping up in various episodes! Clare *********************************************************** Clare O'Farrell email:c.ofarrell@qut.edu.au web page: http://www.qut.edu.au/edu/cpol/foucault/ 'Let battle commence. Wine and.... bananas!' *********************************************************** ------------------------------ From: "Clare O'Farrell" Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 13:05:18 +1000 Subject: Re: [monkey] Re: Japanese TV Nick says However, from what I saw, the Japanese "Screamer" was far more >outrageous and insane than anything you'd see on Just Kidding! I guess >that's why I found it funny (in a devious kinda way :)), My own theory is that Japanese society is so regulated that when they break out - they *really* break out. Programs like Endurance probably fit in with a whole tradition of testing your body to the limits that is a feature of martial arts for example! clare *********************************************************** Clare O'Farrell email:c.ofarrell@qut.edu.au web page: http://www.qut.edu.au/edu/cpol/foucault/ 'Let battle commence. Wine and.... bananas!' *********************************************************** ------------------------------ From: "Clare O'Farrell" Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 14:03:45 +1000 Subject: Re:[monkey] Monkey versus Steven Seagal! Nick says >. What interests me in >particular is how Monkey used his staff. Because it was a "magic wishing >staff", it was often different lengths in different episodes snip ) The size changes seemed to allow him to vary his >technique- at times he'd spin the staff overhead or to the side of his body >and one time in particular, I remember Monkey doing a more complex manouvre >where he span the staff over his shoulder and under his arm. Yes, I find that interesting too - to watch the different lengths he uses and the consequent variations in technique - the staff is usually bo length however. I have to admit I was also fascinated by the particular manoeuvre you mention. (Monkey was fighting a god of fertility whom he had insulted profusely for the colourful clothes he was wearing!) I immediately tried to see if I could do the same manouevre with a stick but needless to say, failed miserably!! > >A lot of the fight scenes were hammed up and very amusing but there were >others that were genuinely quite violent. Being a bit blood thirsty as a >youngster, I can remember Monkey using his staff to brutally beat demons in >the chest and neck and at times he'd strangle them with the weapon. In the first episode Monkey kills a demon with a sword. He actually kills quite a lot of people or demons but it is interesting to watch him become more restrained on this front as the series progresses after numerous sermons, headache sutras and banishments from Tripitaka :-) :-) The techniques Monkey uses are of course fighting techniques and they work in reality. But a stick is far less deadly than a sword and intentionally so - - you can still kill somebody with a stick and Monkey does this on several occasions but one has more choice on this front than with a sword. > >It's funny, but has anyone else noticed how when Monkey jabbed someone hard >with his staff, it would make a distinct stabbing kinda sound (despite the >fact that the staff had blunt, rounded ends :) I hadn't noticed that - certainly not pleasant to be jabbed by a stick - no matter how rounded!!! I have noticed however that in the fights even if they are sword against stick, you get that pinging sound that is characteristic of two swords clashing together. Have you noticed a few sparks flying on occasions as well? I'm not at all sure how you get a spark out of a sword hitting a stick - but there it is!! (Monkey magic perhaps?) Clare *********************************************************** Clare O'Farrell email:c.ofarrell@qut.edu.au web page: http://www.qut.edu.au/edu/cpol/foucault/ 'Let battle commence. Wine and.... bananas!' *********************************************************** ------------------------------ From: Chris Hadgis Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 14:31:22 +1000 (EST) Subject: Re: [monkey] Re: Japanese TV According to Clare O'Farrell: > My own theory is that Japanese society is so regulated that when > they break out - they *really* break out. Programs like Endurance > probably fit in with a whole tradition of testing your body to the > limits that is a feature of martial arts for example! I always wondered about this show. Is it serious (I think so) or is it a comedy? Why would 600 students vie to be on such a show? Why would anyone put themselves through such punishment for a lousy six days in Hawaii? I really am curious about all of these things. ChrisH ------------------------------ From: "Howell Parry" Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 02:17:01 PDT Subject: Re: [monkey] Re: Japanese TV >Nick says > >However, from what I saw, the Japanese "Screamer" was far more >>outrageous and insane than anything you'd see on Just Kidding! I guess >>that's why I found it funny (in a devious kinda way :)), > >My own theory is that Japanese society is so regulated that when they break >out - they *really* break out. Programs like Endurance probably fit in with >a whole tradition of testing your body to the limits that is a feature of >martial arts for example! I agree with you completely here, Clare; the Japanese *really* know how to have a "good" time! Howell - --------------------------------------------------------- Get Your *Web-Based* Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - --------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ End of Monkey Digest V1 #11 *************************** ----------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the Monkey Mailing List digest list, send mail to: majordomo@anduin.eldar.org with the following command in the body of your email message: unsubscribe monkey-digest To send a message to the list, send mail to: monkey-digest@anduin.eldar.org If you have any problems or questions, send mail to: owner-monkey@anduin.eldar.org For lots more information and news about "Monkey", check out the Monkey! web site: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/8153/