Takeshi's Castle (UK & Ireland)

Takeshi's Castle is a very popular programme shown to British audiences and fans alike. Although the series was first shown in November 2002 on Challenge, there were times clips of the show was shown.
==First glimpses in the UK==
The first time British audiences got to see Takeshi's Castle was in 1987 when clips of it was from Clive James in Japan where he becomes a contestant of that very show.
Clips from the show itself was first shown to British audiences in the late 1990s, when it was featured semi-regularly as part of Tarrant on TV, in which broadcaster Chris Tarrant showcased a variety of unusual television programmes from around the world.
It was also shown on Sky One's World's Weirdest TV which in most weeks, featured a clip from the show with Jenny Powell as the commentator.
==Popularity in the UK==
Takeshi's Castle become more well-known when a condensed version of the original series proved an unexpected hit when it premiered on Challenge on 9 November 2002, regularly dominating the top ten programmes on the channel each week.
The UK format does not follow the original Japanese format, instead presenting each sequence of games as comic martial challenges leading to the final game wherein contestants not so far eliminated try to storm Takeshi's Castle. Each episode is narrated by Craig Charles. A typical episode of the UK format of Takeshi's Castle has about eight games, followed by the Final Showdown. After each event, a 'Ridiculous Replay' is shown, highlighting the most entertaining attempt. Challenge decided to edit out the comedy sketches between Takeshi and Higashi to allow more (or fewer) games to be shown during the half-hour block.
More series were commissioned and shown over the next few months, culminating in a series of hour long specials in the Autumn of 2003, and a special highlights show, The A-Z of Takeshi's Castle, broadcast on January 1, 2004 which showed some of the best clips of the best games as the last original series finale. Repeats are no longer aired on Challenge, or any channel for that matter unfortunately. 
The UK TV series returned to Challenge after a hiatus on September 7, 2009, with a modified opening sequence (to fit with Flextech rebranding to Virgin Media Television).
As of 2021, the series no longer airs on UK television, with only the Comedy Central and Nickelodeon version being aired occassionally.
==MXC in the UK==
On 3 September 2005, MXC aired for the first time in the UK on Challenge, it was taken off air after a few months before showing it again during late nights/early hours during Challenge's late zone in the mid 2010's.
==Adaptations==
On 9 May 2007, The Paul O'Grady Show had their own mini Takeshi's Castle challenge, including 'Knock Knock', 'Bite the Bun', a "Bridge Ball" adaptation called 'Balancing Act' and the 'Slippery Wall'.
==Other versions==
===Takeshi's Castle Rebooted===
In March 2013, a new series of Takeshi's Castle was shown for the first time in 10 years with Dick & Dom as the voiceovers and with never seen before clips.
See Takeshi's Castle Rebooted for more information.
===Takeshi's Castle Thailand===
15 years since the original series was first shown in their entirety, Comedy Central shown an edited Thailand version of the show with commentator "Jonathan Ross". 40 cut-down episodes was produced in total.
See Takeshi's Castle Thailand (International) for more information
===Takeshi's Castle Indonesia===
In 2018, Comedy Central shown another cut-down series, this time based on the first 2 seasons of Takeshi's Castle Indonesia. Three different commentators was used along with special guests for the very first time.
See Takeshi's Castle Indonesia (International) for more information
===Takeshi's Castle (Reboot)===
Launched on 30th August 2023, Amazon Prime in the UK started showing the newly-made reboot of the show filmed in Midoriyama Studios with new commentators Romesh Ranganathan & Tom Davis. Most of the original footage will be used in this reboot.
See Romesh & Tom Take Takeshi's Castle for more information
==Trailers==
===Main trailers===
Trailer 	Description 	Aired 	Screenshot
First trailer 	Various Clips from series 1 shown with commentary throughout by an unknown voiceover with the background being the UK theme. Also aired on FTN after launch. 	November 2002 to January 2003 	
Turning Japanese 	Various clips from series 1 is seen with The Vapor's "Turning Japanese" as the background music, This was used for both the Good Friday marathon and back-to-back weekend episodes. 	March & April 2003 	
Series 2 	In a spoof of the Cadbury's Creme Egg adverts, the voiceover asks various contestants "How do you beat yours?" with clips from series 1 being shown. 	April 2003 	
Happy Clappy Chappy Craig	Craig Charles is seen in an average Japanese room with events happening to him like a punch on his face, a boulder trying to knock him over and running through the wrong door like Knock Knock. The original version ends with an ending with a boulder crashing through the TV screen which promoted series 3. Also used for the Omnibus with the basic Challenge TV endboard.	May to Summer 2003 	
Series 4 	Slow motion clips from series 1 with some Japanese music and a woman voiceover asking silly questions starting with "Have you got what it takes to take on Takeshi's Castle?" and ending with "If you have, then turn up for Takeshi's Castle, weekdays". First aired for the start of series 4. 	July 2003 to at least March 2004	
Specials 	Clips from all 10 special episodes. 	September 2003 	
Charity Appeal 	Various actors appear as contestants post-injury such as bandages and neck braces. 	2003/2004? 	
Keshi's Head to Head 	Craig Charles voices this trailer with a vote between the 2 specials, clips showing special "A" and special "B" are shown with Craig mentioning that the viewers decide who wins between them both.
A 20 second and a 30 second version of this trailer was aired 	July & August 2004 	
2005 trailer 	In different coloured backgrounds, clips from various courses were shown along with words to describe them.
A 10 second and a 30 second version of this trailer was aired 	Late 2005 to early 2006 	
Formula-One style 	Fast-paced footage from the best of series 4 (including specials) with various contestants speeding through various courses with formula-one style sound effects ending with a few interactions from contestants. The music used was the William Tell Overture theme from "A Clockwork Orange".
A 10 second and a 30 second version of this trailer was aired.
NOTE: When the 30 second version originally aired, a slight spelling mistake occurred at the end as "Takeski's Castle". It is unknown if it was ever corrected.	February to Spring/Summer 2007 	
Japanese Invasion 	Using black and white footage with the only colour being visible is red (like red helmets or the boxing beast). It's a take on a war style film at the time.
A 10 second and a 30 second version of this trailer was aired. 	August to November 2007 	
My Hero 	After 5 years without trailers, we see clips of various contestants getting hit, falling into the water, etc with Foo Fighters' "My Hero" as the background music. 	October 2012 	
Takeshi's Castle Rebooted	General Tani returns to voice over a Japanese style advert for new games, new footage and even mentions "Challenge" in Japanese, ending with "IKE!". This is to promote the Rebooted series. This was the final trailer to be shown for Takeshi's Castle in the UK. 	February & March 2013 	
Takeshi comes to Thailand	Jonathan Ross narrates this trailer with various clips from "Takeshi's Castle Thailand" (In particular, Bridge Ball) set to the background music of "1812 Overture". Also used in most countries which aired the show with a different narrator. 
A 30 second and a 60 second version of this trailer has aired.
Note: Unlike the actual show, all the advertisement boards were replaced with Comedy Centrals's logo and background.	October 2017 	
===Compilation trailers===
Note: This list is currently incomplete, feel free to edit when there's more. 
Trailer 	Description 	Aired 	Screenshot
Action & Adventure (v1)	Clips featuring It's a Knockout, Fort Boyard, Ice Warriors, Gladiators & Don't Try This at Home. Ending with a Takeshi's Castle catch-up omnibus on Saturdays.	Early 2004 	
Japanorama 	With Takeshi's Castle, Extreme Endurance and Sushi TV every weekday and Drunken Businessmen at weekends. 	February 2004 	
Teatime Takedown (v1) 	Featured Takeshi's Castle (clips from specials), Fort Boyard and Gladiators.
A 10 second and a 30 second version of this trailer was aired. 	February 2006 	
Teatime Takedown (v2) 	Same as above (clips this time are from series 1), but with Crystal Maze instead of Gladiators.
A 10 second and a 30 second version of this trailer was aired.	August 2006 	
Teatime Takedown (v3) 	Same as above, with Gladiators returning and also featured ISFA Strongman Championship.
A 10 second and a 30 second version of this trailer was aired. 	September 2006 	
I love Challenge 	Featured clips from many shows and Challenge originals with Takeshi's Castle included. 	January 2007 	
Teatime Takedown (v3) 	A new look, featured Takeshi's Castle, Crystal Maze and Ninja Warrior. 	November 2007 	
3 obstacle courses 	Featured Takeshi's Castle, Ninja Warrior and Total Wipeout. 	Summer 2012 	
Summer Boot Camp 	When school's out! Clips from Fun House, Knightmare, Takeshi's Castle Rebooted, Total Wipeout, Ninja Warrior and Gladiators.
NOTE: Final trailer to use Takeshi's Castle footage.	July & August 2013	
Category:Takeshi's Castle
Category:Takeshi's Castle redubbed shows
Category:Japan shows around the world
Category:Takeshi's Castle (UK)