This Is A Formula That Should Not Work

Plunging ever further into Japanese pop culture, I've taken a hiatus from J-dramas and moved on to the hard stuff--variety shows.  This genre is Japan at its goofiest, and even supercool boy bands like Arashi are not exempt from being made fools of.  In fact, the band has hosted over 300 episodes of weird variety show wonder.  

Prime example:  The picture above features Aiba Masaki enthusiastically executing his "A no Arashi" pose (with help from Assistant Sakurai Sho).  It's a segment where he gets really excited doing pointless scientific experiments.  For example, finding out what happens when you put binoculars on and try to run a hurdle race.  Also (true story), does wearing a suit of mirrors make you invisible?  (The answer, sadly, is no.)

Now, this should not make for good TV.  Yet, it does.  Shall we guess some reasons?

Reasons!  Which are true? 
1. Cut guys are cut guys, no matter how stupid they act.
2.  Wacky hijinks make pop stars (who are usually up on a pedestal) seem more accessible.  ("If this guy's willing to do such ridiculous things," thinks the fangirl, "it's not too much of a stretch to think he'd date me.")
3.  Wacky hijinks make pop stars easier to identify with.  ("These guys remind me of my friends and I.  I should buy their album.")
4.  Who doesn't want to see wacky hijinks?  No one, that's who.
Conclusion:  It's fun!

I have to confess that all four of those thoughts crossed through my mind as I watched episodes of ridiculous Arashi variety shows this weekend.  In fact, I plan on starting Aiba's new drama (My Girl) because of how semi-on-purpose funny he is during his experiments.  These shows are yet another cog in the wheel of highly effective Johnny and Associates marketing.  Perhaps N'Snyc, etc. would still be around if they'd followed suit?   

PS:  Utaban is probably the best of the bunch here.  Pop singing veteran Nakai torments his juniors.  Jeffer has the hook-up to even better moments at LiveJournal.