I love Japanese Variety shows.  The whole entertainment structure differs from the US in that they have "Talento", a self identified group of entertainers.  Since they are essentially entertainers they entertain us in all things...TV, radio, movies, dramas, commercials, talk shows, game shows, documentaries, ...everything.  There is no equivalent here in the US.  The advantage this holds for these Talento is that the average viewer begins to recognize and become fans and follow their entertainment from channel to channel, show to show, decade to decade.  This broad range these entertainers carry in my opinion the success of many shows that just don't work in countries without this structure.  More on that in a different post.