What the World Is Watching, Including Brazilian Telenovelas to Superheroes Created from Red Bean Paste
A short time ago, our coverage examined the wave of global dystopian series arriving to audiences across the globe. These shows brought stories of environmental disaster, harsh dictatorships, and alien invasions from various locations such as South America, Nigeria, and Asia. Beyond highlighting worldwide fears about societal breakdown, it also underscored how interconnected the TV landscape has become in the current year. Streaming platforms, broadcast networks, YouTube, and unofficial streams can instantly deliver local content from every continent—excluding Antarctica, though one might wonder if any penguin-themed dramas exist there.
Still, even with the high level of global intermingling in TV today, numerous shows remain largely unknown outside their home countries despite massive popularity locally. This week, we set out to spotlight these programs by asking correspondents covering various countries about the shows audiences are watching in their regions. Read on for stories of morning shows in Jamaica, soap operas from Brazil, and Japan's red bean paste-based animated heroes.
Brazil | Anything Goes
Although Brazil's traditional passion for telenovelas has been somewhat affected by streaming services and competition from K-dramas and shows from Turkey, the most talked-about and most watched TV show in Brazil is, expectedly, a soap opera. Vale Tudo is a revival of a series regarded as one of the key of the genre and a huge hit in the late 80s, when Brazil was still recovering from a brutal 20-year authoritarian rule. The first version centered on the question: "Is it worth to be ethical in Brazil?"
The updated series—released during a time of deep political division—has moved away from the political themes of the first, but has drawn high viewership and ignited intense discussions on the internet. Although numerous fans like the reboot, with clips spreading widely on social media, there has also been backlash over changes to the original plot and the portrayal of stereotypes commonly linked to Black women in relation to one of the main characters.
Nigeria | BBNaija
You could conduct an in-depth study on Nigeria's interest with social dynamics and the country's ongoing curiosity in watching more than two dozen strangers confined to a shared home. The latest season of Big Brother Naija is on now, and it still manages to generate more discussion, especially on online networks, than virtually every entertainment happening aside from Premier League football.
BBNaija experiences a level of cultural breakthrough that makes the show hard to ignore whether or not you aren't a viewer. Contestants can typically leverage their appearances into a life of celebrity and endorsements, however temporary. This will endure for as long as the creators keep up their incredible ability to choose the perfect mix of participants who all seem born for the 24-hour stage.
In Japan | Bean Paste Hero
According to the latest figures released, Japan's top-rated consistently aired show is Anpan. It's the latest in a extensive lineup of short daily series, called asadora, aired in the morning Monday through Saturday by national network NHK. Anpan is inspired by the life of Nobu Komatsu, whose husband, the creator Takashi Yanase, created the Anpanman (meaning Bean Paste Man) children's books and cartoon show that have amused and captivated multiple age groups of Japanese kids.
Anpan recounts the rags-to-riches narrative of a female protagonist who experiences the atrocities of the World War II and, alongside her spouse, establishes a kind-hearted picture book series in the seventies. Its hero Anpanman—a red-bean-filled pastry wearing a cape—selflessly helps those in peril and need, offering pieces of his soft, sweet head to feed the starving. Similar to other asadora, Anpan is visual comfort food, with a touching, uplifting plot that calms the unsettled mood of today's times.
Jamaica | Smile Jamaica
Typically, the majority in Jamaica get their television shows from the US, but even so the domestic station Television Jamaica's Smile Jamaica morning show remains a essential part of the national daily life.
Airing from 6-8.30am, with a Saturday edition on Saturdays, it offers an eclectic mix of light entertainment and segments on heavy topical issues. Viewers can enjoy popular dance and pilates tutorials, interesting conversations with a local performer and the makers of a recent food product, but also discussions on Jamaica's firearms laws and the difficult topic of mental health awareness after the nation was rocked by the death of a former Miss Universe Jamaica contestant at just 26. The program is a prime illustration of Jamaica's heavy investment in its entertainment sector, with several local film festivals and the authorities recently announcing millions in local currency for domestic movie projects.
In Poland | Chopin Piano Contest
It may not fit the usual definition of a TV blockbuster, capable of attracting huge audiences. Still, much of Poland will be glued to their screens for the next three weeks following the excitement of the latest edition of a renowned piano competition celebrating Poland's composer and virtuoso the composer Chopin.
The 19th edition of the Chopin Piano Competition started recently. It will include 84 pianists from twenty nations—selected from more than 640 submissions—vying for the first place, widely considered a golden ticket to perform in the top international venues.
The competition, resembling the global sports event for pianists, is held quinquennially and attracts thousands of classical music lovers to the city of Warsaw, with admissions selling out a year in advance. This edition, the home country has thirteen contestants, but musicians from the United States, North America, and Korea are regarded as some of the favourites.
The competition is televised by Poland's public broadcaster and available via live stream, with the winner's concerts starting in the latter part of the month.
