Vermilion Pleasure Night: Vol. 1: Optic Erotica

Even in the wild world of Japanese late-night TV, this show stands out for the bizarre vignettes that include everything from clay creatures talking about body hair to a playhouse full of desperately violent housewives. Profane, provocative and often disturbing, director Yoshimasa Ishibashi's variety show -- which mixes live action, animation and special effects -- delivers a sensual assault that yields a unique perspective on modern culture.