The outrageous show TV Funhouse does a Pokemon spoof – the animated skit takes aim not only at silly Japanese kids anime but also at Joe Camel and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco. It’s a commentary on the targeting of children in ad campaigns, of which mascot Joe Camel was accused. RJR ended the campaign in 1997.
As for Pokemon, the Nintendo and Satoshi Tajiri’s media sensation – well, the thing might actually be too Japanese for Japanese people. It’s a weird, goofy show about cockfighting except instead of chickens they use cute little monster things who usually hang out in “pokeballs” until their masters call them up to fight. The TV Funhouse satire is dead-on.