Was the American interviewed in on it?

GodotCoffee said:
If you listen to what he says in the interview and the way the Japanese translates what he says it is COMPLETELY different to the point where they make him look like an ass. If he wasn't I have to wonder what he thought when he saw the "translation".

‘Cause it was really very insulting. They knew they had a live one in this fellow Craig York. They knew they had a total, total geek. And they just turned on the camera and let him talk. And he was pouring out his heart, and they took the piss on him.

Even though "Shon Hernandez" was only a character, Lea Hernandez explains that Craig York's dialogue (that you hear in the background, as opposed to the Japanese voiceover) was unscripted, and that they just let him say whatever he wanted. Like you mentioned, what he actually says is completely different from the Japanese voiceover...except for a brief part about Lum. Craig puts his hands on his head to indicate horns, so I guess they had to have the voiceover say something similar to what was actually said so that the gesture wouldn't seem totally out of place.

Peedee said:
Except for when he said anime was "cool" and the translator says "he wishes he was born in this golden land". That made me laugh too hard.

Danish said:
This interview talks about that particular interview and its "loose" translation. Find "Otaku no video" on that page for the segment. "Shon Hernandez" was actually named Craig York, an American that worked for General Products:

And this article: