Comedian Shibata Says He "Really Disliked" Fellow Comedian on TV Show
Listen to the story
Hidetsugu Shibata, a member of the Japanese comedy duo Untouchable, made a surprising comment on television. He talked about a fellow comedian who began his career at almost the same time as him.
Shibata said, "I really disliked him," while speaking on the show. He did not explain his comment in detail in the report.
The comment was made on the TOKYO MX program "Ee Janaika!!" Other guests on the show included Mari Yaguchi and Minami Takahashi, two well-known Japanese entertainers.
Yaguchi was formerly a member of the popular idol group Morning Musume. Takahashi was previously a leader of the idol group AKB48.
During the same broadcast, the show also introduced a service called "Flower and Green e-Gift." This is an online platform that allows people to send flowers and plants as gifts.
The report did not give further details about the flower gift service or explain more about the relationship between Shibata and the comedian he mentioned.
Untouchable is a well-known comedy duo in Japan. Shibata often appears on variety shows, a popular type of Japanese television program that mixes talk, comedy, and entertainment segments.
Vocabulary5 words
- comedy duo
- two people who perform comedy together
- entertainers
- people who work in TV, music, or performing
- platform
- an online service or system used for something
- variety shows
- TV programs with different kinds of entertainment
- broadcast
- a program shown on TV or radio
Quiz
Answer key
1. A comedian who started at almost the same time as him 2. AKB48 3. A flower and plant gift service
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Hidetsugu Shibata, a member of the Japanese comedy duo Untouchable, made a surprising _____ on television.
Shibata said, "I really _____ him," while speaking on the show.
The comment was made on the TOKYO MX _____ "Ee Janaika!!"
Other guests on the show included Mari Yaguchi and Minami Takahashi, two well-known Japanese _____.
Yaguchi was formerly a member of the popular idol group Morning Musume. Takahashi was previously a _____ of the idol group AKB48.
During the same broadcast, the show also introduced a service called "Flower and Green e-Gift." This is an online _____ that allows people to send flowers and plants as gifts.
Untouchable is a well-known comedy duo in Japan. Shibata often appears on _____, a popular type of Japanese television program.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think comedians sometimes talk openly about disliking someone on TV?
- Do you think honesty on TV shows makes them more interesting? Why or why not?
- Have you ever heard of flower and plant gift services in your country?
- What do you think makes variety shows popular in Japan?