Comedian Shibata Says He "Really Disliked" Fellow Comedian on TV Show
Listen to the story
Hidetsugu Shibata, one half of the Japanese comedy duo Untouchable, made a candid remark during a recent television appearance, saying he "really disliked" a fellow comedian who began his career in the industry at nearly the same time as him.
The comment was made during an appearance on the TOKYO MX program "Ee Janaika!!," a variety show known for its unscripted, conversational style. Shibata did not elaborate further on the reasons behind his remark, at least according to the available report.
Also appearing on the program were Mari Yaguchi, a former member of the idol group Morning Musume, and Minami Takahashi, a former leader of the group AKB48. Both are well-established figures in the Japanese entertainment industry and have appeared on numerous television programs over the years.
In addition to the personal exchange between Shibata and his fellow performer, the broadcast also featured a segment introducing "Flower and Green e-Gift," an online service that allows consumers to send flowers and plants as gifts through digital ordering.
The pairing of a personal, somewhat emotional revelation with a commercial gift-service segment is typical of Japanese variety programming, which often blends light entertainment, celebrity banter, and sponsored content within a single broadcast.
Untouchable, formed by Shibata and his comedy partner, has been a fixture of Japanese television for many years, with Shibata frequently making appearances on talk and variety shows where spontaneous, sometimes blunt, remarks are common and often draw public attention.
No further details were given in the report regarding the identity of the comedian Shibata was referring to, nor about the specific nature of their professional relationship prior to the comment. The report focused primarily on the broadcast itself and its content, rather than providing extended background or context on the individuals involved.
Vocabulary4 words
- comedy duo
- two people who perform comedy shows together
- entertainment industry
- all businesses involved in TV, music, and performance
- consumers
- people who buy or use products and services
- sponsored
- paid for by a company to promote something
Quiz
Answer key
1. That he really disliked him 2. Mari Yaguchi and Minami Takahashi 3. True
Discussion questions
- Why might celebrities choose to reveal personal feelings, such as dislike for a colleague, on live television?
- How does mixing personal revelations with commercial content, like the gift-service segment, affect viewers' perception of a program?
- What role do former idol group members like Yaguchi and Takahashi play in Japanese variety television?
- Do you think audiences find blunt or controversial remarks by celebrities more engaging? Why?