Sanma, center, with Aya Takashima, left, and Minako Nakano

Comedian Sanma to host Fuji's 27-hour variety TV program

Friday 27th June, 10:43 AM JST

TOKYO —

Fuji TV on Thursday said comedian Sanma, 52, will host its annual long-hour variety program “27-hour TV” for the first time in 19 years. The program will be aired from July 26. Referring to his ex-wife, actress Shinobu Otake, 50, who will also appear on the program, Sanma said: “I wonder why she accepted this offer. We’ll have a lot to discuss because our daughter will turn 20 soon and my obligation to financially support her will end soon.”

Fuji’s announcers Aya Takashima, 29, and Minako Nakano, 28, will co-host the program.

Latest 15 of 23 Total Comments Show All

sarcasm123 at 01:45 PM JST - 27th June

"juvenile/potty humor"

Or so you have been told, eh, jersey?
papasmurfinjapan at 02:52 PM JST - 27th June

Actually I'm more interested to know if Aya and Minako (two of Fuji's most popular female announcers) are going to be "announcing" for 27hrs as well.

As for sanma, I have no idea what makes him so popular. He is one of the most vile, annoying, unfunny "comedians" I have seen on Japanese tv.
lipscombe at 03:27 PM JST - 27th June

but he has a lovely smile
blvtzpk at 03:55 PM JST - 27th June

Sanma said: “I wonder why she accepted this offer. We’ll have a lot to discuss because our daughter will turn 20 soon and my obligation to financially support her will end soon.”

A particularly strange and mean-spirited comment to make, espcially in the light of the fact this event has charity overtones.
KyouNoNippon at 03:59 PM JST - 27th June

blvtzpk, have you seen him on TV? He's the king of fake. Sometimes the real light has to shine through.
Altria at 04:00 PM JST - 27th June

I think he meant it as a joke, like.
KyouNoNippon at 04:10 PM JST - 27th June

I don't get it :o(
nandakandamanda at 04:42 PM JST - 27th June

KyouNoNippon, Coming-of-Age is at 20 here. I think there is no doubt that he is referring to his daughter. The upkeep he pays for her is probably paid directly to his ex-wife, being her (their daughter's) legal guardian; he probably feels that it is a) too much and that b) she (his wife) is therefore saving some considerable amount of it on the side. By saying he wants to stop payments to his daughter, he is probably trying to shock his ex-wife, I imagine.
KyouNoNippon at 04:59 PM JST - 27th June

Yeah I finally just looked it up. Here is the quote in the Japanese.

「なんで引き受けたんですかねえ。一緒にやりたいことより、話し合いたいことはある。（長女が）１９歳で、（養育費支払い義務が）あと１年なんで」

Why did she take this (offer) up? More than wanting to do this together, I have something I want to discuss with her. Our daughter being 19 and financial support for her finishing in a year.
gogogo at 12:32 AM JST - 28th June

More crap on the tube.
TeruSensei at 02:02 PM JST - 29th June

I have to get me a 24 Hour TV shirt for this year.

The one I got last year is a little bit worn by now.
Zen_Builder at 02:04 PM JST - 29th June

24hr TV is Nippon TV, 27hr is Fuji TV.]

Very different programes.
thepro at 02:52 PM JST - 30th June

My parents cut me off when I turned 18, and I had to start paying them to live in their house. Seems normal to me, unless you're some spoiled rich kid.
DenshaDeGO at 04:04 PM JST - 1st July

I like Sanma but something tells me I'll forget to watch this. Millions more interesting things than TV out there ...
TeruSensei at 04:52 PM JST - 1st July

Oops, thanks for the correction Zen Builder.