TV personality Monta Mino will leave NTV’s “Omoikkiri TV’ after 20 years.
PHOTO BY TARO FUJIMOTO

Appearance fees for celebs cut amid economic downturn

The recent economic downturn is hitting not only ordinary working people but also stars in the showbiz industry. Many famous TV personalities and comedians now have to drop their appearance fee.

TV personality Monta Mino will leave NTV’s “Omoikkiri TV” at the end of March after 20 years. One showbiz insider says, “Monta Mino is lucky because he still has his daily morning infotainment program on TBS, ‘Asazuba.’ His weekly salary is 5 million yen. On the other hand, freelance announcer Akira Fukuzawa will be leaving a TBS infotainment program soon, but he will have a tough time finding new programs that will pay him what he was getting.”

The abolition of appearance fees is one of the biggest issues for every TV station. An employee of a Tokyo-based TV station says, “In the past, we couldn’t lower a celebrity’s appearance fee once we increased it, which was common sense. But now, producers have started offering ‘discounts.’ If a celebrity or agent refuses the offer, producers will just seek a replacement. There are plenty around. That is also going to be the case with big stars.”

A TV producer says, “A few years ago, we used to pay at least 30,000 yen even to unknown talent. But now, we pay just 10,000 yen to two celebrities for a couple of three-hour jobs. Many of them, especially younger ones, want to appear on TV even if they are not paid.”

TV drama production is much more costly than variety programs. One episode costs at least 40 million yen. In such tough economic times, actors and actresses have to accept reduced or no appearance fees for a network to stay in the black.

One TV drama producer says, “This year, lots of actresses have taken 30-40% cuts in their appearance fees. I heard that even the No.1 actress, Yukie Nakama, is not an exception. But she is still a lucky person because her drama ‘Gokusen’ is going to made into a film, for which she will get paid big money.”

Analysts say that the celebrities who do best in a recession are those who have good popularity ratings among sponsors.

Gossip reporter Toshio Ishikawa says, “The TV industry is now suffering from decreasing ad revenue. TV producers will definitely favor stars who are acceptable for sponsors. I think actress Aoi Miyazaki of NHK’s drama ‘Atsuhime’ and Ryoko Hirosue of the Oscar-winning film ‘Okuribito’ (Departures) would be ideal. Their career in NHK dramas and Oscar are their strength.” (Translated by Taro Fujimoto)

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Latest 15 of 27 Total Comments Show All

Samuraiiki at 08:16 AM JST - 18th March

This is what I noticed in those morning news shows: WAN PATAN. All 3 have the same format of reading underlined news from several newspapers. As for the J-crossdressers, I believe many do it because their true feelings of wanting to be women are coming out. Believe me Japan is geared for many of these types to the point that it might surpass Thailand and Philippines combined together in the number of cases.
depasio at 08:21 AM JST - 18th March

so it sounds like monta quit before they decreased his salary, smart move. Thats great though , you can get paid for talking about whats in the news and moving a peice of paper, nice!!!
bcbrownboy at 08:38 AM JST - 18th March

This could be the best news all year - there is not ONE "talent" that should be retained. Ax 'em all, and get some real shows. I can't stand to watch any of the t.v. shows in Japan, but the wife n kid have these screamers on all day and night. Oh save me.
DeepAir65 at 09:29 AM JST - 18th March

every cloud has a silver lining
Mark_McCracken at 12:06 PM JST - 18th March

"Monta Mina's not the worst, but 5m a week? That's a ridiculous amount of money for what he does."

That's about 2.6 million US dollars per year. Comparing that to Matt Lauer who has a similar gig at the Today show in the US, and a $13.5 million salary, Monta Mina's salary doesn't seem excessive.
Himajin at 04:21 PM JST - 18th March

But then again in another 8 years I suppose I could bleach my hair piss yellow and throw on a velvet red dress and talk about the happy painter.

LOL! Really! I just startled the poor cat out of his afternoon nap!
meanmutha at 04:26 PM JST - 18th March

"Many of them, especially younger ones, want to appear on TV even if they are not paid.” that pretty much sums up the Japanese...always looking for approval.
GW at 12:37 PM JST - 19th March

as others have said of these twits on tv get paid a monthly salary by their production companies, a few some how were able to setup their own companies i think mino is one of them, these guys have a small army behind them so keep in mind they have to pay for assitants of various sorts.

In the end its clearly about as deadend for most as just being a salaryman
meanmutha at 01:09 PM JST - 19th March

brilliant GW... I feel better. I thought I was the only one who felt that way....
larguero at 02:05 PM JST - 19th March

Mino's salary is not high, come on. A daily program, 10,000 dolars per program is not a high salary for one of the most famous persons in Japanese TV. What do you think is the salary of, say, Larry King? or to say something only seen in the US, Saturday Night Live?
unscrejects at 10:44 PM JST - 19th March

they are not dumb to sign these contracts. The contracts are switched and there's no help available.. Gangsters come calling, push you into traffic, cause and accident for you and get the contract canned for bringing shame to the media company.... I'd study the facts before I post naive comments:-
Beelzebub at 09:10 AM JST - 20th March

Wait until 2011, when the networks are presented with an enormous bill for the equipment to digitalize their broadcasts. They'll be so broke all they'll be able to afford to show are old Mito Komon reruns and amateur singing competitions. And Mino Monta. Japan could never make it without a daily dose of the Cheshire Kitty himself.
Yuki_51 at 04:14 PM JST - 22nd March

"Ryoko Hirosue of the Oscar-winning film ‘Okuribito’" ...

Yeah, just about everyone in the film carted off a justly deserved award, except Ryoko. As usual, she overacted to the hilt, and didn't deserve one. Her appearance fees should definitely be discounted.
shanabelle at 11:27 PM JST - 24th March

Mino Monta is someone who does not need to work. He inherited a massive fortune from his father's business. His stint on television has never been about the money. Call it a glamorous hobby if you like. Leaving one of his shows after a 20 yer stint is in no way a problem for this guy! I didn't like him much but his morning (slurry Monta beer for brekky) show isn't too bad!!!
tigerguy at 11:11 PM JST - 3rd April

Like it should be. i can understand them paying them for their brains but definitely not their looks. Think of all the people losing their jobs.