Nutobar? Concerns and Whispers about the Limitations of Hiroshi Sekiguchi’s “Gaffes” in “Sun Moni” Accelerate.
Hiroshi Sekiguchi, 79, the MC of “Sunday Morning” (TBS, hereafter “Sun Moni”), has been making “gaffes” non-stop.
For some time now, he has been the focus of attention for his weekly comments and behavior that are too freewheeling.
On the broadcast of the 15th, he said of Lars Nutber (25) of the Cardinals, who has been selected for the WBC’s Samurai Japan tournament, “Someone I don’t know very well has been chosen. When Lars Nutber’s record for last season was introduced: .228 batting average, 14 home runs, and 40 runs batted in, he seemed unconvinced, saying, “I’m sorry, but with this record, why was he chosen for the Samurai Japan team? In response to this, a flood of criticism poured in on SNS, such as, “You are an MC, so you should do a little preparation,” and “Don’t simply put together the results of the big leagues and Japan’s results.
(Sports newspaper reporter) There was also this kind of gaffe. (Sports newspaper reporter) “Furthermore, there were such gaffes as these.
In his first appearance on the program, he tried to skip a VTR introducing Japan’s national soccer team coach, Hajime Moriyasu, and was blackmailed by commentator Koji Uehara. (Broadcast on December 25).
Seiichi Uchikawa, who retired from the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and has suggested continuing his career outside of the NPB, appeared on the program. Sekiguchi asked him, “What was the reason for your retirement? asked. Commentator Hiroki Makihara hurriedly replied, “No, I haven’t decided to retire yet. I may still do it,” but Sekiguchi’s mouth was agape as he replied, “I heard you were retiring. (November 13 broadcast)
Nobuhiko Matsunaka, a former Softbank player, took time to give a detailed explanation of Yakult player Munetaka Murakami’s batting, but he spoiled it all by saying, ” Amateurs don’t really understand. (Broadcast on September 25)
(broadcast on September 25). He said, “I haven’t heard much about Rui Yamura, who plays in the NBA,” and “I guess he’ s not doing well, ” even though his season had ended about a month before the program aired . (Broadcast May 15)
He asked former professional baseball players Masaki Saito and Koji Uehara, “Is it an honor to be the opening day pitcher?” to which the two replied, “Of course. When Masaki Saito and Koji Uehara answered, ” Of course it is,” he responded with a curt “Oh, I see,” which drew criticism from pro-baseball fans. (Broadcast on March 13)
When asked about Miho Takagi, who won the gold medal in the 1000m speed skating event at the Beijing Olympics, “What’s so great about this person? Despite Mr. Okazaki’s careful explanation, she mumbled, “I don’t really understand,” to which Mr. Okazaki replied, “Please listen to me. Okazaki laughed and said indignantly, ” Please listen to me properly,” but he reiterated, “I don’ t understand it even if I did listen to you. (Aired February 20, 2011)
This is only a small part of the story. The program used to boast high ratings and was one of TBS’s signature programs, but by November of last year it had dropped to single digits with a household rating of 9.0%. This is the reason why there are rumors that the program may be terminated.
However, his too free-spirited comments were often taken as “not like an MC” or “disrespectful to the guests. In addition, commentator Isao Choumoto, who had many gaffes, graduated from the program the year before last, and his “gaffes” have become even more conspicuous. I don’t think that aging or health problems are the cause for the blurring of his comments…However, there are noticeable rough edges in the program’s proceedings, so it is inevitable that there are whispers that he is reaching his limits.
I hope to see Sekiguchi in good health on Sunday mornings. However, for that reason, I would like to ask him to moderate his “gaffes”…
