Hitoshi Matsumoto Leaves TV Stations in Chaos After His Hiatus
On the evening of December 8, Yoshimoto Kogyo announced the suspension of Downtown star Matsumoto Hitoshi (60). The December 27 edition of “Shukan Bunshun” (weekly magazine) reported on Matsumoto’s allegations of forcing multiple women to engage in sexual acts. On the other hand, Matsumoto’s agency has denied everything in the report and is preparing to file a defamation lawsuit against Bunshun. Matsumoto’s intention in suspending his activities this time is said to be Matsumoto’s, and he himself has also made a request to Yoshimoto, saying, “I want to confront the various articles and focus on the trial,” and is truly fighting a thorough battle. The entertainment desk of a sports newspaper explained,
“The TV stations, entertainment agencies, advertising agencies, and other related parties were not notified in advance, and the announcement of the suspension was a complete surprise. The majority of the people involved learned about it for the first time through news bulletins, and everyone from the upper management of the TV stations in particular was in a state of confusion. If they have to start preparations for the trial, it will take at least six months before they can return to work, and it could take two years or more until the case is settled.”
TV stations are most affected by Matsumoto’s suspension. Matsumoto and his partner Masanori Hamada (60) appear on three regular programs: “Wednesday’s Downtown” (TBS), “Downtown DX” (Yomiuri TV production, NTV), and “Downtown no Gaki no Tsukashiya Aahende!” (NTV).
In addition, he has made personal appearances on “Crazy Journey” (TBS), “Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Sake no Tsumami ni Naru Hanashi” (Fuji Television), “Matsumo to Nakai” (Fuji Television), and “Detective! Night Scoop” (ABC Television), and currently has seven regular programs. Despite the chaotic situation, TV stations are already busy dealing with the future.
In the midst of this chaos, the stations are said to have settled on a basic policy.
