Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Retirement Rumors and TV Show Concerns

A staff member at the program production company recalls.

Last spring, Matsumoto-san said on “Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Sake no Tsumami ni Naru Hanashi” (“Hitoshi Matsumoto’s Sake no Tsumami ni Naru Hanashi”), “It’s not that long until I retire from show business. He specifically suggested that he would retire in two years at the earliest, five years at the latest. Soon after, in the same program, he said he was still thinking about retirement, “I am thinking about it. I have several reasons. However, he had already been talking about retirement to his closest associates for about five or six years.

In “Wide Nah Show,” which he left last spring, Matsumoto repeatedly expressed his displeasure at the fact that articles were published that cut out parts of what he said in the program. His motivation and stress continued to be over the limit. However, the situation did not change at all, and in the fall of the year before last, he tweeted meaningfully in his X, “I guess Kiritori articles will never go away…. It’s about time.

Matsumoto has been thinking about retirement for some time. Among them, there was one program in particular that Matsumoto told those around him that it would be tough for him to appear on. A source in the entertainment industry revealed, “Matsumoto-san is the toughest person to appear on the show.

The regular program that Matsumoto said was the toughest for him to appear on was “Downtown DX” (Nippon Television Network). The other programs were not stressful programs, as there were always appearances by junior comedians and TV personalities with whom he had close relationships. However, “Downtown DX” had many first-time guests and others from various genres, which seemed to cause stress and frustration because they had to pay more attention than necessary and could not do what they wanted to do as they wanted. For several years, he was constantly complaining to those close to him.

In addition, compliance in the TV industry is becoming increasingly strict. Combined with the fact that Matsumoto has revolutionized the comedy industry, it must have been a suffocating and stressful time for him year after year. Even if he were to retire, he would have no regrets. I am sure that even if he were to retire at this point, he would have no regrets.

Will the charismatic figure who has reigned at the top of the entertainment world for so long just fade away from the stage?

FRIDAY Digital welcomes your information and tip-offs. Please send your information to the following information form or to the official X.

Information form: https://friday.kodansha.co.jp/tips
Official twitter: https://X.com/FRIDAY_twit