“Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru!” Dominates Conversations as Television Industry Insiders Flock to Watch, Leaving Few Unaffected by its Impact

The fifth episode of the drama “Futekisetsu ni mo Hodo ga Aru!” (TBS) starring Sadao Abe (53) recorded an average household viewership rating of 8.3%, marking the highest rating for the program. Even the free catch-up streaming of the first episode has surpassed 4 million views, monopolizing the discussion of winter dramas.

“Before the broadcast, it wasn’t particularly attracting attention, with comments like ‘mixing the Showa boom with trendy time-leap themes.’ However, once it started airing, it quickly became a topic of conversation for its depiction of empathy and lessons in the television industry. The industry viewership ratings are high, with few television industry insiders not watching,” commented the director from the production company.

In the third episode, there was a scene where the producer of the information program played by Koichi Yamamoto (47) gave negative feedback on every comment and direction made by the MC, due to being overly bound by compliance. However, the key station producer lamented, “It wasn’t funny at all.”

“Traditional New Year’s programs like the Fukuwarai game were deemed unacceptable, with comments like mocking unattractive appearances. Even the Futari-bakama segment was rejected due to concerns of appearing to mock those with disabilities who have limited hand mobility. Games involving blindfolds like Watermelon Splitting were questioned from the perspective of visually impaired individuals potentially finding them offensive, leading to the decision to include eye illustrations on blindfolds and sunglasses. Even the stuttering of Kiyoshi Yamashita from the Nude Hito series, considered a staple of Showa-era television, now carries broadcasting risks in the Reiwa era.”

Explicit content, a staple of Showa-era television, is now completely prohibited. In the Reiwa era, the television industry has particularly strict regulations regarding lewd content.

“When children appear on a program, even in a different segment, plans involving comedians discussing lewd topics are rejected as a precaution against complaints from parents or guardians of child actors. However, just like the high number of catch-up views for the scandalous love scenes of Mariko Shinoda (37) and Teppei Koike (38) in the drama ‘Rikon Shinai Otoko: Sare Otoko to Waru Yome no Damashi Ai’ (TV Asahi), there is always a demand for explicit content. ‘How to make erotic plans work while clearing compliance?’ is a major challenge of the Reiwa era,” said the aforementioned director from the production company.

The increase in restrictions is related to the spread of social media. “We are particularly careful about catering to fans,” says the aforementioned producer.

“Let’s say we plan a game involving idols or popular actors. If the losing side receives a penalty, complaints are directed towards the station, saying it’s pitiful. To prevent backlash, cooperative games involving everyone were devised. If the team wins, everyone gets to enjoy sweets as a reward, and even if they lose, they all participate in a heartwarming penalty together. It’s a last resort.”

Is there no merit in strengthening compliance? A veteran broadcast writer points out, “The working environment has improved.”

“Harassment was rampant in the television industry. During drinking parties, male junior staff were unnecessarily forced to strip naked. It became a topic when Yoshimasa Iwahashi (45) from the former comedy duo ‘Plus/Minus’ accused the president of the production company of making him eat dog food and spicy powder. Regardless of whether his story is true or not, in the past television industry, it wouldn’t have been surprising if it had happened.”

The ″inappropriateness of it all″ should be kept to staging only.

From the March 22 , 2024 issue of FRIDAY