How Ariyoshi’s Wall Propelled Comedians to Success Despite Special Circumstances

Popular comedians gathered in a shopping arcade in Tokyo early in the morning. In the entertainment industry, which has been in upheaval due to the absence of King Matsumoto Hitoshi (60), the presence of that comedian who judges them is becoming more and more significant.

In early April, a comedy variety show “Ariyoshi’s Wall” (Nippon Television Network Corporation) was filming on location in this shopping arcade.

The recording started around 9:30 in the morning, but the performers arrived at the site around 8:00 and seemed to be making careful preparations. During the preparation, the performers were chatting with fellow comedians and staff members, and the shooting was conducted in a friendly mood. Perhaps because the filming took place in a shopping district, there were many passersby who stopped to watch the filming.

Speaking of “Ariyoshi’s Wall,” it is Nippon TV’s signature program that has been on the air for 9 years including the special program era. Young comedians, known as “wall comedians,” perform a trick that matches a theme, and Hiroyuki Ariyoshi (49) judges them on a scale of “X” or “Y.” “Ariyoshi’s Wall” is recorded in a way that is both entertaining and entertaining,” said a witness at the recording site.

The recording time for “Ariyoshi’s Wall” is extremely long and there are many performers. Unlike in the studio, the program is carried out on the move, so the staff has to move quickly and is very tense. On the other hand, the performers approach the recording in a calm atmosphere. Perhaps because of this mood, many comedians have gotten their breakthroughs and re-breaks from the show, and many have continued to appear on “Ariyoshi’s Wall” even after they have become successful,” said a source close to Nippon TV.

In fact, “Anyway, Yasumura” (42) and “Moumou Chugakusei” (41) were brought back into the limelight by the show, and “Chocolate Planet” created the character “TT Brothers” to enhance their status.

TV columnist Tamami Hiyama explains why comedians from the show have made their breakthrough one after another and why they continue to appear on the show even after they have become popular.

Tamami Hiyama, a TV columnist, explains: “Downtown and Mr. Matsumoto’s shows had a sense of tension where junior comedians could never misbehave. Everyone wanted to be recognized by Mr. Matsumoto, but at the same time, there was an atmosphere of fear. On the other hand, in Ariyoshi’s program, there was no atmosphere of fear among the junior comedians, and they were free to do whatever they wanted. In the program, Mr. Ariyoshi makes judgments, but even in the case of “X,” he teases them in a funny way. That is probably why the comedians can enjoy the recording.

Mr. Hiyama also noted the difference between Ariyoshi and Matsumoto.

Perhaps because Matsumoto-san is confident that he is the funniest, I don’t feel that he has much interest in nurturing his younger colleagues. In fact, there is no comedian that he has nurtured. Even when “Cocorico” and Kotomasa Tsukitei (56) co-star in a program, Matsumoto does not make them look up to him. Mr. Ariyoshi has a history of getting his break again with Mitsuyoshi Uchimura’s (59) “Uchimura Produce” when he himself was in decline, so he wants his juniors to be more successful. I think the concept of “Ariyoshi’s Wall” is a manifestation of that.

A Sense for Recognizing a Seller

TV commentator Takashi Kimura analyzes Ariyoshi’s position in the program as follows.

In the 7:00 p.m. broadcast slot for “Ariyoshi’s Wall,” there are many family viewers, and it is difficult for them to accept a program that spits venom. However, when watching the program, one can feel the affection that Ariyoshi has for the performers, which is why the program has continued for so long, even in the prime time slot. Unlike Mr. Matsumoto, who was an authoritative figure, Mr. Ariyoshi is the type who lets his junior performers swim and bring out the best in them. He is not concerned with making himself laugh, but focuses on making the junior comedians on the show interesting.
Even in the TV industry, there is a reputation that Mr. Ariyoshi is easier to use than Mr. Matsumoto. Mr. Matsumoto’s fee is high and it is difficult to convince him to appear in a project. On the other hand, Mr. Ariyoshi is the type of person who does his best while following the plan that is presented to him.

Ariyoshi’s stance of prioritizing the popularity of his juniors over his own has led to the emergence of a successful performer on the show. A Nippon TV representative commented on “Ariyoshi’s Wall.

It is not that being hooked on Ariyoshi will make you a successful comedian. I think that appearing on “Ariyoshi’s Wall” keeps comedians coming up with material, which in turn helps them improve their skills. But behind the scenes, the comedians are motivated by the desire to ‘make Ariyoshi-san laugh. It is an atmosphere that is created because Ariyoshi is adored by his junior comedians.

In addition, Ariyoshi also influences the casting of other programs.

I have the impression that comedians that Ariyoshi praises as interesting, such as ‘Panther’ and ‘Sisonne,’ sell well. Variety show staff pay attention to comedians that Ariyoshi praises in ‘Ariyoshi’s Wall,’ and this is reflected in their casting” (staff member of a production company).

Nowadays, being recognized by Ariyoshi has become a status among young comedians. This atmosphere is evident on the set of the show.

The performers looked happy even when the cameras were not rolling. Chokopura” and “Sisonne” were posing as yankees, and Shiori Sato (33) was excitedly taking pictures of them with her smartphone, which Ariyoshi watched with a laugh. The concept of the program is embodied even during the breaks,” said a staff member who participated in the recording.

Giving junior members a chance. The love that comes from Ariyoshi, who has experienced hardship in the past, was a factor in bringing popular comedians together.

From the May 3, 2024 issue of FRIDAY