Vacuum Jessica Reflects on Ended Solo Program: Felt Unpleasant at Parents’ House
Since 2021, comedy duo Maboroshi Jessica’s Kawakita Shigezumi and Gaku have made it to the finals of the “M-1 Grand Prix” for three consecutive years, leaving a unique impression in variety shows with their strength in ad-lib and impactful use of props. What are their current thoughts and feelings as they continue their activities?
They shared candid reflections on their appearances this year in “Footon-da King Decision Battle 2024” (Chukyo TV / NTV) and “Sanma’s Comedy Improvement Committee” (Fuji TV), as well as their solo program “Jessica Bijutsu-bu” (TV Asahi), which ended after about a year.
Yumeya’s rhythm stuff is like, “You know, you’re so dark, that’s why you’re so good at it!” something like that.
―― In March this year, your solo program “Jessica Bijutsu-bu” ended. Did you feel any sadness at the end of your first solo regular program?
Kawakita: It certainly feels like I let people down since everyone was watching.
Gaku: It ended because no one was watching! (laughs) I’ve never been told in town, “I watch your show.” Of course, it was a program that had monthly recordings guaranteed, so it was sad to see it go.
―― Watching the show, I was surprised to see Kawakita-san communicating with artists and general audience members.
Kawakita: Well, that’s probably why it ended. People were like, “Who’s running this show?” I’m just more outgoing, but it’s not like I can carry a show alone, so it’s only natural that such a program would end.
Gaku: For me, it was like, “Let’s try our best to carry it.” After realizing I couldn’t do it well, I feel like I’ll just do my best within my limits in the future.
―― The planning and composition of the program were handled by former comedian and current TV Asahi employee Yu Suzuki (stage name: Yumeya Masaru).
Gaku: We didn’t have much interaction before the program started, but it seems he submitted the proposal from his end, and I’m really grateful for that.
Kawakita: We filmed at Yumeya’s family home once, and there were family photos and it seemed like a friendly atmosphere. But the more we heard, the more we realized Yumeya isn’t that close to his parents. We filmed in winter, and it turned out the heating was broken, and it seemed like his parents hardly ever came home.
Gaku: Yumeya himself doesn’t seem to go home much either, so he didn’t know the heating was broken.
Kawakita: When I looked closely at the family photos, Yumeya had almost no expression, and it left me feeling really uncomfortable. That day, maybe only the floor heating was on? It got too hot, and everyone started feeling nauseous.
Gaku: There was absolutely no warmth from his family home (wry smile).
Kawakita: When I was told, “You can use the green room,” and went to Yumeya’s room, there were shelves full of dark and gloomy manga books like those from the Garo genre (underground manga published in Garo magazine by Seirinsha). It made me think, “Was the ‘I want to eat pancakes’ rhythm act dark because of this?”
Gaku: It was really hard to relax there. At first, I was also worried about the concept of the show. We have no background in art at all, and I thought, “I don’t know anything about art” (wry smile). Of course, we had a lot of fun experiences on the show as well.
The full article discussing complex feelings about appearing with props, stories related to office senior comedian Yuttei, reasons for aiming to win M-1, and more can be read in the paid version of FRIDAY Subscription.
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Interview and text: Asahi Suzuki
Freelance editor/writer. Former band member, former broadcaster. Loves all kinds of entertainment. Published "Shimura Ken Theory" (Asahi Shinbun Publishing) in April 2021. Currently updating his personal website, "Immortal Writing Blues. http://s-akira.jp/
PHOTO: Sugizo