Fans Eager for Revival of ‘UchiP’

It has been revealed that the popular variety show ‘Uchimura Produce,’ which aired from 2000 to 2005 on TV Asahi, will make a one-night-only comeback on September 28, celebrating Teruyoshi Uchimura’s (60) 60th birthday. The special is aptly named ‘Congratulations! Teruyoshi Uchimura 60th Birthday Festival Uchimura Produce Revival SP!!’

According to TV Asahi, the ‘Revival SP!!’ will feature not only the comedians who appeared on the show at the time but also comedians who were viewers of the show. Uchimura has commented:

“I’m looking forward to seeing how rusty everyone’s swords are, including mine, or if they’re still sharp. In any case, I’m excited to reunite with my fun companions and it looks like it will be a great memory for my 60th birthday (laughs).”

As of August 20, the announced participants include only the regular members Teruyoshi Uchimura, the comedy duo ‘Samaazu,’ and Ryo Fukawa (50). Amidst this, Hiroiki Ariyoshi (50) has recently drawn attention.

Ariyoshi is a prominent and respected talent with his own shows on both NHK and commercial networks. However, according to a television writer, “Ariyoshi has a significant debt of gratitude to Uchimura Produce.”

“It is well-known that Ariyoshi’s resurgence was triggered by his ‘sharp-tongued nickname comedy.’ The episode from 2007 on ‘Ameto-ki!’ (TV Asahi) where he coined the nickname ‘Chatty Piece of Shit’ for Hiroshi Shinagawa (52) of ‘Shinagawa Shoji’ is famous and has become a legendary moment in variety show history, often referred to as the ‘Chatty Piece of Shit Incident.’ However, before this, Ariyoshi had already achieved a small breakthrough on Uchimura Produce.”

Ariyoshi initially appeared on ‘Uchimura Produce’ as part of the comedy duo ‘Saru Iwasaki.’ He became a public figure in 1996 with the ‘Eurasian Continent Hitchhike’ segment on ‘Susume!! Denpa Shonen’ (NTV). By the early 2000s, he was in a state of “where are they now?” The duo disbanded in 2004, but Ariyoshi continued to appear on the show.

“On ‘Uchimura Produce,’ Ariyoshi gained popularity with his ‘Cat Baron’ character. In a skit where he visited comedians’ homes, he would dress as a character from the musical ‘CATS’ by the Shiki Theatre Company and sneak into the guest’s bathroom, emerging covered in bubbles and running around the house. Ariyoshi also performed physically demanding stunts on the show, such as eating dirt and going naked. While Ariyoshi is now in a position of teasing younger comedians, on ‘Uchimura Produce’ he was in the opposite role, being teased and playing the dirty role (as described by the source).”

At that time, Ariyoshi had very little work and was living off his savings from his peak years. ‘Uchimura Produce’ was one of the few programs that took notice of the “washed-up comedian” Ariyoshi.

 

Hiroiki Ariyoshi married Miku Natsume (40), a former announcer from NTV, and they were blessed with children. Perhaps because he has built a happy family with his beautiful wife, many comedy fans lament “He no longer has the edge he once had.” Consequently, there is a surge of voices online expressing a desire for him to appear on ‘Uchimura Produce.’

“Definitely would like to see Ariyoshi on the show. The period when he was on this show was when I found him the most interesting. Now he’s become a big name and is playing it safe, but back then he had a raw, fearless comedy.”

“I’d love to see Ariyoshi in his ‘Cats’ costume again.”

“This calls for Ariyoshi to revive his Cat Baron character.”

During his struggling days, Ariyoshi was supported by the comedy trio ‘Dachou Club,’ who fed him well. In return, he made a guest appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen to support them. Additionally, he appeared as a guest on the first episode of ‘Azatokute Nani ga Warui no?’ (TV Asahi), hosted by Ryota Yamasato (47) of ‘Nankai Candies,’ as a way to repay the support he received when he was on a program in Osaka. Ariyoshi is known for his strong sense of obligation.

On September 28, anticipation is building among fans for a possible surprise appearance by the Cat Baron.