Johnson Stumbles as Viewer Participation Program Boom Changes Cast

The “FNS 27-Hour TV: Japan’s Most Fun School Festival!” (Fuji TV) wrapped up to high praise, highlighting the growing trend of viewer participation programs.

“This surge can be seen as a reaction to the prolonged suspension of large-scale shoots during the pandemic. Another major factor is the increasing cooperation from private high schools facing financial difficulties due to declining birth rates and rising costs. School-themed programs are important for boosting core ratings (13-49 age group), so there’s a strong emphasis on these shows,” says a producer from a major network.

Following the success of “School Hide and Seek” on “New Key” (Fuji TV), the newly revamped “Oha Star” (TV Tokyo) has introduced “Puzzle Kingdom,” a new segment set in elementary schools created by puzzle creator Ryogo Matsumaru (28).

Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting has been airing the viewer participation special “New Genius Quiz,” an upgraded version of the long-running show “Genius Quiz,” which aired from 1967 to 2004.

“The greatest appeal of these shows is the unexpected incidents caused by viewers who aren’t used to being on TV. When celebrities are the participants, both their answers and their conversations are often predictable. Many viewers are not fond of the ‘insider jokes’ among celebrities,” says a director from a production company.

However, there are also drawbacks to using ordinary viewers. “One major issue is that anything can be exposed on social media almost immediately, so poor staging is not an option,” notes a television writer.

“While scripted scenarios are out of the question, simply posting ‘I didn’t say that with that intention’ can lead to backlash. There have been cases where, after filming, participants have asked to be cut from the show, causing confusion on set.”

 

Just Dragging On

The importance of selecting staff and talent suited for viewer participation programs is highlighted by this television writer.

“Akane-chan, the famous director of ‘Human Gourmet Omoumai Shop’ (Nippon TV), is excellent at getting close to the shop owners and their families, so much so that they cry tears of joy upon reunion. This depth adds richness to the VTR. There is a growing demand for talent who can interact with ordinary people without creating barriers, like ‘Hanako’ who gained popularity on ’27-Hour TV’ or ‘Robert’ Ryuuji Akiyama (46) from ‘Akiyama’s Location Map’ (TV Tokyo),” the writer says.

On the other hand, ‘Johnson’ (TBS) is said to have flopped partly because its viewer participation segment did not resonate well.

“The ‘Mount Fuji Tug-of-War with 500 People’ broadcast in April was a large-scale project. However, the broadcast stretched over two hours without generating much drama, appearing just drawn-out. The cast of ‘Johnson,’ like ‘Kamaitachi’ and ‘New York,’ excels in sharp humor but isn’t known for connecting with ordinary people. I think that’s why it didn’t work. In contrast, Soshina (31) from ‘Shimo-Furi Myojo,’ known for his sharp tongue, adjusts his approach when interacting with ordinary people, focusing on highlighting his co-stars. He demonstrates a high level of skill,” adds the production company director.

With the rise of viewer participation programs, we may see a complete overhaul of the cast on terrestrial television.

 

From the September 6-13, 2024 issue of ‘FRIDAY’.