Yasuko’s Agency Pursues Non-Comedy Opportunity on Popular NTV Variety Show

More than a month has passed since the “Fuwa-chan Incident,” but there are still no signs of it calming down.

 

The controversy began when talent Fuwa-chan (30) made defamatory remarks about comedian Yasuko (26) on her social media. It was thought that the issue would be resolved when Fuwa-chan announced a hiatus, but at the end of August, “NEWS Post Seven” reported that Kano (35) from the comedy duo A Masso was allegedly pulling the strings behind the scenes.

 

Subsequently, on September 7, the special program “Ariyoshi’s Summer Vacation 2024” (Fuji TV) announced on its official website that it would edit Fuwa-chan’s segments due to her inappropriate posts. The decision to cut her scenes entirely further fueled the ongoing fallout from the incident. 

The incident has also affected Yasuko, who is supposed to be the victim in this situation.

On the other hand, the fallout from the incident has cast a shadow over the victim, Yasuko. A producer from a major network commented, “It’s difficult to shake off the victim image that has been attached to her.”

“The charity marathon for ’24-Hour Television’ (Nippon TV) was a great success, but I believe Yasuko is at a turning point in her career as a comedian. The offer for her to run came from Nippon TV around Golden Week, and since late June, she has been focused on marathon training, leaving little room for her comedy activities. Moreover, with the incident escalating so much, it’s hard for producers and fellow comedians to address it in a humorous way. This will inevitably impose certain restrictions on her appearances and how she is presented in shows.”

 

The industry holds a high regard for Yasuko, particularly appreciating her “unexpected side.”.

Naturally, her agency is struggling with how to market her. A representative expressed their concerns:

“Continuing the same comedic style will eventually lead to fatigue, as the cycle of new faces emerging is a constant in the entertainment industry. In this regard, Yasuko’s lack of results in comedy competitions is a weak point. However, adopting a more cultural persona doesn’t suit her character, so it’s uncertain how we should position her moving forward.”

 

In the wake of the controversy, Yasuko is facing a significant turning point in her career as a comedian. She has turned to Nippon TV, with whom she developed a closer relationship during “24-Hour Television.” A network insider revealed:

“Given her contributions and the buzz surrounding her, Nippon TV has prioritized offering her opportunities. In the future, we can expect to see her more on variety shows like ‘Gyoretsu no Dekiru Soudanjo,’ ‘Shabekuri 007,’ and ‘Ariyoshi Seminar.’

Meanwhile, her agency has made a ‘reverse offer’ to the producers of ‘Sekai no Hate made Itte Q,’ suggesting they consider using Yasuko. She may be looking to carve out a niche similar to Ayako Imoto, who is known for her physical comedy. This direction seems promising. Since July, Yasuko has been a regular on ‘Hirunan Desu’ and has been working as a reporter in street segments, receiving positive feedback. Her involvement in physically demanding work aligns well with her hardworking image, and if she continues in this role, she could rapidly rise to popularity.”

Yasuko is making efforts to explore new territories in her career. Will she be able to shine on this new stage?