Arida from “Cream” Ecstatic as Ueda and Matsuko React to Agency President’s Influence

Freelance announcer Yumiko Udo (55) will serve as the main anchor for “Udo Times,” which will start airing on October 6 on TV Asahi. 

 

“The concept aims to be a completely new and creative news and information program that hosts viewers on Sunday nights. Regular commentators include Chijiiwa Morioki, who is the political bureau chief at the station. Occasionally, the very popular Toru Tamagawa, who appears on ‘Hatori Shinichi Morning Show,’ will also join. 

The weather segment will feature weather forecaster Nobukazu Kataoka, who appears on the ‘Morning Show,’ as well as well-known announcers like Maya Nori and Mitsuki Takekuma, who are recognized from morning wide shows” (Wide Na show staff).

 

The president of the office to which Arikawa belongs is a “strong-armed” person.

The station is reportedly putting all its efforts into backing Udo. For the first episode, Udo will team up for the first time with director Takahide Tomoyose, known as “Nas D.” They will cover the “Grand Circle,” a group of national parks in the Midwestern United States.

Speaking of Udo, she recently stepped down from Nippon TV’s “news zero” to expand her possibilities and started as the MC for her first music program, “with MUSIC,” which airs on Nippon TV starting in April 2024. Each episode features glamorous guests, generating buzz, but viewer feedback has been lukewarm, and the ratings have been struggling to climb. 

“It’s rumored that the president of her talent agency, Natural Eight, and executives at TV Asahi have taken action” (staff member).

Natural Eight was established in 2009 by a woman who had been managing the comedy duo “Kuraimu Shichuu.” That same year, they scouted Matsuko Deluxe, who was looking for an agency. Udo, who had a close relationship with Matsuko, had also been consulting about joining the agency since her NHK days.

“Previously, Ueda Shinya and Arita Teppei of ‘Kuraimu’ hosted ‘All Night Nippon’ (Nippon Broadcasting), where the president had a segment, and they garnered laughs from her mistakes and slip-ups. She was treated as a popular character due to her seemingly airheaded episodes, but she is known for her considerable strength in negotiating directly with top executives.

For instance, before joining the agency, Matsuko had to drop out of several programs due to scheduling issues, leaving her with only a regular spot on TOKYO MX’s ‘Gojini Muchuu!’ at one point. However, after joining the agency in 2009, the president adeptly navigated the situation, negotiating directly with executives at various networks to secure numerous regular shows.”

“I am not where I am now.”

It’s a well-known story that Matsuko once said in a 2015 radio program, “If I hadn’t met the president of my talent agency, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

“Now, with Ueda, Matsuko, and Udo, the three MCs have gained significant influence in the television industry. Thanks to the female president, known as the ‘vanguard leader,’ the agency has a reliable, small team of staff members who communicate effectively. Other agencies are envious of this setup.”

 

In terms of other affiliated talents, the only ones are the comedy duo “Eight Bridge” and film personality Kotobuki Tsukasa. Regarding the agency situation,

Arita, who appeared as a substitute on “Udo no Radio” (Nippon Broadcasting) on September 13, said,

“The momentum of Matsuko and Udo is so strong that it feels like they’ve taken over.”

On the same day, Arita, who stepped in as a pinch hitter due to Udo’s throat issues, made a self-deprecating joke, saying, ‘Basically, it’s just that I’m in the same agency as Udo,’ and got a laugh.”

 

 Yumiko Udo throws the ceremonial first pitch.

Udo appeared at the ceremonial first pitch before the Hanshin-Tokyo Yakult game (Koshien) on September 16, just three days later. A self-proclaimed Tigers fan, she successfully took the mound for the second time at Koshien.

“During her first ceremonial pitch debut in June 2022 at the Hanshin-Nippon Ham game, she said, ‘This will be my first and last time.’ However, this time, the event was broadcast live by Mainichi Broadcasting (TV Asahi), which might have been orchestrated by the president for ‘Udo Times.’ The new show is not only a stage that Udo excels at, but also has strong backing from TV Asahi, ensuring its success,” said a producer of an information program.

With Udo’s influence growing this strong, as Arita mentioned, there’s a possibility that she might “naturally” take over the agency.