King of Conte 2024 Champions Love Letters Share Their Story
The hard-working duo finally became champions for the fifth time!
“Let’s make it last year.” had decided.
“During the commercials before the results were announced, Hamada-san (Masatoshi, 61) teased me, saying, ‘Don’t be a loser. Before the final stage, I remembered what Makoto Ohtake (75), a senior staff member at my office, had said to me: ‘You won’t win anyway, but do your best’ (laughs). So when I won, I was stunned.”
Speaking in unison are Naoki Tsukamoto (39, left), the straight man, and Yutaro Tameguchi (39), the comic of the comedy duo “Love Letters,” who were crowned the 17th champions of “King of Conte 2024.” After grabbing glory in their fifth final, they savored their joy.
Tameguchi: “For 16 years, I’ve walked alongside this tournament. I had decided before the competition that this would be my last year, so I never thought I would actually win.”
Tsukamoto: “I really didn’t think winning was even a possibility. Thanks to my seniors, who helped us relax in a good way, we were able to perform without unnecessary pressure.”
Tameguchi: “Instead, we were able to go in with a carefree attitude (laughs).”
The winning skit features a striking setting where a foreign man with blonde hair picks up a bald woman who is a Jubilo Iwata fan while she ponders by the seaside. The judges gave it a ‘total punchline.’
Tameguchi: “Even if there were mixed opinions, we absolutely wanted to perform two of our own bold skits that we’ve been doing until now.”
Tsukamoto: “Soon, we’ll both be 40. Looking back, we’ve only done edgy material. However, considering our age, we decided to switch to a skit that incorporated a sense of melancholy, focusing on something that only we could do. We wanted to showcase our unique comedy that younger people can’t replicate.”
Tameguchi: “That said, we received so much criticism that it didn’t feel like a winning skit (laughs). Maybe that’s why it didn’t feel real.”
As these two continue to evolve, what ambitions do they aim for next?
Tameguchi: “In addition to the prize money, I want to fund and create a special program mainly featuring our agency’s comedians. I’d like to ask my seniors, the Asagaya Sisters, to be the MC!”
Tsukamoto: “I’ll invest in it too (laughs). If there are any interesting TV stations, please reach out!”
They are about to enter their ‘unwavering phase, yet they will continue to advance on their comedy path without hesitation.
From the November 1 and 8, 2024 issue of FRIDAY
PHOTO： Hiroyuki Komatsu
