The Golden Combo on Amazon Prime Reveals Shocking Mastermind: NTV and TV Asahi Producer

A Sense of Something Being Born Felt at the Izakaya

The Amazon Prime Video variety show “THE Golden Combo” has generated buzz, where popular comedians form original duos and challenge luxurious guests with improvised skits. One variety show producer remarked, “The money spent on this is different. It’s something you can’t do on current TV.”

The masterminds behind this hit show are former TV station employees Taro Ashida and Kazuaki Hashimoto. Ashida, a director and producer at TV Asahi, created shows like “What Is He Doing Now?” while Hashimoto, a popular producer at Nippon Television, worked on “Ariyoshi’s Wall”.

In 2022, as the pandemic subsided, Ashida and Hashimoto were drinking at an izakaya in Shimbashi when they learned that both had left their respective networks. That moment sparked the idea that they could now work together, leading to the creation of “THE Golden Combo” after nearly two years of planning.

The show was produced with a strong team of staff from the forefront of television, with the intention of making a grand debut. However, some viewers feel underwhelmed. A former television writer commented, “As someone who grew up with the golden combo of Matsumoto Hitoshi and Uchiyama Hikaru, I didn’t feel the same level of impact. I wanted more excitement.”

This sentiment stems from the iconic moment in 2009 when Matsumoto and Uchiyama performed a skit together during “The Dream Match” on TBS, which left a lasting impression on TV professionals. Another writer shared, “I’ve heard from many that no golden combo can surpass Matsumoto and Uchiyama.”

While the show is hosted by “Chidori” and features many popular comedians, the legacy of Matsumoto and Uchiyama’s golden duo may have set too high expectations, leading some viewers to feel disappointed.

A former television writer noted, “Unlike other hit streaming content like Hitoshi Matsumoto Presents Documental and Talk Survivor!, The Golden Combo lacks an added layer of complexity.”

Indeed, Documental blended comedy with documentary elements, while Talk Survivor! added a mix of comedy with movies and drama—elements that go beyond traditional comedy. In contrast, THE Golden Combo primarily combines comedy with skit settings and celebrity collaborations, staying closer to the comedic realm.

However, The Golden Combo is not a content to be written off just yet. If the show can find a unique twist or setting beyond traditional comedy, it may evolve into a legendary variety program.