Speedwagon’s Ozawa’s Sanma Show Appearance Depends on Matsumoto

Ozawa’s comeback show.

It has been almost a month since the lawsuit in which Matsumoto, from the comedy duo “Downtown,” sought damages from the publisher Bungei Shunju over an article about his alleged sexual coercion of women was settled after Matsumoto withdrew his claim.

During this time, various speculative articles about Matsumoto’s return to television have been published, but even more than Matsumoto, Kazutaka Ozawa of the comedy duo “Speedwagon” (51) is said to have a harder time making a comeback. In late November, SMART FLASH (published November 27) directly approached Ozawa. When asked about his return, Ozawa didn’t respond. Based on his messy blond hair and unkempt beard, it seems highly unlikely that a return is in sight.

“Among the so-called attending comedians, Kenji Tamura (51) and Jun Kurose (49) of ‘Punk Boo Boo’ were also mentioned, but Tamura is currently focused on running a yakiniku restaurant. Kurose has smoothly returned to a TV show in his hometown of Fukuoka. However, Ozawa’s regular show in his hometown of Aichi ended in September. We haven’t heard any specific discussions about his return” (information program staff).

What’s more, always concerned about Ozawa’s situation and willing to help with his comeback, is Akashiya Sanma (69).

“I heard that Sanma said he would help Ozawa with his return. It’s said that Ozawa’s comeback is likely to happen on ‘Sanma’s Comedy Improvement Committee’ (Fuji TV)” (wide show staff).

Speaking of Sanma, on the October 12 broadcast of Young Town Saturday (MBS Radio), he said,

“I realized something. I was carrying too much of Yoshimoto on my back. I’m going to stop carrying Yoshimoto. It’s not my business.”

“I’m tired because someone I liked got fired.”

Although he made statements suggesting he would stop helping comedians with their comebacks, that was not his true intention.

 

Sanma and Ozawa are mahjong buddies.

Sanma’s mention of someone I like and fired refers to Yoshimatsu Iwahashi (46) of “Plus Minus,” who had his contract terminated by Yoshimoto Kogyo due to inappropriate behavior on social media, and Shinji Saito (42) from “Jungle Pocket,” who was also let go over allegations of sexual assault on a location bus. However, recently, Sanma took Iwahashi golfing, where he expressed a desire to return to comedy and to reunite with his partner. Sanma passed this message along to Iwahashi’s former partner, Takashi Kanemitsu (46), who was a guest on Sanma’s Comedy Improvement Committee on November 30.

Sanma also revealed that Saito had called him tearfully to apologize, and Sanma joked about wanting Saito’s catchphrase, “Haa~i.” It seems that Sanma is gauging the audience’s reaction by testing the waters like this (comedy magazine writer).

Although Ozawa belongs to Horiprocom, a separate division from Horipro, he is still considered one of Sanma’s favorites because they have been long-time mahjong buddies. It’s said that Sanma is Ozawa’s only reliable support. They still occasionally play mahjong together. For Ozawa, it’s not an exaggeration to say that Sanma is his last hope.

“Recently, Weekly Sanma and Matsuko (TBS) featured Horiprocom members Hori (47) and Jun Idoda (51) from Speedwagon. While Ozawa’s name wasn’t mentioned on-air, Sanma strongly supported his agency, Horipro, during the show.

Ozawa is ready for a comeback, but for that to happen, Matsumoto’s return is essential first. Given the current backlash Matsumoto is facing, it seems Sanma is hesitant to mention Ozawa’s name” (previously mentioned writer).

As for Matsumoto, some senior comedians have advised him to hold a press conference.

“I apologize for causing great trouble and concern to many junior comedians.”

How does Matsumoto feel about Ozawa, one of the junior comedians who made this comment?