Rumors of Akko ni Omakase! Cancellation Resurface After 40th Anniversary Special

It might be reaching its limit soon

Recently, opportunities to see Akiko Wada (75) on variety shows have increased.

At the end of last year, she appeared on Downtown DX (Nippon TV), then in March this year showed up on Nikenme Dousuru? Tsumami no Hanashi (TV Tokyo). In May, she guested on Sake no Tsumami ni Naru Hanashi (Fuji TV).

What does this increase in appearances mean!?

“There’s actually an unconfirmed rumor circulating in the industry that Akko ni Omakase! (TBS) will be canceled by the end of this year. That’s why her agency might be actively booking her on variety shows — at least, that’s the word among insiders,” says a variety show production staff member.

Rumors about the show’s cancellation have surfaced many times before. The latest came in August last year, when something she said on the show became a trigger. Speaking about Haruka Kitaguchi (27), the Paris Olympics women’s javelin gold medalist, Wada remarked, “It’s like a sea lion lying there — so cute,” which sparked a major controversy.

While some people do find sea lions adorable, describing someone as a sea lion isn’t necessarily complementary. Wada herself may have thought it was a harmless remark, but it’s not considered a standard term of praise, something most adults would acknowledge. That lack of awareness drew public ire.

After facing a flood of criticism online, Wada opened the following week’s episode with an apology: “I think I lacked respect.” Though she’d made questionable remarks in the past, they were usually brushed off as sharp-tongued commentary from a respected veteran.

However, after the sea lion remark, public scrutiny intensified. Even so, Wada’s risky comments didn’t stop. It’s clear more people in the TV industry are starting to feel, “It might be reaching its limit.”

Amidst all this, talk of ending the show this autumn — coinciding with its 40th anniversary — is becoming increasingly realistic. We spoke to a TBS insider.

When she gets scolded, she gets incredibly down

“Right now, the Omakase staff is completely focused on planning the 40th anniversary special. If the cancellation is decided, that information would only trickle down to the production team about one cour (three months) in advance — so it’s hard to say for sure. That said, there are already staff members saying, ‘It wouldn’t be surprising if it gets canceled,’ and it seems they’re mentally preparing for it,” said a TBS insider.

It’s said that while in the past, every time cancellation rumors surfaced, the staff would dismiss them with “We’re fine for now,” this time, a mood of “Maybe it’s about time” is starting to spread.

“After the sea lion remark incident, they’ve brought in lawyers and experts as guests, tightened up pre-show meetings, and taken care to prevent Akko-san from making slip-ups during the live broadcast — but even so, there are more and more moments that feel risky,” the same TBS insider continued.

Even after broadcasts, when lawyers and experts pointed out problematic comments, Wada reportedly often couldn’t understand what was wrong.

“In the past, as the show’s voice of reason, her sharp or even cutting remarks were generally tolerated. But the times have changed. What was once acceptable is now considered out of bounds. And the problem is that she doesn’t seem to grasp that.

When she’s called out, she apparently gets incredibly down. Though she bounces back quickly, because she doesn’t understand the underlying issue, the same things keep happening. The staff would be on edge every time, worrying, ‘What if something happens again this week?’ It’s reached a point where they just don’t feel it’s worth shouldering that risk anymore,” added a variety show staff member.

 

“I just hope nothing happens until the anniversary special is over”

Prefacing his remarks with “This is for Wada-san’s sake,” the previously mentioned production staff member continued:

*“It’s not quite like giving up a driver’s license, but I really think we need to take action before a major incident happens. Within the network too, there are quite a few people who feel that ‘the 40th anniversary would be a good opportunity to end the show.’ But it seems she hasn’t realized the situation she’s in and remains in incredibly high spirits. She’s apparently thinking, ‘I’m going to use the 40th anniversary as a chance to fire myself up and keep going.’”

“At the very least, we just hope nothing happens before the 40th anniversary special airs, and that she can stay motivated until then. If we can safely get through the 40th anniversary, the best scenario would be for those around her to have a proper conversation and bring the show to a close in the form of a graceful retirement.”

It’s said that the production team is being extremely careful not to let Wada herself catch wind of how precarious the situation surrounding the show really is, knowing “If she finds out, she’ll surely be crushed.”

Yet ironically, the very fact that she’s no longer able to sense that atmosphere is perhaps proof in itself that continuing to serve as a voice of reason on a news and variety program has become increasingly difficult for her.