How Fuji TV Took “Toretatte!” from Kansai Local to National Success and Revived Afternoon Wide Shows

Fuji TV Revives Afternoon Info-Wide Time Slot

Starting in October, Fuji TV’s 3 PM time slot will become a wide show.

According to a report by Daily Shincho on July 20, Kansai TV (Kantele), a Fuji TV affiliate, will begin airing Shunkan LIVE Toretate! from October 2023. The show is already broadcast on 16 Fuji TV network stations, but now it will finally air on Fuji TV itself.

“Currently, Fuji TV airs drama reruns in the 2 PM and 3 PM slots. Until September 2020, the program Chokugeki LIVE Goody! was broadcast, anchored by Yuko Ando (66). Given the similar titles, and with former Nippon TV popular announcer Genta Aoki (42) as MC, it was assumed Toretate! would eventually air on Fuji TV as well.

However, that plan was stalled by Koichi Minato (73), the then-president who wanted to revive Fuji TV’s energy with variety shows. Minato-san launched Pokapoka in the slot that previously aired Viking and Viking MORE. His catchphrases were ‘It’s fun, right?’, ‘It’s fun, isn’t it?’, and ‘I think the ratings will eventually go up,’” said a production director.

But Pokapoka’s ratings have remained stuck around 1-2%, and some reports suggest it might end by the end of September this year.

“Eventually, Minato resigned as president, and rumors within Fuji TV say variety shows won’t be increasing anymore. Even the comedians on those shows were worried about the future. Amid that, the announcement of Toretate! has sparked high expectations. Plus, with Aoki-san as MC, many see this as a sign that Fuji TV’s close relationship with STARTO ENTERTAINMENT (STARTO) may be rekindled,” said a broadcast writer.

Following the resignation of Jun Fukuda (60) as president at the end of June, the new president of STARTO became Katsuaki Suzuki (67), formerly the president of TV Nishinippon. Suzuki worked at Fuji TV as the first producer of Mezamashi TV, and later served as head of programming and production, and as an executive director.

There is also a possibility that talents from STARTO ENTERTAINMENT will become commentators

“Since his days at Nippon TV, announcer Genta Aoki openly declared himself a fan of former Johnny & Associates talents. Female fans recognized that he even bought tickets himself and went to their concerts. In fact, Aoki left Nippon TV to become a freelancer with the goal of eventually hosting events for movies and commercials featuring former Johnny’s talents. While as a network announcer at Nippon TV he might have been able to MC drama premieres or film screenings where the network was involved, hosting CM or event appearances was impossible.” (TV magazine editor)

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the sexual abuse scandal involving the late Johnny Kitagawa, opportunities for former Johnny’s talents drastically decreased. As a result, it’s said that Aoki accepted an offer from Kansai TV.

Entertainment journalist Hiroyuki Sasaki comments on Aoki:

“There have been several special broadcasts of ‘Toretate!’ on Fuji TV during holidays, and during those times, Aoki, a former announcer in Tokyo, showed more energy and enthusiasm than usual. But it still took two years for the show to be regularly networked on Fuji TV. I think that period was necessary for Aoki, who originally had a strong Tokyo persona, to get used to interacting with more colorful commentators.

These days, Aoki even exchanges witty banter with Yoshimoto comedians. Although it has eased somewhat, Tokyo people tend to avoid overly familiar Kansai types, so Aoki—popular in both Kansai and Kanto—fits perfectly. Above all, Fuji TV recognizes the connection between Aoki and STARTO ENTERTAINMENT talents as a ‘strength.’ Even though it will only air during the 3 PM slot, once it’s networked on Fuji TV, STARTO talents will find it easier to appear as promotional guests, and there’s a good chance Kansai-based groups like ‘Naniwa Danshi’ and ‘Aぇ! group’ could become commentators on ‘Toretate!’”

If Fuji TV networks the show, Aoki’s sophistication and knowledge of Tokyo trends will be a great asset. More importantly, with Fuji TV and STARTO ENTERTAINMENT’s rekindling of their close relationship, the company is likely to place great importance on “Toretate!”.

Can Aoki play a key role in Fuji TV’s revival? We look forward to seeing it.