Hidehiko Ishizuka and Hideyuki Nakayama: “In the entertainment business, only those who never quit can win” Two “comrades-in-arms” talk about their “thoughts on TV

Hidehiko Ishizuka, 63, of “Honjamaka” fame, who has established himself as a comedian and gourmet reporter, and Hideyuki Nakayama, 58, who has served as MC for many programs, including “Shuichi” (Nippon Television Network Corporation).

At first glance, these two may not seem to have much in common, but they were classmates in “Big Thursday,” a group of young comedians launched by Nabe Productions (Watanabe Productions) in 1984, and they are said to be comrades-in-arms who have shared many hardships and joys.

The two, who have been in the entertainment industry from the Showa era to the Reiwa era, talked about the process of their rise to stars from their humble beginnings and their thoughts on the drastically changing TV industry.

The New Year’s Big Talk, Part 1] Hidehiko Ishizuka and Hideyuki Nakayama are actually classmates! Hidehiko Ishizuka and Hidesugu Nakayama, who met more than 40 years ago, talk about their youth.

If I don’t get any popularity, I’ll quit being a comedian.

Ishizuka: Among the members of “Big Thursday,” Hidetoshi was the first to sell well. Even though he had been told that he was not good at acting or singing, he starred in the drama “Half Potatoes, We” (Nippon TV) in 1985, and later made his debut as a singer. He was a flying leap.

Nakayama: In ’85, we formed a duo called “AB Brothers.

Ishizuka: I was not jealous. I was honestly happy to see my friends who I was fighting with succeeding. I had an “AB Brothers” sticker on the motorcycle I was riding at the time (laughs). (Laughs) Besides, I had a vision that if I worked hard here, I would be able to sell like Shu-chan.

Nakayama: I just had momentum.

Ishizuka: When I performed live with Shu-chan, many customers came for Shu-chan. Everyone was cheering “Shu-chan! while everyone else was cheering for Shu-chan, my girlfriend was the only one shouting “Ei-kun! That is now my wife (laughs).

Nakayama：It’s a wonderful story. Ishi-chan was funny, but it took him a long time to sell. That was frustrating, and we sometimes came up with stories together. We would say things like, “Maybe you should dress differently,” or “Why don’t you hold a boom box and make it look like a DJ? Thinking back on it now, it’s none of my business.

Ishizuka: No, no, I was glad that Shu-chan was taking me seriously.

Nakayama：That’s how I formed “Honjamaka” with Megumi (Toshiaki, 61) in 1989, and it immediately sold well.

Ishizuka: When we did our first live show as a duo, I thought, “I’ll quit being a comedian if it’s not popular,” but it was popular, so I couldn’t quit (laughs).

Nakayama: I was really happy that Ishi-chan got his big break. I thought, “Ishi-chan’s fun has been properly conveyed to the world. I think you shouldn’t quit the entertainment business in the middle of your career. In this world, only those who never quit can win. Even if you have the ability, if you quit, you are finished.

I want to find what I can do because it is now.”

Ishizuka: Shu-chan started MCing around the same time that I started my activities as a pin artist.

Nakayama: Ishi-chan came to many TV programs such as “Uchikuru! (Fuji TV) and “Shuichi”.

Ishizuka: I don’t think anyone has ever had a bad experience with Shu-chan’s programs. He does not try to make himself stand out just because he is the host, but rather he makes the best use of us. When I am invited to Shu-chan’s program, I am so excited that I cannot sleep, just like the day before a field trip (laugh).

Nakayama：I want the people who come to my show to think, “That was fun. I want them to think, “That was fun. I want to be in the show again. The best site is one where the performers and staff can all have a good time. I am the type of person who can only show my strength when I have a group of people with me, but Ishi-chan is able to make a VTR by himself wherever he goes. This is an amazing feat.

Ishizuka: Shu-chan is also an MC and goes on location. That is why he can make a VTR that conveys the temperature of the people in it. He is the one and only MC.

Nakayama: I still try to go on location. It’s totally different when I do the interviews myself.

Ishizuka: Television and the entertainment industry have changed a lot, but I came into this business because I wanted to be on TV, so I want TV to do well. I want TV to rise once more. I think it still has a role to play.

Nakayama: The creators should not say, “Television is finished. Even in the 80s, people were groping their way through the process, not knowing what the right answer was. I think it is important not to look for reasons why something cannot be done, but to increase the number of reasons why it can be done. I will continue to search for what I can do only now, within the current rules. I would also like to do a travel program with Ishi-chan!

Ishizuka: Yes, that’s right. I will go anywhere and do anything if there is someone who wants it. I also want to encounter flavors I’ve never tasted before (laughs).

New Year’s Big Talk Part 1] Hidehiko Ishizuka and Hideyuki Nakayama are actually classmates! The two men, who met more than 40 years ago and shared many hardships, talk about “our youth.

From the January 30/February 6, 2026 issue of FRIDAY