A Hulu documentary looks at the story of a Japanese comedian named Nasubi who became the unwitting star of a reality show in 1998.
In January 1998, an aspiring Japanese comedian named Tomoaki Hamatsu but better known as Nasubi — or “eggplant,” because of his long face — was chosen to star in “Susunu! Denpa Shōnen,” a hit variety show. The brainchild of producer Toshio Tsuchiya, 'Denpa Shōnen' featured young people competing in extreme challenges — think 'Saturday Night Live' meets 'Jackass.
If anything, I thought it was more interesting if we allowed him the room and the space — not to justify himself, but to explain himself. Had you actually watched any of the footage before making this documentary? Nasubi: I tried so many times to watch it but emotionally it was very difficult. I just couldn't do it. It might be fine for people to watch, but I felt humiliated watching myself in that situation.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How a new class of Japanese stars is changing baseballJapanese stars help shape MLB. Now MLB helps shape Japanese baseball, too.
Read more »
Meeting Truman Capote: A Memorable Encounter with a Literary LegendThe author recounts her first meeting with Truman Capote and discusses his impact on American literature.
Read more »
On This Day in WWD: Truman Capote Flippantly Downplayed Betraying His ‘Swans’After the release of the scathing, high-society tell-all “Answered Prayers” left Truman Capote spurned by his beloved “Swans,” the sharp-tongued writer flippantly downplayed the betrayal, saying, “[The Swans] won’t understand, they’re so dumb,” as seen in WWD on April 8, 1976.
Read more »
Rebuilding the World: Truman's ChallengeHarry S. Truman faced the challenge of rebuilding the war-ravaged world after World War II and countering the rise of communism as the leader of the most powerful country on Earth.
Read more »
The Contestant is a largely aimless take on an incredible true storyClair Titley’s documentary revisits the fascinating saga of Nasubi, Japan’s first reality TV star
Read more »
‘The Contestant’ Features a Naked Man Losing His Mind on National TV. It’s a DocumentaryA mindblowing new doc revisits a Japanese show that broadcast a comedian surviving on sweepstakes prizes — and paved the way for modern reality TV.
Read more »