On March 15, 2025, the highly anticipated sixth episode of the comedy show THE CONTE aired on Fuji Television, drawing significant attention for its unique blend of humor and live performance. With the charismatic duo of Tokyo 03 and Kamaitachi serving as hosts, the program featured various performances by talented comedians including Chocolate Planet, New York, Hanako, Love Letterz, and the trending eight-member unit DOW90000.
The episode was marked by its luxurious set design, which was particularly highlighted by Chocolate Planet's members, Nagata and Matsuo. "We got such a magnificent set; it’s rare to see something like this, especially outside of our solo performances!" exclaimed Nagata, emphasizing the uniqueness of their appearance on this platform. Matsuo added with humor, "Other shows usually turn us down because of budget issues—this is what THE CONTE is capable of!"
New York, another prominent act of the evening, brought forth performances imbued with social messages. Yashiiki noted, "We’ve introduced strong messaging through our sketches. It’s something we wanted to push forward, especially right now with the current climate at Fuji Television," hinting at the relevance and urgency of their material. Fellow group member Shimasu echoed this sentiment, saying, "We struck the right balance with our closing bit, which leaves you feeling quite heartwarming!"
Hanako’s Akiyama shared their interpretation of social themes through humor, stating, "We focused on the concept of honorific language; it would be great to see it embraced more broadly across society." Kikuta humorously added, "Maybe we’ll spark some positive change with our sketches? But not too seriously, just have fun with it!"
Meanwhile, DOW90000, who made quite the splash on social media, performed their skit titled "Daikinshin," which depicted people coming together for the surprise celebration of a friend's birthday. Founded just five years ago, DOW90000 is rooted in the Nihon University College of Art’s theater club. Their leader, Tsubasa Usui, spoke proudly of their progress, stating, "We finally got the chance to perform on this show, which has been our ambition!"
The group's initial presence was felt strongly on X (formerly Twitter), where they quickly trended post-performance. Viewers had mixed reactions. While many lauded their act with comments like, "I loved the 'Daikinshin' skit! It was hilarious," others voiced their dissatisfaction with remarks like, "It felt more theatrical than comedic, which wasn’t quite my style." This polarization sparked intriguing discussion among audiences, highlighting the variability of comedic tastes.
Responding to the buzz, Usui conveyed gratitude for their newfound visibility, "To even appear alongside established acts like Sandwich Man and Tokyo 03 is thrilling for us! We genuinely hope to showcase our range of talent beyond just our victories at King of Conte."
Each act brought its own flavor to THE CONTE, feeding the audience’s anticipation and excitement throughout the broadcast. Notably, the narrators lent their voices to the segments, with Haru Barta delivering insightful commentary around the skits. Haru shared her unique experience, stating, "While I’ve narrated documentaries before, voicing over comedy sketches commercialized the art form for me. Moving to fit the show's rhythm was particularly exhilarating!"
The episode aired from 21:00 to 23:10, and the diverse lineup kept viewers engaged with varying styles and thematic content, making THE CONTE not only entertaining but socially relevant. By showcasing both established and rising talents, Fuji Television successfully merged comedy with current cultural commentary, hence sustaining its viewership and fostering broader conversations.
Reflecting on this successful episode of THE CONTE, it is clear the show not only serves as a platform for humor but also as a vehicle for engaging with contemporary societal issues through the lens of comedy, making it a beloved fixture for audiences yearning for both entertainment and insightful reflection.