Kintaro Ueda, a member of the popular comedy duo, Cream Stew, shared an honest glimpse into his life during his wife’s recent hospitalization for a major injury, as he appeared on the late-night talk variety show 'Ota Ueda' on March 19, 2025. On the show, broadcast on Chukyo TV, Ueda opened up about the unexpected turn of events that unfolded after a family ski trip, which marked their first outing to the slopes in 25 years.
During the ski excursion, Ueda humorously recounted an episode where he lost his balance on the icy slopes. “I was saying, 'Whoa, I can't stop!' as my wife pointed out that my weight was too far back. I ended up sliding down the hill while she remained up top,” he explained. The accidental fall took a serious turn when Ueda's wife, who had been watching him, suffered a serious injury, fracturing her joint upon falling and being unable to get up. “Initially, I thought she had just gotten stuck. But when I climbed back up, she was in severe pain and couldn't move,” Ueda recalled.
In a moment of urgency, Ueda called out for their daughter to summon the rescue team. “She was in so much pain that she couldn't stand. The rescuers arrived, and they had to get her onto a snowmobile,” he narrated, despite the absurdity of trying to crack jokes during such a serious situation, saying, “You really can’t make jokes when someone is in pain.” Through the laughter and seriousness, Ueda painted a picture of an intense yet comedic family moment.
After returning home, Ueda’s wife required surgery and was hospitalized for approximately three weeks. The experience drastically altered Ueda's daily routine, as he described how he barely managed to cook for himself while juggling household responsibilities. “Being at home without my wife was a big change. I cooked rice about four times,” he admitted, feeling the weight of domestic chores pressing down on him.
Moreover, Ueda humorously remarked on how he navigated meal times during this period. “I thought I would wait for the kids to get home for dinner, but they ended up saying they’d already eaten. So for days, I just drank alcohol without eating properly,” he admitted with a laugh. He reflected on his culinary limitations, noting, “If I ever lived alone, I’d probably just drink and eat instant noodles here and there. I really can only whip up UFO yakisoba, and that’s not much to brag about.”
Comedy often finds its roots in the absurdities of life, and Ueda managed to find humor in his struggles while admitting the challenges of single-parent cooking. The conversations on 'Ota Ueda' highlighted a side of Ueda often unseen, bringing forward not just a comical narrative but also the very real aspects of family, health, and reliance on partners.
Despite the light-hearted delivery, the underlying message remained serious. Ueda came to appreciate the daily support his wife provides, reminding viewers that many often take for granted the role of family members while juggling various responsibilities. As his wife recuperates, the family bonds strengthen, reflecting a balance of humor and heartfelt sentiments amid the chaos of life.
