TBS held a regular president's press conference on March 26, 2025, in Akasaka, Tokyo, where they addressed the situation surrounding Masatoshi Hamada, one half of the popular comedic duo Downtown, who announced his temporary leave due to health issues on March 10, 2025. Hamada is currently a prominent figure on two TBS programs: 'Hamada Song Festival ★ OO Academy Youth' and 'Wednesday's Downtown.'
During the press conference, Takayuki Aita, Managing Director of TBS Television, confirmed that recordings already completed for both shows would be aired as scheduled. "We will broadcast the already recorded segments as they are," Aita stated. For the 'Hamada Song Festival,' which Hamada hosts, TBS plans to appoint a substitute to fill in during his absence. Despite the absence of Hamada, who is a key figure in the title, TBS has made it clear that there are no plans to change the titles of either program. Aita mentioned, "We are not considering a title change."
The exact duration of Hamada's break has not been disclosed, but TBS has been informed that he will be taking a break for a certain period. "I have heard that he has been advised by his doctor to rest for a certain period," Aita added.
In a related note, the absence of Hamada has led to an unusual emergency live broadcast of 'Wednesday's Downtown' on the same day. The show's producers were overwhelmed by a massive response to their call for audience submissions, receiving over 25,000 entries, showcasing the show's popularity and the audience's engagement.
Kentaro Fujii, the director of 'Wednesday's Downtown,' took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the staggering number of emails received for the emergency live broadcast titled 'Everyone's Sayings Submission SP.' On March 24, he reported, "We have already received over 15,000 sayings for this week's live broadcast." By the late night of March 25, he tweeted, "We've already received over 20,000 emails and I don't know if we'll be able to make the deadline... It's difficult to have reactive emails, but flat sayings on the day might be okay." This high volume of submissions indicates the show's strong connection with its audience and the excitement surrounding the live format.
During the March 19 broadcast, a teaser for the emergency live broadcast was announced, with producers indicating that the show's budget was running low. The call for audience participation was framed as an opportunity for viewers to submit sayings they wanted the hosts to verify. The show will feature guest appearances from notable personalities including FUJIWARA's Toshifumi Fujimoto, Akira Kawashima from Kirin, Chiyo Kozukazu, and Bakarhythm. The format will allow these guests to select sayings that interest them and read them out in a radio-style presentation.
As TBS navigates this period without Hamada, the network is focused on maintaining the integrity and appeal of its programming. The decision to keep the titles unchanged despite Hamada's absence highlights the strength of the show's format and the support from its audience. TBS's commitment to delivering quality content remains steadfast, even as they adapt to the challenges posed by Hamada's temporary leave.
In summary, the upcoming weeks for TBS will involve careful management of its programming, ensuring that the legacy of shows like 'Hamada Song Festival' and 'Wednesday's Downtown' continues to thrive. The network is poised to respond to the challenges ahead with creativity and a commitment to engaging its audience, demonstrating the resilience of its entertainment offerings.
