TBS has brought back the legendary variety show "ウンナン極限ネタバトル！ザ・イロモネア～笑わせたら100万円～," marking its return after eight years. The special episode is set to air on February 24, 2025, starting at 6:30 PM, and will celebrate the 60th birthday of MC 南原清隆 with 3.5 hours of laughter and entertainment.
First premiering in 2005, "The Iron Chef Challenge" quickly became popular for its unique format where comedians select from five different genre challenges aimed at making randomly selected judges laugh. To win the coveted 1 million yen prize, contestants must impress all five judges during the final challenge.
For this revival,南原 is teaming up with 柳沢慎吾, creating the comedic duo “シンチャンナンチャン.” Their goal is to add more excitement to the show and possibly grab the grand prize together. During the introduction, 内村光良, who co-hosted the show previously, welcomed the audience back with his excitement, stating, "お久しぶりです。8年ぶりの復活となりました、『ザ・イロモネア』。" This sentiment echoed throughout the audience, sparking enthusiasm for the show’s return.
Along with 南原 and 柳沢, the revival includes other famous comedians like バナナマン, ハライチ, 劇団ひとり, 錦鯉, and several more, who have amassed loyal followings over the years. Each comedian will bring their own flavor to the challenge, promising unpredictable moments of humor.
内村 expressed gratitude for the support from fans and acknowledged the unique tension present during past challenges: "皆さんが一体となって応援してくれて、温かい空間でできたことが嬉しかったです" (I felt happy to perform with everyone supporting us, creating such a warm atmosphere). He recognized the comedic pressure, particularly during 柳沢's performance, where he admitted to feeling exceptionally nervous.
This season, the audience can expect to see competitive acts not just from established favorites but also from newer talent who have emerged since the last airing. Challengers include members from the teams who triumphed through the preliminary event, "ザ・ゴールドラッシュ〜イロモネアへの道〜," closely watched by fans eager to see who might walk away with the prize.
列しおてたのに、一体何が起きるのかワクワクしています。この8年間、多くの伝説的なお笑いコンビがステージに立ち、様々なトリックとスキルを披露してきました。今は新しい世代と旧世代の戦いが見られるのが楽しみです。
While the contestants aim for the ultimate comedy prize, TBS hopes the variety show's return will engage long-time fans and attract new viewers. It aims to recreate the hilarity of the traditional format where comedians try to evoke laughter, relying solely on their skills, often with surprising consequences.
This anniversary special not only commemorates 南原’s illustrious career but also brings back nostalgic memories for many viewers who grew up watching the original show. The atmosphere promises to be charged and filled with excitement, fueled by the comedians’ talented performances.
Fans are encouraged to tune in on February 24 to relish the unique comedic battles and witness who will emerge victorious with the coveted 100万 prize. The revival of "ザ・イロモネア" stands as another notable chapter for TBS's rich legacy of entertainment, reminding audiences of the incredible joy and bonding power of comedy.