On March 1, 2025, the Japanese television series "Chihara Junior's Taxi Ride Along Trip" aired its latest episode as part of TV Tokyo's "Saturday Special." This installment, with its traditional appeal, featured comedians Chihara Junior and his guest Ai Sato indulging in local Aomori cuisine. Yet, notable for its controversy was the deliberate absence of scenes showcasing Junior drinking alcohol, which many fans had come to expect from the series.
Historically, the show's charm has spun around Junior's exuberant drinking habits. According to television industry insiders, Chihara Junior’s boisterous drinking style and antics have been integral to his character, making it favored among viewers. A television journalist noted, "Chihara Junior has always been known for his confident drinking, especially since he often shared meals with local delicacies and drinks. His open enjoyment of alcohol gave the show its unique flavor." This reputation revealed the show's distinctiveness among travel programs. Often other traveling entertainers refrain from drinking on air due to wary production policies, but Junior had previously embraced this aspect of the series.
During this latest episode, the dynamic shifted dramatically. Viewers were surprised to find seemingly unified efforts by the producers to keep alcohol out of the limelight. Aomori's famous scallop miso grilled, alongside the local soup kenojiru, made for enticing dishes, yet the joy of toasting with bottles or glasses was nowhere to be found. While preparing for their meal at the restaurant located in Hirosaki City, the camera managed to capture the image of a beer bottle on their table clearly, indicating, though not showing, Junior’s indulgence.
Reportedly, this choice by producers to cut scenes of alcohol consumption stems from growing concerns about public receptiveness. This pattern of omission puzzled many longtime supporters. One insightful observer stated, “The beer being prominently displayed masks the very thing viewers associate this show with—good food and good drink.” Speculations suggest the edit could be linked to increased scrutiny surrounding on-screen drinking culture, especially following rising social conversations about alcohol's presence on television.
Previously, buoyant scenes of Junior’s boozy escapades helped nail down viewer ratings, but the new decision might indicate programming changes spanning from management’s desire to navigate through such cultural sensitivities. Majoring on the gastronomical offerings without the surrounding buzz of drinking leaves racier aspects of the show removed from the excitement tied to Junior’s younger persona.
So far, the series has skirted around the issue, with previous episodes exhibiting glances of Junior popping open champagne bottles, especially notable during the 14th episode when the comedian popped champagne at a sushi restaurant. Given the axe to these joyful outbursts of merriment, those who cherished Junior’s easygoing drinking style now wonder if this initiative is indicative of future episodes or merely episodic adjustments.
Despite removing the drinking angle, the essence of what made the series appealing lingers unspoken. “It’s puzzling,” said one viewer reflecting on how the scene was cornered rather than critiqued directly. “If they are stripping away what people love about Junior and the show, are they considering how many are attached for these engaging moments?”
Shifting values and audience backlash to jovial drinking unexpectedly create confines for such entertainment. Junior’s camaraderie and charm suffuses every segment, yet these shifts may dampen the vibrancy originally offered to audiences. Producers have not released formal statements addressing the viewing audience concerns, but it’s evident there’s much to navigate.
Moving forward, fans can only guess whether these edits signal the permanent exclusion of alcohol consumption or if Junior’s renowned liquor-laden mischief will one day return to the show. The exploration of delightful local cuisines remains, but Junior's spotlighted drinking scenes now seem distanced from view.
Therefore, as the show traverses through changing cultural norms and viewer expectations, significant reflections from the audience will likely steer how Junior and the creative team approach subsequent episodes of this beloved series.