HINABINGO: MC Koyabu Kazutoyo and Hinatazaka46 are ready to put themselves on the line

The host of HINABINGO, which starts Monday night at 1:29am, will be top Osaka comedian Koyabu Kazutoyo, famous for his harsh insult humour, but also chairman of the troupe that has a theatre in Osaka and puts on the long-running weekly TV show Yoshimoto New Comedy. He is an important figure in the entertainment world, particularly in Osaka. Here is a translation of a preview article on Abema Times:

_________________________________________________

Hinatazaka46: Will Koyabu's hard training make a new kind of appeal blossom? Sasaki Kumi: "I've never seen this Kakizaki before."

2019.04.11   14:00


Hinatazaka46's "Giving Their All! Hinatazaka46 Variety HINABINGO!" will start 16 April on the NTV network. The first episode was recorded recently in the Capital.

HINABINGO is a new program in which Hinatazaka46, who changed their name from Hiragana Keyakizaka46 and released their debut single Kyun on 27 March, will hurl themselves at the challenge of variety training. The MC will be Koyabu Kazutoyo 小籔千豊, chairman of Yoshimoto New Comedy.

Hinatazaka46 only learned at the recording session that the MC would be Koyabu. When Koyabu appeared in the studio, Higashimura Mei, who is from Nara Prefecture, burst into tears. She said joyfully that to see the chairman of New Comedy appear "made me very, very happy. I love him."

The first episode followed the theme of finding out if the members of Hinatazaka were straightforward people or not. Kakizaki Memi was the first to take up the challenge, and she had the studio in an uproar. Captain Sasaki Kumi commented: "This is the first time I've ever seen this Kakizaki."

After the recording, the members of Hinatazaka46 gathered around Koyabu for a discussion. Sasaki Mirei said, with determination: "It's the first time we've worked with someone who makes such outspoken comments. I think that receiving such harsh comments will be good training. We'll do our best."



Kosaka Nao added: "Right from the beginning, it's a show with strong content. Being from Osaka, I've seen Koyabu-san on New Comedy and so on, and to be able to appear with him makes me extremely happy. I'd like to make a really lively show."

Asked about her enthusiasm for the show, Katou Shiho said: "We had our debut on March 27th, and many people will see Hinatazaka for the first time on this HINABINGO. We'll do our very best to show each member's individuality and appeal." She drew laughs from reporters when she said: "Thinking that Koyabu-san is an 'S' [~sadistic], I'd like to receive a lot of training from him."

Asked about the routines they'll be challenged with, Saitou Kyouko made a request: "With Koyabu-san being the chairman of New Comedy, I'd like it if he would teach us what they do."

After the recording, Koyabu-san was asked for his impressions of the members: "Because I'm the age I am, I feel like a teacher in a girls' school. I don't think I should be partial to any one of them. So that question is hard for me to answer." Hearing that, the members said: "Thank you very much!" He shot back at high volume: "That's because I'm nice!"

He continued seriously, sending them off with the rallying cry: "I just want every member to do their best. It doesn't matter who does well. It just means the whole group is doing its best. Be happy when anyone succeeds, and earns praise. I'll do my best, too, so please let's all be good friends. Thank you very much."

When Koyabu-san was asked to give advice to the members on doing a variety program, he replied: "It was a very easy show to make. It seemed as if everyone was quite forthcoming. There may be girls who come forward and are funny, and others who stand out for not being able to do that. And that makes for rich variety."

A smile rose to the face of Katou, sitting next to him, who says she is an 'M' (~masochist). But then he said: "It was the first episode, so I was just play-fighting." Katou burst out: "Eh? Scary!" in a heartfelt cry. Koyabu laughed: "Is it scary? I thought you said that's what you wanted." Katou repeated, with determination: "But I won't cry. I'll do my very best."
 

At the end of the group interview, captain Sasaki Kumi said enthusiastically: "It's the first time we've worked with Koyabu-san, and it was relentless training, but by the final episode I hope that our skill in variety will be much improved, and we will really have something to show people. We'll do our very best to give everyone enjoyment."

Look forward to the first episode, Ohisamas (the nickname for Hinatazaka's fans).



more photos from the recording session:

more photos from the group interview:

 _______________________________________________________________

Koyabu-san is more than a comedian. I watched him on Abema News yestrrday leading a discussion of Buddhism with a group including a Buddhist priest. He is well known for having refused to go to Tokyo to further his career, but staying in Osaka, mainly for the sake of his young family, at the time. Meimei's reaction makes me think he is a beloved figure in Kansai.

One thing: in that serious discussion of Buddhism, Koyabu-san did almost all the talking, in a group of seven. I hope he doesn't feel he has to do that here, lol. 

Here's a link to a short web page with pics describing someone's visit to the theatre that is Yoshimoto New Comedy's home, in downtown Osaka. 

Here's a link to the official twitter video promo, showing Koyabu-san being introduced and giving a taste of the show. Pretty exciting.