It has been revealed that Nippon Television's long-running variety show "Shoten" (Sundays at 5:30 p.m.) has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the "longest-running weekly television comedy panel program." The show was recognized for its 60-year run of its familiar style of comedy, where cushions are given to good answers and removed for bad ones. When the certificate was presented to Sanyutei Koraku, the oldest member of the Shoten cast, by a Guinness World Records official during the June 7th broadcast, the audience erupted in cheers and applause.
The "Oogiri" segment, which has been featured since the show's first broadcast on May 15, 1966, is said to have been devised by the first host, Tatekawa Danshi, and has been passed down through successive hosts (Maeda Takehiko, the first Minami Shinsuke, the fifth Sanyutei Enraku, Katsura Utamaru, and Shunputei Shota). Even as times and the television environment have drastically changed, this style of "Oogiri" has continued without wavering and has become a familiar sight in Sunday evening living rooms. The certification date was set for May 15, 2026, exactly 60 years after the program began.
The judge appeared wearing a black cape, prompting a game of improvisational comedy with the question, "Who is this person?" A flurry of witty answers followed, including "The new cushion carrier," "Someone from the Japan Meteorological Agency," and "A master of improvisational comedy and Kōraku's successor."
Upon receiving the certificate, Koraku expressed her joy, saying, "I've worn a cast before, but this is my first Guinness World Record. I've received it! Thank you so much! I'm so grateful!"
She also commented, "I still can't quite grasp it. I was told so suddenly that I was like, 'Huh?' When I think about it, it's amazing. I became a rakugo storyteller the month before 'Shoten' was created, so I have a deep connection with the program, and this is a great honor." She then drew laughter by saying, "I drank a 1.8-liter bottle of sake every day from New Year's Day to New Year's Eve for five years, so I drank nearly 2,000 bottles of sake, but I wonder if that will make it into the Guinness World Records? (laughs)"
◇Comment from Sanyutei Koyūzō
"This is what they mean by 'a bolt from the blue.' I was so surprised because I never expected it, and it hasn't really sunk in yet, but from now on I will work hard towards the Nobel Prize so as not to bring shame to the name of Guinness World Records."
◇Comment from Shunputei Shota
"I'm incredibly happy. It just so happens that our generation received it, but it's a Guinness World Record for a program that has continued doing improv comedy in the same way for 60 years, so I really want to express my gratitude to the predecessors who have kept this program going."
◇Comment from Taihei Hayashiya
"I'm truly overjoyed. Just being able to meet the Guinness World Records adjudicator who was present at the kendama challenge on 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' made me incredibly happy. I'm so glad and proud that I was able to be recognized by Guinness World Records for just a fleeting moment in the history built by my predecessors. Thank you very much."
◇Comment from Harunosuke Tachikawa
"If it was the best in Japan, I would understand, but to be recognized internationally, I realized that the 'world' of 'Shoten' is truly a 'world' in itself. I would like to go and report this to the grave of my great master, Tatekawa Danshi, who was the first host of the show."
◇Comment from Shunputei Ichinosuke
"It's a world record. But you know, there must be a planet like Earth at the edge of the universe, so maybe there's a show like this there too, and it would be great if we could create something like a 'Space Comedy Show' in the future. We're entering an era where we'll be going to space more and more. I bet there are some octopus-like creatures out there. And there's probably a mean host too. I'll continue to do my best in a universal way."
◇Comment from Miyaji Katsura
"Thank you for letting me witness the first moment in my life that I can brag about to my children. I want to continue being a cool dad. Now that everyone's talked this much, there's nothing more to say, right? (laughs)"
◇Comment from Takao Yamada
"Congratulations on the 60th anniversary of Shōten! Perseverance is power. Let's all take care of our health and keep working hard towards 100 years!"
