entertainment

Talent agency suspends 11 comedians for 'underground business'

18 Comments

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A bizarre story. 5 years ago? There must be more to this story than what is reported here...

5 ( +5 / -0 )

"Although (the comedians) were not aware it was a gathering hosted by an antisocial group, we still consider it a very serious matter that they accepted money from such a group," the company said.

Anti-social group? Lol! Talk about sugar coating the fact! Someone, somewhere pitched a fit and these folks just lost their livelihood because of it!

There is a hell of a lot more to this story than being reported here, and I am quite sure the talking head "wide-shows" will go into greater depth!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

If you remember, the comedian host Shinsuke Shimada of the same Sunday night TV show "Gyoretsu no Dekiru Horitsu Soudanjo" that Hiroyuki Miyasako, now co-hosts, was also fired for connections to Yakuza, and doing shows for them. I think there is a clear connection between Yoshimoto Kogyo and the Yakuza.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I think there is a clear connection between Yoshimoto Kogyo and the Yakuza.

Looking over the way things run, I'd say there's a clear connection between the entertainment industry and the yaks.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

I think there is a clear connection between Yoshimoto Kogyo and the Yakuza.

Mate, there's a clear connection between the entire entertainment business in Japan and the yakuza.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Seeing how most of this "talent" lives Im not surprised they tried for a little more money. Paraded around on TV for their year or so of fame, if they make it, while living in a 1K and scraping by.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Sounds like the talent company is not happy because they missed out on their cut of the fee.

So to send a message to other ‘talent’ on their books not to do private gigs, they’ve made an example of these guys.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

Miyasako's always involved with something.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Although (the comedians) were not aware it was a gathering hosted by an antisocial group, we still consider it a very serious matter that they accepted money from such a group," the company said.

This seems pretty harsh. It was 5 years ago. They didn't know it was for an anti-social group, and by the sounds of it, someone else brokered the gig and paid them so they had no idea the money was from ill gotten gains.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Like Frank Sinatra and the mob?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I'm guessing they are more incensed that their performers are taking side gigs that they aren't getting a cut out of than they are about the organized crime aspect.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Yes, the talent agencies typically get around 70%, so doing gigs on the side isn't likely to go down well at all.

The "anti social" party is just a convenient peg to hook this on.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

What about justice and human rights ?

Breaking contracts depending on your mood is not what I call a democracy.

Talent agencies are pimps.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This story is ridiculous. There is no reason to suspend them. It’s no different than taking a job to perform at someone’s birthday party.

Getting in trouble for an appearance is ridiculous. Whether the person is good or bad, the means in which they got there money may not be bad. As long as it’s a legal gig, they shouldn’t be in trouble.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This story is ridiculous. There is no reason to suspend them. It’s no different than taking a job to perform at someone’s birthday party.

In all fairness to the talent agencies, its a bit more complicated than that. The anti-organized crime ordinances have made it necessary for businesses (not just talent agencies) to cut all ties, direct or indirect, with organized crime groups. Allowing their talents to perform at Yakuza events could therefore get them into legal trouble, hence their strong reaction (though I still suspect it is motivated also by a desire to maintain a monopoly on their talents' services).

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This brings to mind firings over social media posts. Clearly we need more job protection in this world.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

“Antisocial group” - the original (反社会 han shakai) is closer to activities detrimental to society.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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