entertainment

Tamori's 'Waratte Iitomo' variety program ends after nearly 32 years

21 Comments

Television comedian Tamori's midday variety program “Waratte Iitomo” (It’s Okay to Laugh) on Fuji TV came to an end Monday after 31 1/2 years on the air.

The popular program started in October 1982. The 68-year-old Tamori, whose real name Kazuyoshi Morita, is known for his trademark sunglasses (very few people have ever seen him without sunglasses).

On the final show, comedian and movie director Takeshi Kitano appeared to award Tamori a testimonial. When asked by Takeshi what he was going to do from now on, Tamori said, “I don’t know. That’s what I’m worried about now.”

Tamori was "discovered" by Yosuke Yamashita, a jazz pianist in his hometown of Fukuoka and gained popularity through his manic imitation of foreign languages. He was then invited to Tokyo and started to appear on some TV and radio programs.

“Waratte Iitomo” was his first daytime program which he made a hit through his ad-libbing in front of live audiences.

Asked the secret of lasting so long, Tamori said, "Don’t be too enthusiastic and don’t regret anything."

© Japan Today

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21 Comments
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otsukare sama deshita! i've always liked tamori. he never needed to insult people to be funny, and his rotating stable of daily talents made sure that there was something for everyone to enjoy. and most importantly, there were no segments dedicated to watching people eat food!

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Owatte ii to omou

5 ( +8 / -3 )

I like Tamori. He is a nice guy in real life, and even on TV. He never insulted or demeaned his guests like other hosts. Could he have gone on longer? Of course, but sometimes you just have to know when enough is enough.

Like him or hate him there is one thing we could all agree on. He should take others with him into retirement: Beat Takeshi, Sanma, Downtown, et al.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Loved him and the show "Vocabulary Tengoku" - learned a lot about Japan and the Japanese language from that show back in the day.

Otsukarasama!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

So, the show that first introduced me to the Japanese definition of a, ahem, "talent," has gone and left us! What to do, what to do?

I know! Turn the channel once or twice...and you'll soon find the exact same "talents" doing the exact same things there!

Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose!

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Watched this show from time to time. Not going to miss it but Tamori always seemed down to earth and never heard of him doing anything stupid. He should do something many people here seem afraid to: Retire - and enjoy it!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Nice enough.

May he enjoy his retirement ...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I only know him from Music station but I heard that he has a world record of hosting the most episodes of a variety program which is I believe 6500! O_o he ended at the 8054th episode. That deserves quite some respect.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Only now do i see what he did and why he is justly famed for his great sense of humour and word play. his name is Morita and he took the "stage name" Tamori. Brilliant!!! His "manic iimitation of foreign languages" was also priceless.......

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The show started when I was 2. It has just always been there. I'm sure my sense of humor has been formed by that program and Tamori. I didn't watch everyday, but, yes, it has just always been there.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I`m watching the final show as I type. It seems like all the other Japanese comedians have joined Tamori for the last show. So many unfunny guys on stage together. If they were all to quickly follow Tamori into retirement, I for one would be absolutely delighted.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

"Iitomo" was literally the first TV Japanese (in Japan, I mean) I was introduced to, so despite not watching it for years I have very fond memories. I'm sorry to see it go. Otsukaresama!!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I liked him on "Music Station".

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It was always on in our "lunch room" at work and I was looking forward to finally watching something else, but what do you know, they've cooked up a similar show overnight.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Going to miss this show! It was like the lunch whistle in Japan, as well as some good entertainment to break up the middle of the work day. As someone already mentioned, he did not lightheartedly berate foreigners on his show to get a laugh like his counterparts Sanma and Beat Takeshi often did (don't see either doing it anymore).

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Otsukaresama !

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Thanks christ for that. Never really watch J TV, but this was the same ol bs.

-2 ( +4 / -7 )

All those good bye/thank you speeches made me want to vomit. I think I could count on one hand the number of people that did NOT cry. Oy vey! The melodrama.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

He really didn't have much competition...he needed to retire

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

I've had funnier toothaches than this bloke.

-11 ( +6 / -17 )

I could never stomach this creep.

-14 ( +3 / -16 )

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