From our other sites
The story
On the 18th’s broadcast of Downtown’s Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!, a commercial for Downtown’s new streaming service “DOWNTOWN+” aired, showing Hitoshi Matsumoto looking pensive. With Matsumoto himself still unable to appear in the studio, the fact that only footage of him aired on broadcast TV sparked questions on 5ch about the promotional approach — comments like “He’s not even in top form, so why push this so hard?” and “Not mentioning that it’s also on Netflix seems like a bad look” — along with speculation about what call the Gaki no Tsukai sponsors made. At the same time, some voices expressed hope for his return, leaving reactions split.
“DOWNTOWN+” Ad Airs in Gaki no Tsukai’s Slot — Footage Shows Hitoshi Matsumoto Deep in Thought
During the October 18 broadcast of the Nippon TV variety show Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende! (Sundays, 11:25 PM), a commercial aired for “DOWNTOWN+,” a paid streaming platform delivering Downtown’s content on its own dedicated service.
In the ad, Hitoshi Matsumoto is shown saying things like, “Well… how should I put it. Let me think this through a bit more properly,” while captions reading “Matsumoto is never satisfied,” “Matsumoto keeps pushing,” “Matsumoto agonizes,” and “Matsumoto thinks” appear on screen.
Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here
What people said
lol, this guy doesn't even know what an 'octopus-leg dividend' is
The spo-onsors (said with a comic stammer)
Especially when the guy himself can't even show up because he's on leave.
Seems like a problem if the ad doesn't even mention that.
but honestly, Matsumoto himself isn't needed anymore. He just sits there looking important, and whenever he says something everyone's forced to laugh along.
You can get that same Matsumoto-ish vibe from guys like Chidori these days — there's no seat left for Matsumoto on broadcast TV or online.
He was supposed to make his comeback on the Downtown DX best-of special, but the network pulled it right before airing, he got furious, and the show ended.
DX is a Yomiuri TV show, not Nippon TV.
Though Takasu Clinic only ever ran ads in that exact slot too.
Macchan's a genius.
Gaki no Tsukai has basically become their lifeline.
Isn't it more that Hamada's not into it?
They're basically running on stubbornness alone at this point.
Macchan's big comeback.
Or did I just not notice?
Last-ditch thrashing on its deathbed.
Don't need any of those other trash comedians.
The anti crowd's pressure is too weak, so they're not taking it seriously.
Background and Key Points of This Topic
Hitoshi Matsumoto has avoided appearing on broadcast TV since a weekly magazine reported allegations against him at the end of 2023, and this commercial doesn’t feature him live either — it’s built from old footage, framed around the image of “Matsumoto deep in thought.” “DOWNTOWN+” is a paid subscription service streaming Downtown’s back catalog, and using a broadcast TV ad slot to promote it is itself an unusual move. The thread split into two camps: skepticism about why they’re promoting this so heavily while the man himself stays absent (why spend ad money on this now, and why not clarify its relationship to the Netflix release), versus comments welcoming the ad as a possible sign of an impending return to broadcast TV. Neither the article nor the thread confirms what judgment the show’s sponsors actually made about featuring Matsumoto — that remains unverified as fact.
※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou Sports Hōdō+) thread “[Entertainment] Hitoshi Matsumoto Resurfaces on Broadcast TV — ‘DOWNTOWN+’ Ad Airs During Gaki no Tsukai’s Slot, Shows Him Deep in Thought.”
Leave a Reply