Downtown (owarai)

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Downtown
Japanese name:
 ダウンタウン
Dauntaun
Formed:
 1983
Company:
 Yoshimoto Kōgyō
Masatoshi Hamada
Hitoshi Matsumoto
Other name(s):
 Hama-chan and Matchan (浜ちゃんと松ちゃん?)

Downtown (ダウンタウン?) is a Japanese comedy duo (kombi) from Amagasaki, Hyōgo consisting of Hitoshi Matsumoto (松本人志?) and Masatoshi Hamada (浜田雅功?). Formed in 1983, they are arguably one of the most influential and prolific kombi in Japan today.[1] They are best known for their stand-up acts, hosting numerous Japanese variety shows (such as Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! and Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ) and their sarcastic, short-tempered stage personas.

As a result of their massive popularity and the relative domination of their employer, Yoshimoto Kōgyō, the Kansai dialect (in which both performers usually speak) has come to be associated with Japanese comedy (owarai) as a whole.[2]

Contents

[edit] Members

Masatoshi Hamada (浜田雅功)
Born May 11, 1963 in Naniwa, Osaka and raised in Amagasaki, Hyōgo. Plays the tsukkomi. Married to actress Natsumi Ogawa with two sons. Also known as "Hama-chan" (浜ちゃん?). His quick temper, displays of schadenfreude, and tendency to whap people on their heads are notorious in the owarai world. [3] He is often described as "sadistic."
Hitoshi Matsumoto (松本人志)
Born September 8, 1963 in Amagasaki, Hyōgo. Plays the boke. Single with no history of marriage. Also known as "Matchan" (松ちゃん?). Absurdism, sarcasm, and a blunt, ill-tempered persona make up his comedic style. Deadpan is his forté, but he can slip into exaggerated reactions as well.

[edit] Background

[edit] Childhood and school years

Matsumoto and Hamada attended and met at Shio Elementary School in Amagasaki, Hyōgo of the Kansai region. They did not become friends until their second year in Amagasaki Taisei Junior High School, where they both joined the school's broadcasting club and called each other Mattsun (まっつん?) and Hama-chon (はまちょん?). It is then Matsumoto joked about becoming a comedy duo together and planted the idea into their heads. At the time, Matsumoto was part of a manzai trio called "Koma Daisanshibu" with two of his classmates, Itō and Morioka.

Their first television appearance in 1982. They were 18 years old and not yet known as Downtown.
Their first television appearance in 1982. They were 18 years old and not yet known as Downtown.

One day, Matsumoto's manzai partner, Itō, had an argument with Hamada which evolved into a street fight. Hamada won, and prompted Matsumoto to leave with him. Matsumoto was unsure of what to do, but started walking in the same direction as Hamada because it was the opposite direction from Itō's house. It is said this incident marked the beginning of Downtown.[4]

They were split apart when they entered different high schools. The boarding school Hamada entered was very strict, and Hamada attempted to escape several times. Whenever he escaped successfully, he called Matsumoto for help, hiding at his home for several days before being caught by his teachers. Hamada repeated the cycle of escaping, calling Matsumoto to borrow money to buy food, and being caught again, throughout his high school years. Matsumoto, on the other hand, entered a local tech school, and became the leader of the school band, but quickly started skipping school to hang out with his girlfriend from middle school.

[edit] Early career

A VHS from 1988.
A VHS from 1988.

After graduating, Hamada had an unsuccessful try at becoming a motorboat racer. Matsumoto invited Hamada to join him in his dream to become a comedian. Although Matsumoto's comedy talent agency of choice was Shōchicku Geinō, the two went with Hamada's choice and entered the Yoshimoto Kōgyō: NSC (New Star Creation) in Osaka. [5] Their first kombi name was "Matsumoto Hamada." Other names they had were "Hitomasashi," "Teruo-Haruo," and The "Wright Brothers," before settling as "Downtown," a name they picked from a magazine. They made their major debut in 1983.

Matsumoto and Hamada received positive comments from older comedians in NSC, but went without a single chuckle from the audience, sometimes receiving insults from hecklers.[6] They organized performances of their sketches and routines by themselves, but couldn't get people to listen, even if tickets were free. Matsumoto describes these early years as "hell," showing his immense frustration and stress during this period. They even considered quitting at one point.[7] Neither made enough money to live on their own, so they had to live with their parents, commuting to the city by train for performances opportunities. Ironically, Matsumoto had to search for a part-time job in a magazine printed by the printing company that he had originally been supposed to enter after graduating high school.

[edit] Rise to popularity

Despite the hardships, they gradually increased their fan-base and status. In April of 1987 (four years after their debut) they began hosting a local television show called Yoji Desu Yōda ("It's Four O'Clock"), which immediately raised them to idol-like popularity in the region (music singles, videos and photo books in which they posed like fashion models were released), especially among high school girls. After a tearful farewell concert, they ended the show and moved to Tokyo in 1989, making various appearances on low rating TV programs before making their big break with their long-running variety show Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!. From that point, they went on to create several other successful variety shows, such as Downtown no Gottsu Ee Kanji, Downtown DX and the music-centric Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ.

[edit] Comedy style

Hamada about to hit Matsumoto on the head on Downtown DX.
Hamada about to hit Matsumoto on the head on Downtown DX.

[edit] Boke and tsukkomi

As with many owarai kombi, there exists a boke and a tsukkomi. Matsumoto is the boke of the two and often puts up with light physical abuse (it is common for the tsukkomi to slap the boke on top of his head whenever he says something rude or ridiculous) from Hamada, the tsukkomi. Hamada is also known to attack other tarento and celebrities (such as Ayumi Hamasaki) when they give boke-like responses to Downtown's questions. Hamada's aggressive ways have earned him the nickname of Do ESU no Hamada (ドＳの浜田?), or "Hamada the Super Sadist."

[edit] Manzai

The early 1980s prominently featured quick, snappy styles of manzai, but Downtown took the opposite approach, using a slow, mumbling tone which baffled older comedians. While other duos performed manzai facing the audience, Downtown would face each other as if they were simply conversing, ignoring the presence of the audience. Their contribution to manzai is immeasurable; it has been remarked that manzai will never be the same after Downtown, and many aspiring comedians have copied parts of Downtown's style. It is notable that Downtown never had a mentor (it was common for younger comedians to be "trained" by older, more experienced comedians) which was essential to the development of their own, unorthodox style.

In the group's early years, many recognized Downtown's talent, but doubted Downtown would ever succeed due to their sluggish style, which was so drastically different from that of mainstream manzai. Shinsuke Shimada, a leading manzai comedian, had been one of the doubters until he saw one of Downtown's performances. Shimada was startled by how funny and complex Downtown was, and immediately announced his retirement from manzai. In his press conference, Shimada cited Downtown as the major reason for his retirement, but the press ignored the comment, since the duo had very little popularity at the time, writing instead that Shimada had felt outclassed by a different manzai duo; Saburo-Shiro. Shimada's decision proved to be correct however, as Downtown dominated manzai in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Downtown and Shimada have developed a close bond over the years, and Matsumoto co-hosts a TV talk show ("Matsushin") with Shimada.

Performing ad-libbed manzai on Gaki no Tsukai.
Performing ad-libbed manzai on Gaki no Tsukai.

Though Matsumoto and Hamada are now regarded as "geniuses" of their respective roles, it is unjust to laud them only for their talent. Matsumoto made a change from being a quieter character to his current, ill-tempered style, while Hamada had to repeatedly apologize for brash comments in variety shows. Upon hearing that many fans regarded Hamada as the crux of the group, Matsumoto embarked upon an array of solo skits to prove himself, while Hamada relentlessly studied other groups' tsukkomi to improve upon his own skills.

Another important aspect of Downtown's comedy is their willingness to make themselves the butt of the joke. While many popular manzai comedians become elevated to the level where poking fun at them is out of the question, Downtown has always taken ridiculous roles in shows, even after becoming popular. This is particularly evident in Gaki No Tsukai where they endure countless physical and mental punishments, such as their infamous punishment games. Generally, these roles are reserved for younger, less popular comedians, but Matsumoto and Hamada relish these roles even after becoming part of the elite of Japanese entertainment.

Downtown has not performed a manzai routine since 1991, though the free talk session on Gaki No Tsukai can be considered the final form of Downtown's manzai.

[edit] Kansai dialect

Yoshimoto Kōgyō is very much a Kansai operation, although it is not limited to people from Osaka and its surroundings. Most of its comedians speak Kansai-ben, the strong, earthy dialect that developed among the merchant classes of Osaka, as opposed to the more elegant tones of Kyoto or the standard language of the Edo (now Tokyo) aristocracy.

Matsumoto and Hamada have never lost the dialect and have used it to their benefit. They use it in the titles of their TV shows -- translations of Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende ("Not An Errand Boy!" - "Gaki no tsukai ja naiyo!" in Standard Japanese) or Gottsu Ee Kanji cannot be found in a standard dictionary. Downtown's popularity have turned these expressions into common vocabulary.

[edit] Private relationship

Although they appear to be best friends on their shows, Hamada and Matsumoto admit they are not as close as one may think. On their many hosted shows and interviews, the two have made the following revelations:

  • They do not know each other's cell phone numbers, as they see no need to phone one another. Matsumoto has phoned Hamada's cell phone just once: when Hamada fractured his right leg (after kicking a locker out of rage) and was taken to a hospital. He had to ask a staff member for his number.[8]
  • They do not travel together, even going as far as arranging for one to travel by plane and another by train to avoid meeting by chance.
  • They find it extremely awkward and uncomfortable being left alone together in a room.
  • After Hamada's marriage, Matsumoto has never been to his residence.
  • Matsumoto has only seen Hamada's son once, when he was still an infant.[9]
  • By pure coincidence, they once vacationed in Guam at the same time. When Matsumoto saw Hamada, he avoided him. When later asked by Hamada why he didn't say anything, he replied it would've been "too awkward."[10]
  • Matsumoto has said that even if they quit Downtown, they likely would not be able to return to being friends.[11]

On Music Champ, Matsumoto stated they see each other so often at work, the thought of meeting in private never crosses their mind. During an interview with Puffy AmiYumi, he was impressed by how the two singers spend time together as friends despite having to work together all the time as a duo -- he turned to Hamada and told him, "I'd rather eat off the floor than go out to dinner with you."

This does not mean, however, they do not get along outside of work. Though they do not consider each other to be friends, their deep business relationship and respect for each other is evident. Hamada has said if they ever parted ways, he would "never do comedy again,"[12] as there is no one else he would like to make his partner (Matsumoto has expressed similar views).[13] He has also said he saves his best tsukkomi material for Matsumoto.[14] Tanaka of Cocorico reports seeing Matsumoto become visibly concerned whenever Hamada is sick and unable to come to work.

[edit] Television

[edit] Hosted shows

Downtown currently host the following programs every week:

[edit] Partial list of past hosted shows

  • Yoji Desu Yōda (4時ですよーだ?) (Mainichi Hōsō, 1987-1989)
  • Downtown no Moto (ダウンタウンの素?) (Mainichi Hōsō, 1990-1992)
  • Downtown no Gottsu Ee Kanji (ダウンタウンのごっつええ感じ?) (Fuji Television, 1991-1997)
  • Nama Nama Nama Nama Downtown (生生生生ダウンタウン?) (TBS, 1992-1993)
  • Downtown Jiru (ダウンタウン汁?) (TBS, 1993-1994)
  • Hatsumei Shōgun Downtown (発明将軍ダウンタウン?) (Fuji Television, 1993-1996)
  • Kaza-ana Downtown (かざあなダウンタウン?) (All-Nippon News Network, 1995-1996)
  • WORLD DOWNTOWN (Fuji Television, 1995)
  • Kangaeru Hito (考えるヒト?) (Fuji Television, 2004-2005)

[edit] Television dramas

  • Downtown Monogatari (ダウンタウン物語?) (Mainichi Hōsō, 1987)
  • Katsura Sanshi no ŌATARI! Shoshun Nagaya (桂三枝の大当り!初春長屋?) (Kansai TV, 1988)
  • The Yoshimoto Kōgyō Satsujin Jiken (THE 吉本興業殺人事件?) (Asahi Hōsō, 1988)
  • Ucchan Nanchan no Convenience Monogatari (ウッチャンナンチャンのコンビニエンス物語?) (TV Tokyo, 1990, guest appearance)
  • Yonimo Kimyō na Monogatari Gyakuten (世にも奇妙な物語「逆転」?) (Fuji Television, 1992)
  • Ashita ga Arusa (明日があるさ?) (Nippon Television, 2001) Hamada was a protagonist while Matsumoto made minor cameos
  • Densetsu no Kyōshu (伝説の教師?) (Nippon Television, 2000) Matsumoto only; Hamada appeared in the final episode

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ Japan Zone article Retrieved on 2008-2-21. "The biggest name in comedy duos has to be Downtown."
  2. ^ Japan Zone's profile on Yoshimoto Kogyo Retrieved on 2008-2-08. "Thanks to the huge popularity they have enjoyed these Kansai natives have made the region's dialect almost the de-facto language of comedy in Japan."
  3. ^ LINCOLN, 松本プレゼンツ「浜田との壁を取り除こうのコーナー」Episode aired on 2005-11-29. A large group of younger comedians express their fear of Hamada, which Matsumoto tries to help over come in this episode.
  4. ^ Hōsō-shitsu no Ura Published in 2003-7-26 by Wani Books. Itō talks about this incident in greater detail in this book.
  5. ^ LINCOLN Episode #58, 2007-01-16.
  6. ^ Downtown no Riyū Article #20 Published 1995-10-09.
  7. ^ Downtown no Riyū Article #21 Published 1995-10-23.
  8. ^ A Downtown no Gottsu Ee Kanji incident. The moment Matsumoto phoned Hamada was filmed and shown on the show. For weeks afterwards, Hamada appeared on television with a cast and crutches.
  9. ^ Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!, クイズ浜田の500のコト Aired on 2007-04-01.
  10. ^ Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!. The two talked about this during the talk segment on this show.
  11. ^ Downtown no Riyū Article #19 Published 1997-9-22.
  12. ^ Downtown no Riyū Article #7 (Interview with Hamada), Published 1997-3-14.
  13. ^ Downtown no Riyū Article #18 Published 1997-9-18. Hamada: "Who else is there for me? I can't do owarai with someone else." Matsumoto: "It wouldn't be fun doing it with anyone else."
  14. ^ Downtown no Riyū Article #19 Published 1997-9-22.
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