The inter-season TV schedule always features specials dedicated to police videos, eating contests and large, impoverished families. In this third category we have "Binbo ni Makeru na" ("We Won't be Beaten by Poverty"; TV Tokyo, Mon., 6:30 p.m.), the 11th semiannual installment in the saga of the Watazus of Shimane Prefecture, first introduced in 2008.
Mrs. Watazu is on her third marriage. For Mr. Watazu, who works at a supermarket, it's only his first. She brought 10 kids to the union and together they've produced four more: in total two boys and 12 girls, several of whom have already had kids of their own. The 24-year-old eldest daughter has been divorced twice. The Watazus share two six-mat rooms and one 4.5-mat room. Who says the income gap can't be entertaining?
In celebration of its 55th anniversary, Fuji TV is bringing back "the double Asanos," Atsuko and Yuko, two of the most popular TV drama actresses in the late 1980s and early '90s. They star together in a special drama called "Dakishimetai! Forever" ("I Want to Be Held! Forever"; Tues., 9 p.m.).