There are rumors that "SMAP × SMAP," the long-running variety show featuring Japan's most enduring boy band, will be ending sometime this year as its members increasingly follow individual paths. Moday is SMAP Day over at Fuji TV, which will be airing the group's 1994 theatrical film "Shoot" at 3 p.m. A legendary stinker, the manga-based movie should at least provide some laughable nostalgia.
Then there's a 4 1/2-hour "SMAP × SMAP" special starting at 7 p.m. It will be the first time the show has ever been broadcast live. The celebrity guest for the SMAP Bistro segment, where four of the boys whip up competing meals, is Miyuki Hatoyama, the first lady of Japan. The idol group Kat-Tun, which also toils for SMAP's overlords, Johnny's Jimusho, will sing and dance with their senpai (seniors) in a special "joint performance," and the most elaborate domino chain reaction setup is promised as well.
Freelance announcer Seiji Miyane is called the "Monto Mina of Naniwa," Monto Mina being the most ubiquitous emcee on Japanese TV and Naniwa being another way of saying "Osaka." Kansai people know him very well while Kanto viewers probably don't.