Takafumi Horie, the former CEO of Internet company Livedoor whose trial for insider trading continues in the courts, recently made his first TV appearance in three years on TBS's new talk show "Terebitte Yatsu wa?" ("What the Hell is TV?").
Slimmed down slightly and still dressing like a college student, "Horiemon," as he used to be called affectionately, was as voluble and opinionated as he was when he was a daily media fixture. It was obvious he missed the spotlight, and he reacted enthusiastically when the other guests asked him personal questions.
However, when host Hiroshi Kume said that he was sure the people watching at home were curious about Horie's current financial circumstances, the former tycoon politely avoided any talk of money.