It has been announced that a special program to commemorate the 1,500th broadcast and 30th anniversary of TV Tokyo's popular information variety program "Appear! Ad Street Heaven" entitled "'Appear! Ad Street Heaven' Celebration! 1,500th Broadcast, 30th Anniversary SPECIAL" will be broadcast on March 22nd from 6:30 pm. The three and a half hour special will look back on the best moments from the past 30 years with rare footage in a "Best 30" section, as well as a roundtable discussion with the female announcers who have hosted the program so far (the roundtable discussion will only be broadcast on TV Tokyo, TV Setouchi, and TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting).
The special will introduce the town's symbols that have disappeared and the before and after of redevelopment. It will also feature gourmet food from shops that had long lines and famous shop owners. It will also show rare footage of Seiya Suzuki, a baseball boy from Machiya, and Ikeda Miyu, known as Michopa, at her first TV appearance at a candy store in Oji Kamiya. In a roundtable discussion with past female announcers, Yashio Keiko, Oe Mariko, Suguro Seika, Katabuchi Akane, and current host Nakahara Minami will appear and talk about "Ad Street" anecdotes and candid talk that can only be shared now.
Comments were provided by hosts Yoshihiko Inohara, Nakahara, and producer Morimoto Taisuke.
◇Comment from Yoshihiko Inohara
I thought it would be impossible to talk about all 30 years of memories in 3 and a half hours, but this was nicely put together. I thought it took 30 years to make this special. On a personal note, I have also been a singer for 30 years. I debuted in 1995, the same year the program started, so I remember what Shibuya was like back then, and the places where I used to meet up with the other members and go by car, and how the city and the gals have changed! It was amazing footage that you won't see anywhere else (laughs). There was footage of guest Michopa being interviewed at a candy store when she was about 10 years old and not yet in the entertainment industry, and she was really cute!
These past 10 years have made me think about how to approach and cooperate with others, as the streets I used to walk on as if they were nothing were not so obvious. Personally, I was supported and encouraged by (Ryuta) Mine, (Yamada) Goro, and (Hirohide) Yakumaru as people and men. I was also saved and helped by all the announcers at TV Tokyo. For me, it will be my 40th, 50th, 60th anniversary... which means I will be close to 80 years old. I don't know what it will be, but I think I can do it! I want "Ad Town" to continue to be a part of my life.
First of all, without the viewers, this program would not have lasted for 30 years. Since I started being the MC, even people I know around me have started saying, "My town will be featured on 'Ad Town' next time," and they thank me, saying, "Thank you very much" (laughs). I don't think there are many programs like that. I hope to continue with the motto of creating a program that is relaxing and can be watched by the whole family, so I hope you will continue to watch it every week with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
◇Comment from Minami Nakahara
(After the recording) I've been in charge of "Ad Town" for a year, but I thought this is what it feels like to look into the city. I felt like I learned 30 years' worth of information all at once, and I was a little moved. There were some scenes that made me tear up, some laughter, and some tears... Everyone who appeared on the show had a lovely smile, and I think the welcoming feeling was really warm. Mine-san often says that "people make the city," and I think this 3.5-hour special really lets you feel that.
All the past announcers were there at the roundtable, and to be honest, I was so nervous that I don't remember it (laughs). It was cool how Yashio-san was in charge of it, and I saw the video of everyone appearing on "Ad Town" for the first time, and they were still so new. But even when they made mistakes, they were so adorable, and I learned a lot from watching them gradually grow as MCs and with the show, and I was impressed that they were the ones who were in charge of a show that had been running for so many years.
I've known Inohara since the days of V6, so I had the image of him as a very shining, cool person I could respect, but the first thing that surprised me was how frank he was from the beginning. I think it was because of Inohara that I was able to get into "Ad Town" so easily. I think that the atmosphere of "Ad Town" is connected thanks to Inohara, and I respect him for watching from the side.
I really like watching "Ad Town" in a relaxed atmosphere with Inohara-san, the regulars and guests, relaxing at home and watching TV together... It's like a public viewing, and it's a relaxing place. For me, it's a program that I want to continue to be like that for many decades to come.
◇Comment from Producer Taisuke Morimoto
Utilizing 30 years of precious archives worth about 22,500 hours, this special content is possible only because "Ad Town" knows the town inside and out! There are many nostalgic images such as "Ah, that town," "Ah, that person!", "We used to have this corner," etc. ... and the latest information such as "It has changed like this!" If you miss March 22nd, you will never be able to see it again! ? Please look forward to this 30th anniversary special!
