It has been announced that singer-songwriter Utada Hikaru will be appearing on "Celebrating Tetsuko's Room 50th Anniversary: Super Luxury! A Celebration Special with the Whole Entertainment Industry," a special program celebrating the 50th anniversary of Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room," which will be broadcast on TV Asahi (excluding some regions) on February 1st. She is the last of the many stellar guests announced each day. This will be Utada's first appearance on the show.
Utada's late mother, Fuji Keiko, a hugely popular singer from the Showa era, appeared on "Tetsuko's Room" four times during her lifetime. Kuroyanagi, who has heard many stories about Utada from Fuji, said with deep emotion, "It's nice to meet you, but somehow it doesn't feel like the first time we've met. I've heard so many stories from her mother... I'm so happy that she appeared on the show celebrating its 50th anniversary!" She also revealed that she loves Utada's hit song "A Bouquet for You," saying, "I always listen to it when I'm traveling. I'm really happy to have met her."
Utada, who rushed over from London where she lives, was also thrilled, saying, "I'm very happy to be able to come for the first time at such a wonderful time. I've always wanted to appear on 'Tetsuko's Room'... It feels strange to be appearing on the same show as my mother."
During the talk, Utada candidly discusses her feelings toward her 10-year-old "beloved son" and her "mother, Fuji Keiko." Kuroyanagi also suggested a segment where they would look back on Fuji's appearances on "Tetsuko's Room." The segment will cover her appearances in chronological order, starting with her first appearance at age 28 in 1979, but in particular, her appearance in 1996 at age 45, in which she spoke with delight about the growth of Utada, who was 13 at the time, and even performed a performance for Kuroyanagi of her singing voice from before her major debut. After watching the video, Utada remarked with emotion, "I had no idea she'd told me so many stories about herself..."
Furthermore, the program will feature a scene in which Utada will perform an imitation of a certain person in response to Kuroyanagi's "unreasonable request." To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the program, "Celebrating! Tetsuko's Room 50th Anniversary: Super Luxury! Celebration Special with the Whole Entertainment Industry" will be broadcast from 5:00 pm to 8:56 pm on February 1st.
Appearances announced include Snow Man's Meguro Ren, Akashiya Sanma, Shofutei Tsurube, Asada sisters Mai and Mao, Miyazawa Rie, Hirano Remi, Shimizu Michiko, Moriyama Ryoko, Koizumi Kotaro, Takashima Chisako, Fujimori Shingo, Terao Akira, Takada Junji, Ishihara Yoshizumi, and Sandwich Man's Date Mikio and Tomizawa Takeshi.
