The final episode of the long-running program "Akko ni Omakase!" (TBS, 11:45 AM), hosted by entertainer Akiko Wada, aired on March 29th, bringing to a close its history of approximately 40 years and 6 months and 1963 episodes.
"Akko ni Omakase!" began airing on October 6, 1985. It has been a beloved Sunday afternoon program throughout the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras. In September 2020, it was inducted into the Guinness World Records as the longest-running live variety show with the same host.
Of the 1963 broadcasts, Wada was absent only a few times, including due to a traffic accident in February 2000, a performance at the Apollo Theater in New York in September 2008, and contracting COVID-19 in April 2022.
In the final episode, it was announced that the Guinness World Record had been broken after 40 years and 174 days, and Wada was surprised with a commemorative plaque. In addition, all the cast members surprised Wada by singing his famous song "It's You Who Rings That Bell," which brought him to tears. At the end, he joked, "I'm overwhelmed with emotion right now... This isn't good, is it? Someone should hit me..." before saying goodbye, "I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much."
