Bananaman (comedy duo)
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Bananaman (バナナマン) is a Japanese owarai comedy duo consisting of Osamu Shitara and Yūki Himura.
Career
Shitara and Himura debuted a comedy unit in 1994.[1] Himura had broken up with his previous partner and Shitara was working as the driver of the comedian Masayuki Watanabe, so they formed a duo after a friend introduced them.[1] They concentrated on skit comedy[2], developing a theatrical style that emphasized verbal repartee.[3] In 2008, they came in second on the nationally televised annual King of Conte skit comedy contest.[4] Up until then, Bananaman had concentrated on live performances and DVD releases,[3] but afterwards began to appear more on television. Himura appeared on the most shows (19) of any comedian during the 2009 New Year's period,[5] and the duo received their own show, Banana Fire, for the first time in April 2009.[6] After that, they became the hosts of several other television shows, including Nogizaka tte doko? (with Nogizaka46),[7] Banana-juku,[8] and Why did you come to Japan?.[9] Shitara and Himura also appear by themselves on various programs, with Shitara, for instance, hosting the live news program Nonstop!.[10] In the year 2012, Shitara appeared on more television programs than any other Japanese personality, appearing in 611 programs, 163 with Himura (Himura was ranked 12th with 428 television appearances).[11] Shitara also led the rankings for the first half of 2013.[12]
Members
- Osamu Shitara (設楽 統), born April 23, 1973, in Minano, Saitama
- Yūki Himura (日村 勇紀), born May 14, 1972, in Hiroshima, and moved to Sagamihara, Kanagawa at the age of 3
Television
References
- ^ a b "天才コント職人バナナマン、16年目の今だから語れるいろんな話" (in Japanese). Livedoor. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "バナナマン「"優勝"の称号が欲しい」". News Walker (in Japanese). Kadokawa Magazines. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ a b Tōda, Rarī. "実力派バナナマンを変革に導いた「ブサイク顔面芸」の衝撃". Excite News. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "オロナミンC キングオブコント2008". Geinin.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "２００９- 正月テレビ番組 お笑いタレント出演番組数ランキング発表" (in Japanese). Nihon Monitor. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "設楽と日村も気合十分！『バナナ炎』が『炎炎』とパワーアップ！". Terebi Dogatchi (in Japanese). Presentcast. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "乃木坂46、1周年ライブで謎の発表" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "問題児を更生、バナナマン＆大島麻衣「バナナ塾」DVD化". Owarai Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "Bananaman interview". Terebi Dogatchi (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "バナナマン設楽が初MC、生放送の帯情報番組スタート". Owarai Natalie (in Japanese). Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "バナナマン・設楽が最多出演！" (in Japanese). Nihon Monitor. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "バナナマン・設楽が連覇へ好発進！" (in Japanese). Nihon Monitor. Retrieved 31 August 2013.