description SMAPxSMAP Overview
SMAPxSMAP was a Japanese variety and talk show featuring the idol group SMAP, which aired on Fuji TV from April 1996 to December 2016. The program featured a mix of comedy sketches, interviews, and games, and was a staple of Japanese television. One of its most popular recurring segments was "Bistro SMAP," where group members cooked meals for celebrity guests. The show's finale marked one of the highest-rated variety broadcasts in Japanese television history.
help SMAPxSMAP FAQ
How long did SMAPxSMAP air on Japanese television?
SMAPxSMAP aired on Fuji TV every Monday night from April 1996 to December 2016, running for approximately 20 years. It was one of the highest-rated and longest-running variety shows in Japanese television history, ending the same year SMAP officially disbanded.
What were the show's most popular recurring segments?
The most iconic segment was 'Bistro SMAP,' in which SMAP members cooked meals for celebrity guests ranging from Japanese politicians to Hollywood actors promoting films in Japan. The show was also known for ending musical performances and comedy sketches, frequently featuring collaborations between SMAP and international guest artists.
Why did SMAPxSMAP end in 2016?
The show's cancellation followed a highly publicized controversy in January 2016, when four of the five SMAP members reportedly attempted to leave their management agency Johnny & Associates but were forced to remain after manager Julie Fujishima's intervention. The group appeared on SMAPxSMAP to apologize to fans on live television, and the show ended later that year ahead of SMAP's official disbandment on December 31, 2016.
Were all five SMAP members regular hosts on the show?
Yes, all five members—Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori—appeared as regular hosts throughout the show's 20-year run. Nakai frequently served as the lead MC, while different members took point on various cooking, comedy, and interview segments.
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