Regular(5/15) – Japanese Comedian Tonikaku Is a Big Hit on UK TV

  • 投稿カテゴリー:Regular

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1. Many people have had a bad dream where they suddenly find themselves in a public place wearing only their underwear. But for one Japanese comedian, appearing in public in his underwear isn’t a bad dream at all — it’s a reality.

2. And he wants to appear in front of the British royal family! The comedian, Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura — or just Tonikaku — was a big hit when he recently appeared on Britain’s Got Talent. Although Tonikaku’s act may be familiar in Japan, after performing on the British TV show he was told he was “unique,” “brilliant” and a “genius.”

3. Britain’s Got Talent is a popular competition on British TV in which people perform a variety of acts in front of an audience and four celebrity judges. At the end of every series, one act wins over $300,000 and the chance to perform in front of the British royal family.


Had you heard of Tonikaku before reading the article?

4. Appearing on stage wearing only a bathrobe, Tonikaku shouted “Hello London!” The judges looked worried after he took off his bathrobe and, wearing only his underpants, said, “I can pose naked.”

5. But the judges and audience all laughed after Tonikaku showed his first pose: a “football player naked pose.” When he pretended to kick a ball, he raised his leg to hide his underpants and made it look like he was naked.

(1)Do you watch any talent shows on TV? Which are your favorites?

(2)Who are your favorite comedians?

6. He then showed more poses, such as a “naked horse rider” and James Bond — but each time he told the audience, “Don’t worry, I’m wearing” while pointing at his underpants.

7. All four judges voted “yes” for Tonikaku to enter the next part of the competition, so he still has a chance to perform in front of the royal family — wearing only his underwear.


(1)Have any of your country’s popular comedians had success overseas

(2)Have you been to any live comedy performances?

(3)How does Japanese humor differ from American humor?

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