MM was on Utaban...sort of

[tsukinobyouin]

MM only gets to be on TV about once a year, so when it happens we should talk about it! MM + OG's appearance on Utaban is up on H!O in a few different resolutions, so go grab it, watch it, and then come back to discuss!



(Spoiler space)















....... It sucked.



One one side we have current MM in their Onna ga Medatte outfits, on the other we have the OG team of Yuko, Kaori, Kei, Nacchi, Tsuji, Rika, and Makoto dressed in Morning Coffee themed outfits. The large majority of the show is a series of flashbacks of MM's history on Utaban, which I guess is nice for anyone who's never seen these clips, but lame for anyone who has.



The OG's are wearing badges to tell us what they do with their lives these days. Makoto's job is being bilingual, Tsuji's job is being a popular mom, Yuko's job is doing jack shit (no, seriously), Kei is an actress, and I believe the rest essentially are singers (they don't focus much on Kaori or Rika).



As for current MM, I hope you like Reina, JunJun, LinLin, Sayu, or Aika, because they're the only ones that speak all show. And really, I could say "I hope you like JunJun" because she spoke more than any of the rest of them. Which isn't even saying much.



Once again they do the press a button secretly to answer this question thing, with 95% of the questions being directed soley at the OG's. And once again, they focus a lot on trying to expose things from the old days that the girls can talk about now that they're old and no one cares about them. Sounds scandelous and exciting right? It isn't. Yuko was mean to people. Some of the girls were hit on by famous male celebs omg!!! But they can't say who. Tsuji tells us she was the one to initiate things with her husband. Taka once again does not give a shit about anyone that isn't Nacchi.



Oh hey but what about current MM? Have any of them been hit on by male celebs? Oh no of course not. And they don't have boyfriends either. Because they'd totally tell us if they did.



In conclusion, you should all go watch Shabekuri 007 instead. It's been subbed by HPS and is much more interesting. Same concept, new MM with OG team (just with Mari and Yossi switched out for Nacchi and Tsuji). They again try to ~*reveal stuff*~ but actually do get a few interesting tidbits out of the girls. (Next sentences are spoilers, I'm not blacking it out just stop reading you can do it.) Mari didn't like Jankenpyon and TsujiKago made her cry when she was Minimoni's leader. She also talks a little about how her conversation went with management when she resigned. Sayu calls her a bad role model xD Yossi practically admits to being a lesbian, and Kaori DOES admit that she thought Yossi was a lesbian. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':whip:' /> JunLin complain that they're the most neglected in all of MM, and everyone tells Reina to stfu and not complain because she's a center girl. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />

[EmEl]

The Utaban writers and producers have shown that they do not care enough about the current generation of Morning Musume to bother coming up with anything interesting when they are on the show. I suppose going to old running gags is easier than actually working at being funny in new situations. Although, as PQ mentioned in the "Onna ga..." thread, at least the performance's background was pretty damn cool (hot?). Fancy. I guess Morning Coffee outfits are always welcome.



(Does Utaban still get good ratings? Maybe it was worth it for the girls for a boost in sales.)



Shabekuri was far better: in addition to some fan subtitling it for me to understand, it had Yaguchi and Yoshizawa in it. Even those dudes were funny.

[tsukinobyouin]

[quote name='EmEl' post='75023' date='Feb 3 2010, 09:18 AM']Shabekuri was far better: in addition to some fan subtitling it for me to understand, it had Yaguchi and Yoshizawa in it. Even those dudes were funny.[/quote]



Whatever parts of Utaban you didn't understand, I can pretty much guarantee you didn't miss much. The talk with the OG's was fairly similar to Shabekuri (other than tidbits I mentioned above - some unnamed male celebs offered up their numbers to Nacchi, Rika, and Kaori at some point during their MM career). Here's what MM said:



Reina: YUKO SUCKS

Most everyone else: YEAH BITCH IS SCARY

Two anon MM girls: REINA SUCKS

JunJun: HEY PAY ATTENTION TO US. HEEEEY.

Aika: I DO NOT LOOK LIKE THAT OLD GUY.

Sayu: I AM SOOO CUTE.

[al kusanagi]

Let's see... Legendary OG MM members from back when they were a cultural phenomenon and Utaban was entertaining, or interchangeable idol girls whom 99% of the population couldn't identify... I wonder who's gonna get more screen time?



Yeah, I'm being a bit harsh on the current members, but it's still a pretty realistic view. Had MM still appeared on Utaban nearly every other month like back in the good old days, I'm sure that at least Sayumi and Junjun would become favorites of the hosts, but that's not going to happen. Makoto was the last member they truly took a liking to, and that was waaaaaay back in the day when she basically became Kei 2.0 to them.

[tsukinobyouin]

[quote name='Al Kusanagi' post='75031' date='Feb 3 2010, 01:47 PM']Let's see... Legendary OG MM members from back when they were a cultural phenomenon and Utaban was entertaining, or interchangeable idol girls whom 99% of the population couldn't identify... I wonder who's gonna get more screen time?[/quote]



It's not surprising who gets more screen time - but it is sad that Utaban can't come up with anything original to talk to the "golden girls" about. The conversation was basically the exact same stuff OG has talked about on the last 5 shows they've been on. Even they didn't get that much (new) screen time, considering half of the show was old clips.

[eri]

[quote name='TnB' post='75037' date='Feb 3 2010, 12:07 PM']it is sad that Utaban can't come up with anything original to talk to the "golden girls" about. The conversation was basically the exact same stuff OG has talked about on the last 5 shows they've been on.[/quote]



I guess that is all they can do since no one has been doing anything new in their careers either. Plus, it probably brings ratings out of nostalgia people have for that generation.



It is easy to blame the hosts but I find that the girls don't work very hard in making themselves interesting. One might argue that the hosts' over-emphasis on gen 1-3 hurt everyone else. In fact, I've got tons of old videos of Rika being boring and ignored much of the time. However, all the 4th generation pried their way into the hosts' circle of attention and by the end, Tsuji was a special favorite of Nakai. They never quite warmed up to Yossi or Rika but they always gave them screen and talk time.



It was REALLY different with 5th gen. They never got much screen time because they were shy at first but they never quite pushed out either. Mako was like Kei 2.0 and Takahashi was sort of a weirdo they could mock once in a while. But unlike 4th gen...that is it! Then when the older girls graduated and it became a death cycle of boringness and unfamiliarity. Sayumi's cutesy act also probably wouldn't work against the hosts. They thrive on weirdness and earnestness (Kaori when she was crazy, Kei, Nacchi, Maki, Tsuji). They never work well with self-aware and self-styled idols -- they were weird with Matsuura too.

[tsukinobyouin]

[quote name='mEri' post='75040' date='Feb 3 2010, 04:08 PM']It is easy to blame the hosts but I find that the girls don't work very hard in making themselves interesting. One might argue that the hosts' over-emphasis on gen 1-3 hurt everyone else. In fact, I've got tons of old videos of Rika being boring and ignored much of the time. However, all the 4th generation pried their way into the hosts' circle of attention and by the end, Tsuji was a special favorite of Nakai. They never quite warmed up to Yossi or Rika but they always gave them screen and talk time.



It was REALLY different with 5th gen. They never got much screen time because they were shy at first but they never quite pushed out either. Mako was like Kei 2.0 and Takahashi was sort of a weirdo they could mock once in a while. But unlike 4th gen...that is it! Then when the older girls graduated and it became a death cycle of boringness and unfamiliarity. Sayumi's cutesy act also probably wouldn't work against the hosts. They thrive on weirdness and earnestness (Kaori when she was crazy, Kei, Nacchi, Maki, Tsuji). They never work well with self-aware and self-styled idols -- they were weird with Matsuura too.[/quote]



Utaban is a heavily scripted show though, so it doesn't have as much to do with the hosts or the guests as it does on some other variety shows. But Mari did mention on Shabekuri that during the early days, they were under a lot stricter management when it came to TV appearances. They were told that everyone had to speak at least once, and when they failed to do so they got yelled at for it. I think 1st and 2nd gen in particular were more scared into being interesting than they were just natural born awesome people. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':whip:' />



Really, I think Utaban has just run it's course in general, not just with MM. It doesn't have the spark it used to, and a lot of the same jokes are repeated over and over, and it seems like they cram more guests into one episode than they used to, so even "bigger name" stars get less time to really get going.

[Special Needs Tricycle]

Apparently, Akimoto Yasushi is a writer on Utaban.



Take that as you will. :T

[stoveroad]

Clips of Rika's inexplicable chicken phobia are always funny.



Junjun is the worst singer but the only one willing to put her neck out for air time.



Being bilingual has actually made Makoto less interesting.



Tsuji looks like a damn frog now.

[eri]

Oh it finally downloaded. I was thoroughly amused haha. It was fascinating how they managed to clip out Kago almost completely.

[Farrah]

[quote name='Special Needs Tricycle' post='75058' date='Feb 3 2010, 08:11 PM']Apparently, Akimoto Yasushi is a writer on Utaban.



Take that as you will. :T[/quote]



Oh~ that feels like it explains a lot, not gonna lie.

[alita87]

[quote name='Ang' post='75086' date='Feb 5 2010, 02:31 AM'][quote name='Special Needs Tricycle' post='75058' date='Feb 3 2010, 08:11 PM']Apparently, Akimoto Yasushi is a writer on Utaban.



Take that as you will. :T[/quote]



Oh~ that feels like it explains a lot, not gonna lie.

[/quote]



That... explains way too much. Definitely conflicts with his interests to have Musume actually be interesting on it. Though has AKB actually been on Utaban? I don't pay enough attention to their tv appearances to know.

[thamychan]

[quote name='Special Needs Tricycle' post='75058' date='Feb 3 2010, 11:11 PM']Apparently, Akimoto Yasushi is a writer on Utaban.



Take that as you will. :T[/quote]

Now I see.



But really, I'm tired of OG, since 2006, I think, all I hear is about OG versus current Momusu. Does the group want to reaffirm themselves as the new Morning Musume or never let us forget there were the others? And I know OG was interesting, probably more interesting and that the current line up is also interesting, blabla... But couldn't everyone go their way? It's not like they were the best of friends of friends or anything. Some were, others still are but the old group didn't get their fame comparing themselves in every performance to Onyanko Club or whatever.



It was interesting in the beginning. I was even happy with that Love Machine performance in Kouhaku. But now it seems they only get TV invitations if they show up with the OG's, as if it were the OG's still doing the hard work to get the group famous... Once in a blue moon it is good but not in every interview!



Okay, sorry for that... But it's really irritating me how UF has been promoting both M-line and Morning Musume.

[EmEl]

Now, let's not get carried away. I don't think there's some sort of conspiracy here. Akimoto probably doesn't even care about the show anymore than it makes him money, and his group of girls is currently in no way threatened by MM past or present. I think it's just easy for Utaban to use the old girls because they have no incentive to use the new ones since it's not like Morning Musume is an instant rating boost anymore. But if Utaban is still influential (I have no clue if it is), then it works the other way too: if they put effort into the appearance of the new girls, then more people would know the girls.

[al kusanagi]

Because if there were no OGs still around, I imagine there are tons of fans who wouldn't bother giving two shits about MM at all. Unless you were a fan back in the early 00's, you can't possibly fathom just how HUGE and all pervasive they were in Japanese popular culture at the time. I like the current MM girls, but they are literally less than 10% of what MM was back in the glory days, specifically the Maki era.

[Madara]

[quote name='Al Kusanagi' post='75159' date='Feb 6 2010, 02:07 AM']Because if there were no OGs still around, I imagine there are tons of fans who wouldn't bother giving two shits about MM at all. Unless you were a fan back in the early 00's, you can't possibly fathom just how HUGE and all pervasive they were in Japanese popular culture at the time. I like the current MM girls, but they are literally less than 10% of what MM was back in the glory days, specifically the Maki era.[/quote]



Funny you should mention that. My latest blog entry is a tribute to Maki's final year in MM.

[Cyrene]

[quote name='Madara' post='75164' date='Feb 5 2010, 09:51 AM'][quote name='Al Kusanagi' post='75159' date='Feb 6 2010, 02:07 AM']Because if there were no OGs still around, I imagine there are tons of fans who wouldn't bother giving two shits about MM at all. Unless you were a fan back in the early 00's, you can't possibly fathom just how HUGE and all pervasive they were in Japanese popular culture at the time. I like the current MM girls, but they are literally less than 10% of what MM was back in the glory days, specifically the Maki era.[/quote]



Funny you should mention that. My latest blog entry is a tribute to Maki's final year in MM.

[/quote]





This has NOTHING to do with MM on Utaban, but I'm so proud that you use that blog I made you. Brings a tear to my eye, really. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... nceman.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':danceman:' />

[Haru]

Hi.

Am I allowed to be stupid for a minute?

...what's an OG? Original generation?

I'm sure that's the answer but I just want to make sure.

It took me like three months to figure out UFA was Up-Front Agency, and not "up for adoption" like in my old Neopets days.



Too lazy to download it. Searching on YouTube now.

I watched the Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai performance. That was...blinding, to say the least.

[Special Needs Tricycle]

I think OG means Old Girls. I think it's a term used for school graduates?

[al kusanagi]

In Japan, OG typically means "Original Generation," but in MM's case it seems to apply to former members (Although personally I wouldn't apply it for the 5th gen and on).



It also means Original Gangsta, which Yuko totally is.



And, Yuko, if you're reading this, I'd be more than happy to be your slightly younger boytoy. Hell, I'll even make do with Kei after a couple of Scotch on the rocks.

[Special Needs Tricycle]

Nope, it means old girl! :T



http://coco-su.com/faq/obog/05.html

[Haru]

Ah. Thank you for excusing my stupidity.

In my defense, I Googled OG and got Ice-T's fourth studio album. XD

[al kusanagi]

[quote name='Special Needs Tricycle' post='75175' date='Feb 5 2010, 02:48 PM']Nope, it means old girl! :T



http://coco-su.com/faq/obog/05.html[/quote]



Among other things. It's been used in gaming and anime as "Original Generation" since at least 2002, and "Original Gangster" since at least the 80s.

[Special Needs Tricycle]

Oh. I've only heard of Japan using it as graduates. And Original Gangster, but I've never heard of Japan using it like that.

[aisasami]

[quote name='alita87' post='75146' date='Feb 5 2010, 09:54 AM'][quote name='Ang' post='75086' date='Feb 5 2010, 02:31 AM'][quote name='Special Needs Tricycle' post='75058' date='Feb 3 2010, 08:11 PM']Apparently, Akimoto Yasushi is a writer on Utaban.



Take that as you will. :T[/quote]



Oh~ that feels like it explains a lot, not gonna lie.

[/quote]



That... explains way too much. Definitely conflicts with his interests to have Musume actually be interesting on it. Though has AKB actually been on Utaban? I don't pay enough attention to their tv appearances to know.

[/quote]



I always thought that Akimoto held a grudge over Morning Musume, especially after they made his 90's Onyanko Club revival disappear with only a few notable people.





[quote name='EmEl' post='75157' date='Feb 5 2010, 11:56 AM']Now, let's not get carried away. I don't think there's some sort of conspiracy here. Akimoto probably doesn't even care about the show anymore than it makes him money, and his group of girls is currently in no way threatened by MM past or present. I think it's just easy for Utaban to use the old girls because they have no incentive to use the new ones since it's not like Morning Musume is an instant rating boost anymore. But if Utaban is still influential (I have no clue if it is), then it works the other way too: if they put effort into the appearance of the new girls, then more people would know the girls.[/quote]



I don't think it's a conspiracy. I heard Johnny does it all the time on his own television programs. I heard that Johnny blackmailed avex boybands (like DA PUMP and such) off his television channels and programs in order to stress more on his boyband empire while making a good paycheck. But, as for OG on Utaban, I don't think there is much of an issue because the host LOVED the older generation girls if you saw in previous episodes. I bet they are still best freinds off screen with most of them, especially Kei and Kaori (Didn't one go to Kaori's wedding or something relating to Kaori recently?)

[diav]

I watched this last week and... yeah... it did suck. 15 minutes of old yet amusing clips = I could just go back and watch those episodes again. I was terribly amused by the cameraman and how he just scared Rika... XD But that was all... That Shabekuri 007 episode was better than this Utaban one.

[matti]

[quote name='TnB' post='75022' date='Feb 3 2010, 05:04 PM'](Next sentences are spoilers, I'm not blacking it out just stop reading you can do it.)







































Yossi practically admits to being a lesbian, and Kaori DOES admit that she thought Yossi was a lesbian. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />[/quote]





Yaaaaah, I went to watch that clip on youtube after reading this and I got to admit that Yossi was really sad looking when Rika told what Yossi had said to her at the bar: "This might come out of blue... but you are really cute". I really hope she is being true to herself and doesn't end up staying in the closet and being miserable. Not that I know what her preferences are but I hope her nothing but happiness. She was a great personality to MM chemistry set.