There were no big surprises in the latest NHK survey of viewers’ favorite TV personalities, announced today. At the top of the male rankings for the sixth year running was comedian Akashiya Sanma, who seems to be on TV every night of the week. He hasn’t been out of the Top 10 for 19 years. He was followed by the usual suspects, comedian, actor and movie director Kitano “Beat” Takeshi and all-rounder Tokoro Joji. Other familiar names included musician Fukuyama Masaharu, comedian Tamori, and SMAP. The only new face was young actor Tsumabuki Satoshi.
Funny woman Hisamoto Masami (photo) was at No.1 in the female rankings for the third year in a row. Next were beautiful actresses Matsushima Nanako and Kuroki Hitomi. Kuroki, who looks a lot younger than her age and appears in a host of TV commercials, was up from last year’s No.21 spot. Another new entry was Yoshimoto comedy troupe member Yamada Hanako.