Comedian Razor Ramon HG (Hard Gay) has shot to the top of the charts. The chart, that is, of the TV personalities parents most definitely don’t want their kids watching. The perennial favorites, such as Yoshimoto comedians London Boots and Downtown and cartoon tyke Crayon Shin-chan, are still despised as much as ever. But Yoshimoto member and former wrestler Hard Gay has really made a big impact over the last few months, with his trademark aviator sunglasses, black leather hot pants, pelvic thrusting and cry of “Foooh!” This week, his lesser-known comedy partner Razor Ramon RG made a rare appearance at the launch of HG’s first book, entitled simply “HG.” Not to be outdone by his over-the-top sidekick, RG stripped down to a skimpy red fundoshi (thong) and the pair pranced around for the media. But back to the rankings – the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun polled 1,000 of its readers, and HG came out on top with 434 votes, easily beating London Boots at 253 and Downtown at 143. Also in the Top 10 was fortune teller and writer Hosoki Kazuko (whose book sales have earned her a place in the Guinness Book of Records). Her mix of arrogant preaching and grandmotherly advice seems to make her equally loved and hated by viewers.
Asked about specific programs they hate, readers chose “London Hearts,” followed by “Crayon Shin-chan” and “Kisu Dake ja Iya,” which features comedian Shimada Shinsuke chatting with young couples who are breaking up, having affairs or other sordid stuff. Shinsuke himself made the unpopular Top 10, no doubt partly due to last year’s assault on a female colleague that led to his tearful apology on live TV.