I can't believe this monday was the LAST episode of Arashi no Shukudai-kun that we'll EVER see!! I know it only went on for 3 years but it was so good and Arashi is so popular that I didn't feel it would end.
But that's the difference between North America and Japan. In Japan, shows have set periods and then they move on to new projects. In North America, if a show is popular they run it and run it until you start to hate the show and then they abruptly cancel it and quickly throw together an ending.
It's hard to say which style I like best though as it's nice to have a story that progresses, and the main characters getting closer (Japan) rather than episodes upon episodes when the main characters get together only to have some terrible tragedy befall them where they're back to square one (North America). It's nice to actually SEE what happens to the characters BEFORE you start to hate the show. Although, every time I watch a Japanese drama I keep thinking "I want to see more!! Continue the story! Show me what happens next!".... I'm so confused!! Which is best???
But, back to Shukudai-kun. I still haven't seen the last episode as my computer is being a butt-head so I can't watch it on KeyHole TV without a MASSIVE lag and really pixelated images. It's the memory. I have to get it fixed.
I heard, though, that it was really sentimental (as all final episodes are) and they looked back on the funny past episodes (like they always do). I'm really looking forward to seeing it once I find it online! And once I do I'll write a separate post.
Today, though, was another sad goodbye. SMAP's Nakai-san's show Utaban is being put on "indefinite hiatus". This morning was their final 3 hour live special where they showed clips from the past 13 AND A HALF YEARS!! and said goodbye. It was interesting (even if I did fall asleep during the first hour 'cuz it was at 6:50am my time and I stayed up late) and the final announcement was even more interesting!!
They both stood up and said, "Now, we have some heavy news. You know, it's been a long run. 13 and a half years. But, you know, we have to move on to different projects. And, so here's a video about that" and proceeded to show a clip that said, "New show starting soon ... MC'd by Nakai-san and Taka-san!!" At that point, everyone's like "WHAT????".
And then they introduced the name of their new show "The Music Awards" (ザ・ミュジックアワー) that will start April 20 (I think). I have no idea about the format and currently it says nothing on the TBS website because they were keeping it a secret for the big reveal on the special episode. But, hopefully we'll get new info soon.
It's definitely interesting though that they creating a new show for Nakai-san and Taka-san just when Arashi is getting their new show called "Arashi ni shiyagare" on Saturdays. Perhaps they're trying to start a contest!!
Regardless, I think they'll both do very well but I'll only be watching Arashi's show on a regular basis.
嵐、新番組おめでと～！！がんばれ～！！
