SMAP×SMAP — Season 1, Episode 2: 1996-04-22
Comedy • 54 min • 21 seasons, 420 episodes • ★ 8.5/10
Episode synopsis
The Bistro Guest is Asano Yuko. The Skits are Mount SMAPmore, Rats & Master Bar, and Furahatake Takusaburo. And the Musical performance is a Karaoke Tribute called Julie. WARNING: Rats & Master Bar - This skit as originally created contains outdated cultural depictions of characters in Blackface. At the time this was acceptable in Japan. It is a parody of Rats & Star a popular Japanese Doo-wop band from the 80s.
About SMAP×SMAP
SMAP×SMAP was an ongoing weekly Japanese variety show on Kansai TV and Fuji TV starring the members of SMAP. The show began on April 15, 1996 and it aired from 22:00 to 22:54 every Monday. The show's usual ratings were higher than 20%, which is considered high since most variety shows range from 10-20%. Each episode begins a variety of skits, comedic performances, and/or games. These are followed by Bistro SMAP, in which the SMAP members compete against each other to impress celebrity judges with their gourmet cooking. Last is a musical performance by SMAP which may include celebrity guests, as well.