深夜#339 おまけ「滑中？早中？」

Photo Book Talk and Announcer Rumors

The episode opens with chat about photo books and style books released by other celebrities, with the hosts praising ones that include written essays and interviews. That leads into buzz over the existence of a photo book by a certain TV announcer. Wondering whether they've actually met her, they run through the names of co-stars who might join her on a Wednesday location shoot, but can't quite place the memory. Talk turns to her unusual background — despite belonging to a Tokyo station, she's a graduate of Osaka City University, a rarity given that Tokyo's female announcers mostly come from well-known private universities or Ochanomizu University. The hosts joke that her family might have had some "connection," and note that her hometown is near Abiko, wondering if there was some unexpected link. They also pass along a rumor that one of their co-stars recently went through a breakup, speculating that something must already have been going on around the New Year's trip to Korea.

Namerikawa "Namerika" Event Buzz, Listener Posts Pour In

The show has repeatedly floated the idea of holding an event in Namerikawa City, Toyama Prefecture — nicknamed "Namerika" — and this episode brings in a flood of listener posts on the subject. A listener from Imizu, Toyama, who attended the "Saraba Live" in Komatsu, Ishikawa, pushes hard for a Namerika show. A listener in Miyazaki says they'd already planned to visit next year for Toyama black ramen and the snow-covered guardrails, and would drive three and a half hours to attend if the show happens. A Namerikawa native now living in Tokyo declares they'd absolutely go home for it, saying they're glad they've kept listening to the show. A high-school listener on the soccer team recounts visiting Namerikawa Station during a team trip, finding no restaurants open because of Wednesday closures, and killing time in the eat-in corner of a supermarket called "Eru."

Hayatsuki Junior High or Namerikawa Junior High?

The episode's title question — "Hayachu or Namechu?" — refers to which of Namerikawa's two junior high schools staff member Shibata attended. The city has both Hayatsuki Junior High School, named for the Hayatsuki River, and Namerikawa Junior High School, and the hosts debate which one counts as more "urban."

Negotiating with the Business Department and Venue Costs

Making the event happen will require sign-off from the business department, and the hosts expect pushback on the grounds that a Tokyo show would draw a bigger crowd. They note that the local venue can reportedly be rented for about 35,000 to 38,000 yen a day even on Sundays, though attendees would need to bring their own chairs. They decide against asking for local help such as putting up posters, and agree to promote the event only through the radio show itself, with no other advertising. They also discuss the possibility of appearing as guests on a local community FM station on the day of the event.

A "Stand-up Comedy" Proposal from America

A listener based in California writes in saying they're more interested in a stand-up comedy attempt than in the Namerika plan, arguing that now is the moment given that Japanese comedians like Yurian and Muramoto are expanding their work there, and offering to help with photography. The hosts warm to the idea and close out the recording by attempting a bit of English-Japanese stand-up comedy themselves.