Downtown's No-Laughing! New Year's Special

Everyone one loves watching the YouTube videos of Japanese comedians maiming themselves in name of comedy. For senseless hilarity there is no better than Hitoshi Matsumoto and Masatoshi Hamada of Downtown fame. Matchan and Hamachan, as they are affectionately known, are joined by Hosei Yamasaki, and Cocorico duo Shozo Endo and Naoki Tanaka for a new years tradition that now rivals the 63 consecutive years musical bonanza of Kohaku Uta Gassen.

But every New Year's Eve my TV is set to watch the 6 hour feast of slapstick, scares and tomfoolery that these 5 guys inflict on each other in Downtown's Gaki no Tsukai, in their yearly "No-Laughing! Batsu Game" special. This year sees a return to a school setting, hopefully it'll live up to the 2005 classic, which is one of my favourite episodes. It's also one of the best ways to pick up on some Japanese that you won't find in any textbook.

I read an interview with Matchan last week stating that since he is turning 50 next year, he is getting too old, and he might have to give up on the slapstick and fart jokes. So fingers crossed that this isn't the last year we see Down Town's "No Laughing" special.

So, Happy New Year to everyone, and until next time.... ANDY OUT!

Really, this is just an excuse to post this video: