Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!, often abbreviated Gaki no Tsukai or just Gaki Tsuka, is a Japanese variety show hosted by popular Japanese owarai duo, Downtown, with comedian Hōsei Tsukitei and owarai duo Cocorico co-hosting. The program has been broadcast on Nippon TV since its pilot episode on October 3, 1989 and continues to this day, celebrating its 1000th episode on April 18, 2010. The program currently broadcasts on Nippon TV and its regional affiliates from 23:25 until 23:55 JST.
Cast
Regular cast
Downtown, one of the most influential and prolific kombi in Japan, who are known for their sarcastic, short-tempered stage personas.
*Hitoshi Matsumoto, the boke half of Downtown. Absurdism, sarcasm, and a blunt, ill-tempered persona make up his comedic style. Deadpan is his forté, but he can slip into exaggerated reactions as well. He is often described as an "M", or masochist.
*Masatoshi Hamada, the tsukkomi half of Downtown. His quick temper, displays of schadenfreude, and tendency to hit people on their heads are notorious in the owarai world. He is often described as an "S", or sadist.
Hōsei Tsukitei, part of the regular cast since 1990. His role on the show is usually divided up between the suberi-kyara and the ijime-kyara. Formerly known as Hōsei Yamasaki on the show, however at times the rest of the regulars will call him Yamachan or Hosei-san.
Cocorico, part of the regular cast since 1997.
*Naoki Tanaka, the boke half of Cocorico.
*Shōzō Endō, the tsukkomi half of Cocorico.
Supporting cast
. A comedy duo that works at the show and has occasionally joined the regular cast. Fujiwara is also known as "Vacuum Fujiwara" because of his eating ability, which is used as a running gag in some skits.
Jimmy Onishi. Often called by his stage name, "Jimmy Onishi". Left the regular cast in 1996 to pursue a painting career. He has subsequently made several appearances in pre-taped segments that are shown to the cast in the "No-Laughing" batsu games, since 2005. In the videos, Onishi portrays an inane version of himself appearing in various roles, saying or doing things that are inane/off-the-wall, usually repeatedly, in an attempt to make the cast laugh. His most infamous recurring trait is his difficulty pronouncing the English language.
. Chief producer. Appears in various sketches often as himself or as various characters during batsu games. As well as appearing in person during these, his likeness is often used for comedic effect in various ways—for instance, appearing on humorous posters, or as a stone bust. The name "Gāsū", a reversal of the kana in his given name, is also referenced in similar ways. He retired from the show in late 2017.
. Chief director. Usually referred to by his nickname, Heipō. Several sketches and games are based on his complete inability to stomach scary things and his perverted nature. He also appears whenever the cast needs an extra man around such as in "Silent Library" and "No Laughing at the News Agency" where he and Tanaka were paired up to do a Blair Witch kind of challenge in a nearby forest. He also took Hamada's place in the "Kiki Ketchup" series when the former was hospitalized.
. Downtown's former manager. Often seen portraying a female character during batsu games, where he meets up with the participants and guides them through the game. He often stutters. He also generally displays a great deal of incompetence in serious matters.
. Producer of the show, often used when a sixth person is needed for a skit. Has appeared in batsu games and has shown his ability to withstand pain.
Itsuji Itao. A member of the comedy duo 130R and former cast member of Downtown's Gottsu Ee Kanji. Appears often in batsu games. Itao has had six different women portraying his "wife" throughout the series, one of whom, Sherri, is best known for her dancing along to Madonna in the No Laughing High School batsu game and the No Laughing at the Police Station batsu game.
Recurring guests
Ameagari Kesshitai. A comedy duo that has occasionally joined the regular cast.
Obachan Ichigo浅見千代子 and Obachan Sango三城晃子 ; literally, Old Lady #1 and Old Lady #3. Two elderly women who often appear in the batsu games
