The Explosive Center of Expression: Terry Ito and the Experimental Spirit of Late-Night Television in the 1980s

The Explosive Center of Expression: Terry Ito and the Experimental Spirit of Late-Night Television in the 1980s
In the 1980s, the Japanese television industry was undergoing a period of change. In particular, Tokyo 12 Channel (now TV Tokyo) took advantage of the free slots in the late-night slot and dared to produce experimental programs. Director Terry Ito was at the forefront of this trend, expanding the possibilities of television expression through his unconventional planning and direction. The programs he created created a novel style that could be considered the prototype for "Genki ga De Deku TV" (Genki Deku TV: Takeshi the Genius), and influenced later commercial variety programs. As subculture fever centering on Shinjuku and Shibuya grew among young people, television functioned as a loudspeaker. Terry's direction involved comedians and amateurs and continued to challenge society and stereotypes with expression on the edge. The challenge of the late-night shows of the 1980s was an experiment in freedom that will be etched in the history of television.