Series synopsis
Wednesday Downtown, also known as 水曜日のダウンタウン is a Japanese comedy television series that premiered on TBS on April 23, 2014. It stars Masatoshi Hamada and Hitoshi Matsumoto.
Everybody has theories that they personally cling blindly to regardless of proof or scientific validity. In this entertaining information program, a host of celebrities present their cases for pet theories to studio guests by any means be it academic argument or laughably “out there” logic. Can their theories gain acceptance? Or will they be discarded as pop science that only adds confusion to the world? Find out through exhaustive examination including on-location experiments!
Premise
Everybody has theories that they personally cling blindly to regardless of proof or scientific validity. In this entertaining information program, a host of celebrities present their cases for pet theories to studio guests by any means be it academic argument or laughably “out there” logic. Can their theories gain acceptance? Or will they be discarded as pop science that only adds confusion to the world? Find out through exhaustive examination including on-location experiments!
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Masatoshi Hamada as Self - Host
- Hitoshi Matsumoto as Self - Panel Member
Guest cast
- Shintarou Moriyama as Presenter
- Lily as Presenter
- Eiji Kotoge as Presenter
- Shoji Tomoharu as Presenter
- Kannazuki as Presenter
- Oideyasu Oda as Presenter
- Kentaro Koga as Presenter
- Tetsuo as Presenter
- Kôji Nishida as Presenter
- Shōhei Osada as Presenter
- Shun Matsuo as Presenter
- Kazuya Shimasa as Self - Presenter
Episodes
This series spans 14 seasons with 469 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 1 | May 20, 2023 | May 20, 2023 |
| Season 1 | 25 | April 23, 2014 | December 10, 2014 |
| Season 2 | 34 | January 7, 2015 | December 16, 2015 |
| Season 3 | 34 | January 20, 2016 | December 21, 2016 |
| Season 4 | 39 | January 25, 2017 | December 27, 2017 |
| Season 5 | 37 | January 17, 2018 | December 26, 2018 |
| Season 6 | 38 | January 9, 2019 | December 25, 2019 |
| Season 7 | 42 | January 8, 2020 | December 23, 2020 |
| Season 8 | 41 | January 13, 2021 | December 22, 2021 |
| Season 9 | 41 | January 12, 2022 | December 21, 2022 |
| Season 10 | 43 | January 11, 2023 | December 20, 2023 |
| Season 11 | 42 | January 10, 2024 | December 18, 2024 |
| Season 12 | 44 | January 8, 2025 | December 17, 2025 |
| Season 13 | 8 | January 7, 2026 | March 11, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Can a cherry blossom season garbage cleanup fund new cherry trees across Japan? Comedian Akatsu, known for his garbage-collecting activities, heads north along with the cherry blossom front, picking up trash as he goes. Over about a month of cleanup, will he be able to raise enough from recycling to fund the planting of cherry trees by the time he reaches Wakkanai, the famous cherry blossom spot at the northernmost tip of mainland Japan? |
May 20, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Wednesday's Downtown A new program that examines theories brought forward by celebrities. • The theory that all racewalkers are people who gave up in other sports • The theory that delinquent girls are extinct • The theory that North Korea is actually amazing • The theory that the hairstyles of retired sumo wrestlers are generally strange because they have topknots and their pores are pushed back • The theory that no metaphor that hits the heart of the pain of childbirth has yet been found |
April 23, 2014 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 The future of science fiction is too optimistic • It's dangerous to publish a book by a celebrity • The increase in the tax on cheap snacks has reduced the number of hits • Bodybuilders are hammers |
April 30, 2014 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 The value of the humps in the humps of the humps-removing old man is all messed up • No one knows the story of Kintaro • A wave of compliance is sweeping over old folk tales • Horror movies are rigid for the convenience of the filmmakers • The stores in town that seem like they're not doing very well are actually the landlords • The people who bring buckets to public baths are becoming extinct |
May 7, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 [The theory that no one has a huskier voice better than Genichiro Tenryu] [The theory that the volleyball machine is only used in variety shows] [The theory that Hamada is still alive] [The theory that no rich people actually use "zamasu"] |
January 7, 2015 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 [The Hellish Theory of Nippon Elekiteru Rengo at Year-End Parties] [The Theory that Kindaichi's Tricks are Too Acrobatic, Almost Like SASUKE] [The Theory that Child Actors' Crying Triggers Usually Come from Killing Their Mothers] [The Theory That No One Makes a Living Just Playing Cymbals] |
January 14, 2015 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 [The most painful weapon is, surprisingly, a folding chair] [TV shows rely too much on Rocky for background music] [Children are said to be honest, but they are actually surprisingly considerate] [Almost all barbershops have Golgo 13 books] |
January 21, 2015 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 [I'm the one who got pranked the most in 2015] [There are no virgins among rowdy adults] [Customers spending New Year's Eve in a karaoke box always sing a song that gets the party going first] [Mr. Poop and Mr. Penis exist] [Kuro-chan is super suspicious now that he's been cast in a TBS drama series] |
January 20, 2016 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 [Akemi Matsuno believes anything theory] [The meaning of a story changes when it goes through seven languages theory] [The seal of authority still works in Mito theory] [The strongest chanko restaurant is one that has both delicious chanko and strong sumo wrestling skills theory] |
February 3, 2016 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 [The theory that old nicknames are merciless] [The theory that it's impossible to eat sushi according to the lyrics at the tempo of the song "Sushi Kui Ne!"] [The theory that body blows don't have a gradual effect] [The theory that it's impossible to get a perfect score on karaoke with Scatman songs] |
February 10, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 [Sushi Master, Part 3] [As long as the boss doesn't stop cheering, subordinates will never quit] [Tickling becomes bearable after 10 minutes] [Short hair makes you strong-willed] |
January 25, 2017 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 [The theory that you can spend a whole day in a poor-boy style outfit without being noticed, depending on how you act] [The theory that even if someone sings Ai Otsuka's "Sakuranbo" at karaoke after you've been lectured, it's hard to chime in with "one more time"] [The theory that no one plays more roles by themselves than Eddie Murphy in "The Nutty Professor"] [The theory that even Mr. Osu wouldn't be able to say "Osu" if he were hypnotized] |
February 1, 2017 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 There are still Japanese people who have had iron balls put on their feet • Fat people eat surprisingly little • Are stupid celebrities faking it? |
February 8, 2017 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 In a "Where are they now" program, it's not possible to point out someone completely different! • People who are not famous and have their own autograph is cringey! • Locals who live on a peninsula exaggerate it when asked to draw a map of Japan! |
January 17, 2018 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 [The theory that you can easily find a celebrity's ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend if you investigate their hometown] [Mr. Osu's "Osu! Karate-do"] [The theory that even during the year-end and New Year's party season, the fifth round of parties is probably the limit] [The theory that if you search hard enough, you can find someone who looks just like a roughly drawn caricature] |
January 24, 2018 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 [The theory that everyone has passionate fans] [The theory that even amateur bald jokes can be a hit if a bald comedian produces them] [The theory that there are quite a few people over 60 who have been seriously scolded] |
January 31, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Panelists' Theories Special Within convenience store clerks, someone who actually used and hit a robber with the color ball doesn't exist. • The name "Imaru", IMALU is the first one to be named it. • If the person is extremely thirsty, they will be able to drink bitter Senburi tea without noticing anything. • Sibling athletes that are in the same sport, the younger sibling is better at it than the older sibling. • "Uwasa no! Tokyo Magazine" is the program that has the most white hair in Japan. • If the ex-girlfriend is in the audience during manzai, the rhythm and pace of the routine will get all screwed up. |
January 9, 2019 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 The theory that comedians will go along with even the most difficult scenarios they're given ◆The theory that impressionist comedians can pass on an impression to the end through a game of telephone, even if it's their first time doing it ◆The theory that restaurants that only serve one menu item exist in every genre ◆The theory that you can get bingo by saying "Osu" to Mr. Osu |
January 16, 2019 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 A life where you have to cry once every hour: Even with plenty of items to make you cry, it's still tough. ◆The old man who defeated the bear - 1GP ◆Revealing the prank: Even if you're told the name of a fictional show, you can't help but pretend to know it. ◆Ultimately, the smelliest thing is ○ |
January 30, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 The theory that it's easy to lose track of a celebrity while on location - Part 3. Reverse quiz where people on the street are asked "What is your age?" and then asked "How old do you think I look?" - it's difficult to get the right answer theory. |
January 8, 2020 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Theory: If the rural people who let you stay at their house in "Let's Stay in the Countryside!" come to your house and ask to stay, you have no choice but to accept • Theory: If you receive a pinecone from a child, you have no choice but to take it home • Mr. Osu's "Osu! Karate Way" Third Edition |
January 22, 2020 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 2019 Pre-announced Prank • The theory that no matter how late you are, as long as you have the gift of gab, you can keep someone waiting with a phone call saying, "I'll be there soon." |
January 29, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 [The theory that when someone who has yelled "I'm coming right now, wait for me!" on the phone shows up still full of anger, you can't touch them no matter how strange they look - Part 2] [The theory that there are things that are "100% famous for men" and "0% famous for women" - barely exist] |
January 13, 2021 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 If an artist with zero prank experience is being pranked for the first time, even if the content is slightly crude, they'll still fall for it. • Being approached by an older guy sayig he's Demon Kogure, no matter how suspicious, you won't treat him coldly. • In a list of popular comedians among female middle and high school students. No matter what, NON-STYLE shouldn't be on the list anymore. |
January 20, 2021 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Giant Borrowing Competition. • ROAD'S Public Fundraising Chapter 15. |
January 27, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Reiwa's Strongest Dilapidated House Battle, and more Sunshine Ikezaki's family home - the theory that it's still the most dilapidated in the Reiwa era. ▼ For every rice ball eaten, one ball is thrown... a competitive eating × strack-out game. ▼ The theory that if you’re walking while talking on the phone and someone tells you something shocking, you’ll stop walking. |
January 12, 2022 |
| 2 |
Hiding out at Kuro-chan's House, and more Hiding Out at Kuro-chan's House" — Ten small-sized celebrities try to win a prize by hiding in the house while the owner is away! How many hours can they stay hidden without being found? ▼ The theory that a child living in the most distant house from school in Japan wakes up at 5 AM every morning. |
January 19, 2022 |
| 3 |
Feuding Comedians Competition! Speedy Breakup Championship, and more Ranking of Popular Comedians Among Girls in Junior and Senior High Schools — NON STYLE is definitely out of the ranking now. A competition to see which duo can break up the fastest in a 'Feuding Comedians Competition! Speedy Breakup Championship.' |
January 26, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Substitute Bead Chain Karaoke A comedian trapped in a karaoke box deep in the mountains lures out a substitute who seems better at singing than them. They can only escape if the substitute's karaoke score surpasses their own... A hellish chain of lives. |
January 11, 2023 |
| 2 |
Smoker's Showdown: The Last One Standing in a Cigarette Endurance Challenge, and more Substitute Bead Chain Karaoke – Final Chapter ▼ Win the game held once every hour, and you can smoke and go home immediately... Smoker's Showdown: The Last One Standing in a Cigarette Endurance Challenge. |
January 18, 2023 |
| 3 |
A prank where you can't escape the world of a mystery drama until you find the culprit – it's insanely tough, and more A prank where you can't escape the world of a mystery drama until you find the culprit. ▼ The theory that no matter how much garlic you eat, people will still ask you 'Did you eat garlic?' when you meet them. |
January 25, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 The theory that if someone fainted at The Beatles' concert in Japan, they still have to keep listening to The Beatles today, or it would be a lie. ▼ The theory that it would be incredibly scary if you heard threatening words like 'I’m gonna get you' coming from inside a mascot costume. |
January 10, 2024 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Investigation into the most amazing comments comedians have ever heard, Part 3. ▼ The theory that Chance Ohshiro would surprisingly accept it quite easily if his friend Wada, who was once buried together with him in the mountains, were buried in the mountains again. |
January 17, 2024 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 You can’t go home until you manage to find four restaurants in a row that have never been featured on a TV location shoot. ▼ Skillfully incorporating words that appear behind a junior colleague into a scolding session... The theory of the master of scolding. |
January 24, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 New Year's Kuro-chan Real Life Sugoroku Part 1 Without his knowledge, participants are asked to choose numbers from 1 to 6 in their daily lives... and the events that occur on the square they land on actually happen to Kuro-chan! |
January 8, 2025 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 New Year's Kuro-chan Real Life Sugoroku Part 2 Kuro-chan's New Year's Real Life Sugoroku" - Filmed secretly and played for three months! Will Kuro-chan be able to reach the goal safely? |
January 15, 2025 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 New Year's Kuro-chan Real Life Sugoroku Part 3 The goal of the "Real Life Sugoroku" game was "Proposal"! Can Kuro-chan propose to his girlfriend of two years, Richie, and put an end to his 48 years of single life? |
January 22, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Electric Chair Game 2025 "Tetsuya Morita vs. Hiroshi Yamazaki" "Electric Chair Game 2025" Saraba Seishun no Hikari's Morita vs. Aiseki Start's Yamazoe. The theory that you have no choice but to accept it if an acquaintance you approach on the street insists, "I'm the younger twin..." |
January 7, 2026 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 [Emergency Live Broadcast] Kishitakano Takano's 10m High Dive Revenge |
January 21, 2026 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Kishitakano Takano's 10m high dive revenge (week 2) |
January 28, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | TBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 23, 2014 |
| Last aired | March 11, 2026 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | Returning Series |