Season 9 • Episode 47
LatestSMAP×SMAP was an ongoing weekly Japanese variety show on Kansai TV and Fuji TV starring the members of SMAP. The show began on April 15, 1996 and it aired from 22:00 to 22:54 every Monday. The show's usual ratings were higher than 20%, which is considered high since most variety shows range from 10-20%. Each episode begins a variety of skits, comedic performances, and/or games. These are followed by Bistro SMAP, in which the SMAP members compete against each other to impress celebrity judges with their gourmet cooking. Last is a musical performance by SMAP which may include celebrity guests, as well.
Acting
Genuine chemistry from 20+ years together
Production
Bizarre format that somehow never got old
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
SMAP dominated Japanese pop culture for two decades; this show helped cement variety television as appointment viewing. The group's 2016 breakup ended an era.
Takuya Kimura became a household name partially through this show, later starring in international films like '2046' and 'Hero'.
JP
