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last yr.

Japanese Comedian Nasubi Unwittingly Stars in Extreme Reality TV Show for 15 Months

Nasubi, a Japanese comedian, endured a grueling 15-month ordeal on a reality TV show without realizing his suffering was broadcast to millions, now detailed in the Hulu documentary 'The Contestant'.

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Tomoaki Hamatsu, a.k.a. Nasubi, as seen in the documentary “The Contestant.”

Overview

  • Nasubi was misled into participating in a reality TV show, believing he was competing for prizes, not realizing he was being filmed for public broadcast.
  • He endured extreme conditions, surviving on sweepstakes prizes alone, which included uncooked rice and dog food, while naked and isolated.
  • The show, 'Susunu! Denpa Shōnen', gained massive viewership, exploiting Nasubi's hardships for entertainment without his consent.
  • Nasubi's ordeal, which he believed was a personal challenge, was actually a popular segment on Japanese TV, watched by millions each week.
  • The new documentary 'The Contestant' explores the ethical implications of the show and Nasubi's subsequent struggle with his unwitting fame and personal trauma.