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Jun 19, 20261
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Rainbow's Jambou Takao Reveals Why New York Hasn't 'Sold' Despite M-1 Success
Rainbow's Jambou Takao revealed on "Ame-Toーーク!" that despite being respected by peers and receiving strong promotional support, the comedy duo New York never achieved mainstream commercial success even after their M-1 Grand Prix appearance. Takao expressed bewilderment at how the duo eventually obtained prominent television roles despite this lack of commercial breakthrough.




Quick Facts
Who
Jambou Takao
What
Jambou Takao appeared on 'Ame-Toーーク!' and discussed New York's career
When
June 18, 2026 (broadcast)
Where
TV Asahi
- Jambou Takao appeared on 'Ame-Toーーク!' and discussed New York's career
- Takao revealed that New York never achieved mainstream commercial success despite being respected
- Discussion about New York's appearances in major comedy competitions
- Takao expressed confusion about how New York obtained prominent television positions
- Jambou Takao
Jambou Takao of the comedy duo Rainbow appeared on TV Asahi's "Ame-Toーーク!" on June 18, 2026, and made candid revelations about his senior comedian colleague Yashiki Hiromasa of New York. During a segment where comedians speak their minds openly, Takao explained the paradox of New York's career: despite being a charismatic figure in their generation with genuinely funny material and strong backing from Yoshimoto Entertainment, the duo never achieved mainstream commercial success.
Takao, who describes himself as a longtime New York fan, recounted how he watched the duo closely for years. He explained that New York's material was so well-regarded that younger comedians would learn their jokes by word-of-mouth. However, despite this underground respect and their appearance in major competitions like M-1 Grand Prix and King of Contest, they remained commercially unsuccessful. Takao famously stated, "Until they sold, they never got a laugh [on mainstream television] even once," drawing laughter from the studio audience.
The revelation highlighted an unusual career trajectory: after Yashiki's controversial "That's the worst" comment during the 2019 M-1 Grand Prix final gained attention, Takao continued to follow the duo's journey. He expressed bewilderment at how New York eventually transitioned into prominent television positions, hosting golden-hour programs and appearing alongside established entertainers, all seemingly without achieving the traditional markers of comedic success. When asked how he makes sense of this, Takao admitted, "I genuinely don't understand it either." The conversation underscored how New York accumulated prestigious work opportunities despite never experiencing the breakthrough commercial success typical of successful comedians.
Topics
Why This Matters
This story reveals the paradox of entertainment industry success: New York's case demonstrates that critical respect, peer admiration, and competition credentials do not guarantee commercial viability or mainstream audience appeal. For readers interested in entertainment, comedy industries, or career trajectories, it highlights how organizational backing and prestigious opportunities can sometimes bypass traditional commercial validation—a counterintuitive reality that challenges assumptions about how comedians succeed. Understanding this gap helps audiences recognize that visibility and influence in media don't always follow predictable pathways.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2019
WireYashiki's controversial 'That's the worst' comment at M-1 Grand Prix
Jun 18, 2026
WireJambou Takao appears on 'Ame-Toーーク!' and discusses New York's career paradox