『めちゃイケ』22年の歴史に幕（C）フジテレビ
FUJI TV’s “Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!” has been entertaining households since October 1996 when it came onto the scene known as “Mecha-Mecha Iketeru! – What A COOL we are!-“. In fact, people watched even earlier with the first incarnation of the show “Mecha Mcha Motetai” (known as “Mecha Mote”) which aired back in October 1995.
For 22 years, the popular variety show came to a close on March 31st.
The show had one of the largest casts which starred comedy (owarai) duo Ninety-Nine (Takashi Okamura and Yabe Hiroyuki), also appearing on the show was owarai duo Gokuraku Tonbo featuring Katou Kouji and Yamamoto Keiichi, owarai duo Yoiko featuring Hamaguchi Masaru and Arino Shinya, actress/model Hinagata Akiko, singer/model Suzuki Sarina, owarai duo Oasis featuring Mitsuura Yasuko and Okubo Kayoko, musician Takeda Shinji, owarai comedy duo Gotou Junpei and Fukutoku Shuusuke, owarai comedy duo Tanpopo featuring Kawamura Emiko and Shiratori Kumiko, model Atsushi and talent Shigemori Satomi.
On March 31st, the final episode aired in a five-hour special which began at 6:30 p.m. through 11:40 p.m.
The first four and a half hours (6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) featured the best moments from the series and around 10:00 p.m. featured a gathering of all cast members having their final dinner together and giving their tearful farewell speeches and what the show had brought to them but also how NINETY-NINE changed their lives.
One of the saddest moments in the show is when Okamura Takashi said his speech, which took awhile, as he was tearful. But to the surprise of everyone, breaking the sadness was the appearance of Akashiya Sanma dressed up in his popular Padenen outfit.
The special would end with each member given a graduation book by Fuji TV chief Kataoka Asuka, each reading from the book and the special finale would end with Okamura reading the book on the beach and then joining the cast members walking on the beach for a final farewell as everyone says goodbye to the camera.
“Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!” would average a 14.3% rating (October 19, 1996-March 17, 2018), with its highest audience rating on October 9, 2004 (for the “Mecha-Mecha Iketeru! All Star Yume no Gekitotusu 8-shunen Dai kansha Special!!”/Mecha-Mecha Iketeru! All Star Dream Clash 8th Anniversary Great Special) with a 33.2% rating.
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