Earning 620 yen in an hour... 50-year-old comedian TAIGA, who still works part-time, reveals his 'real financial situation' and gives tough love to Audrey's Wakabayashi on his marriage proposal! ABEMA Entertainment follows the life of the 'comedian who can't quit his part-time job.'
ABEMA is now streaming a free documentary featuring the real-life financial struggles of 50-year-old comedian TAIGA.
ABEMA, the 'new future of television,' is currently airing the news program 'ABEMA Entertainment,' which delivers carefully selected entertainment information on the 'ABEMA NEWS Channel.'
In a recent episode of the 'ABEMA Entertainment' documentary series 'NO MAKE,' we exclusively followed the 'now' of TAIGA, a pin comedian who continues to chase his dreams while working part-time jobs to make ends meet, even at age 50—five years after his appearance on the popular show 'Ame Talk!' in the 'Comedians over 40 who can't quit their part-time jobs' segment. The full episode is currently available for free on ABEMA.
(Streaming URL: https://abema.tv/video/episode/89-116_s35_p409)
■ Earning 620 yen in an hour... 50-year-old comedian TAIGA reveals his 'real financial situation'
As the breadwinner for his family with two children aged 7 and 4, TAIGA began working as an Uber Eats delivery driver during the pandemic for its flexible hours. He now rushes to make deliveries in the gaps between dropping off his sons at school and daycare. On this particular day, he earned 620 yen in the hour before dropping his eldest son off at school. Despite the struggle, he shared his reality: 'If I don't earn even one yen, I can't just say "maybe not today" when I think about the costs for my children.' With his comedy income being low, he describes his current situation as '80% Uber, 20% comedian,' and is supported by his wife, who works part-time at a supermarket. While expressing gratitude for his wife, he also revealed his financial anxieties, such as wanting to enroll his second son in swimming lessons but struggling with the cost. Nevertheless, he maintains his pride as a comedian, stating, 'Doing what I love, even if I have to work a part-time job to survive, is more fun. I have a goal, and it's rewarding.'
■ Tough love for Audrey's Wakabayashi! The true face of TAIGA
TAIGA is well-liked by many junior comedians, including Kazlaser of Maple Chogokin and PecoPa. He maintains a close relationship with the comedy duo Audrey, with whom he honed his skills in show pubs during his early days. He shared that he even reached out to Masayasu Wakabayashi when the star announced his hiatus. TAIGA also revealed a story from before Wakabayashi's marriage, where he gave him some 'tough love' regarding his visit to his future wife's parents. 'He's shy, and he thought he shouldn't be too quiet, so he tried to be "funny" and make jokes,' TAIGA recalled. 'I told him, "Don't try to be a comedian there. It's better not to do that."' This showed the deep bond between the two, with TAIGA looking out for his junior's awkward side.
Though he has considered quitting comedy, TAIGA says it is the support of his fellow comedians—like Audrey and PecoPa—that keeps him going. 'They tell me they want me to succeed, and I want to repay that kindness,' he says. The documentary also captures TAIGA performing with all his might in front of an audience of only six people. While he speaks of his love for his family, he also describes the unique joy of performing: 'The thrill when the audience laughs... I've done many jobs, but there is no joy that replaces that.' You can watch the full documentary for free on ABEMA.
In a recent episode of the 'ABEMA Entertainment' documentary series 'NO MAKE,' we exclusively followed the 'now' of TAIGA, a pin comedian who continues to chase his dreams while working part-time jobs to make ends meet, even at age 50—five years after his appearance on the popular show 'Ame Talk!' in the 'Comedians over 40 who can't quit their part-time jobs' segment. The full episode is currently available for free on ABEMA.
(Streaming URL: https://abema.tv/video/episode/89-116_s35_p409)
■ Earning 620 yen in an hour... 50-year-old comedian TAIGA reveals his 'real financial situation'
As the breadwinner for his family with two children aged 7 and 4, TAIGA began working as an Uber Eats delivery driver during the pandemic for its flexible hours. He now rushes to make deliveries in the gaps between dropping off his sons at school and daycare. On this particular day, he earned 620 yen in the hour before dropping his eldest son off at school. Despite the struggle, he shared his reality: 'If I don't earn even one yen, I can't just say "maybe not today" when I think about the costs for my children.' With his comedy income being low, he describes his current situation as '80% Uber, 20% comedian,' and is supported by his wife, who works part-time at a supermarket. While expressing gratitude for his wife, he also revealed his financial anxieties, such as wanting to enroll his second son in swimming lessons but struggling with the cost. Nevertheless, he maintains his pride as a comedian, stating, 'Doing what I love, even if I have to work a part-time job to survive, is more fun. I have a goal, and it's rewarding.'
■ Tough love for Audrey's Wakabayashi! The true face of TAIGA
TAIGA is well-liked by many junior comedians, including Kazlaser of Maple Chogokin and PecoPa. He maintains a close relationship with the comedy duo Audrey, with whom he honed his skills in show pubs during his early days. He shared that he even reached out to Masayasu Wakabayashi when the star announced his hiatus. TAIGA also revealed a story from before Wakabayashi's marriage, where he gave him some 'tough love' regarding his visit to his future wife's parents. 'He's shy, and he thought he shouldn't be too quiet, so he tried to be "funny" and make jokes,' TAIGA recalled. 'I told him, "Don't try to be a comedian there. It's better not to do that."' This showed the deep bond between the two, with TAIGA looking out for his junior's awkward side.
Though he has considered quitting comedy, TAIGA says it is the support of his fellow comedians—like Audrey and PecoPa—that keeps him going. 'They tell me they want me to succeed, and I want to repay that kindness,' he says. The documentary also captures TAIGA performing with all his might in front of an audience of only six people. While he speaks of his love for his family, he also describes the unique joy of performing: 'The thrill when the audience laughs... I've done many jobs, but there is no joy that replaces that.' You can watch the full documentary for free on ABEMA.