Terry Ito Column Vol.53 Pinko Izumi apologizes after a 10-year reunion

I met Izumi Pinko-chan for the first time in 10 years for a magazine interview. She suddenly bowed and said, "Terry-san, I'm sorry about that time. I got so angry that I left the studio in the middle of the show, ignoring Ebina Kayoko-san's pleas to stop me." It was over 10 years ago, so I can't quite remember what happened. When I asked her again, she told me that at the time, she appeared on a variety show I was directing, and I suddenly pulled a snake out of a box, hoping to elicit a surprised reaction. It caused a huge commotion that forced the recording to be halted. It reminded me of that. She remembered it well, though. She even apologized. "Terry-san, I've grown up a little!" she said, and her delivery was so cute. She had a completely different, scary image than the one people had in the streets. It made me want to work with her on something.

It seems that Pinko-chan's view on life and death has recently changed. Having faced the deaths of Mori Mitsuko and Hashida Sugako, who were both her respected mentors and close friends in the entertainment industry, she decided that she too needed to prepare for the end of her life, and gave away more than half of the jewelry she had around her to acquaintances. Then, when she suddenly came to her senses, she realized that she had been busy buying jewelry again, and decided to give up on preparing for the end of her life. She is adamant that if she gives a gift to someone next time, she will sign "Pinko" in magic marker on the designer bag to prevent it from being resold. All of the stories are interesting, like this one.

So I consulted Pinko-chan. Since I'm also a king of wasteful spending, when I told her about pitching the idea for "Pinko and Terry's Extraordinary Journey of Wasteful Spending" to a TV station, she was enthusiastic. "I don't mind a low fee, I'm OK with bathing scenes, I don't interfere with the production, I don't go home in the middle of the shoot, and I don't complain about the food on location. But I'll complain about the entertainment industry these days," she said, full of enthusiasm. The show is titled "Pinko and Terry's Extraordinary Journey of Wasteful Spending." First, we wander through Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku, indulging in wasteful spending at interesting establishments. At night, Pinko visits a host club in Kabukicho for the first time, and we wonder what type of man she'll choose. We visit a historic temple in Kamakura, where the head priest listens to her confessions about her long career in showbiz, and she receives a grateful "cheer." Of course, there's plenty of food, complaints, anger, and even a surfing challenge.

So, the proposal to be submitted to the station has been completed, and a presentation is scheduled for the near future. Of course, there is no intention to end it with just one special program, and the second will be in Kyoto, the third in Kanazawa, and the fourth in Hokkaido, so the plan will only continue to expand. I don't know how much of it will be realized, but I can't help but dream. Even so, I would like to somehow make this story, which began with Pinko-chan's apology after we met again for the first time in over 10 years, a reality. I will do my best.

Terry Ito (director)

Born in Tsukiji, Tokyo in 1949. After attending Waseda Jitsugyo Junior and Senior High School, he graduated from Nihon University's School of Economics.
In March 2023, he completed the Master's program at the Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio University.
He joined the television production company IVS Television, where he worked on variety shows such as "Tensai Takeshi's Genki ga Deru TV" and "Neruton Benikujidan."
He then went independent and worked on planning and directing a number of television programs, including TV Tokyo's "Asakusabashi Young Clothing Store."
His book "Comedy North Korea" became a bestseller, and he subsequently made numerous media appearances under the name Terry Ito.
In addition to his work as a director, he is also active in a variety of fields as a producer, entertainer, and commentator.
YouTube channelTerry Ito's Comedy Backdrop'
Currently writing a column in LALALA USA
https://lalalausa.com/archives/category/column/terry