A day before the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, the show’s director has been fired over a Holocaust joke he made during a comedy routine 23 years ago.
Kentaro Kobayashi has been axed from his post after a clip of his 1998 act surfaced on social media that included the phrase “Let’s play Holocaust.”
The president of the Olympic Organizing Committee apologized in announcing Kobayashi’s dismissal. “We found out that Mr. Kobayashi, in his own performance, has used a phrase ridiculing a historical tragedy,” Seiko Hashimoto said, per the Associated Press. “We deeply apologize for causing such a development the day before the opening ceremony and for causing troubles and concerns to many involved parties as well as the people in Tokyo and the rest of the country.”
Read the Tooc’s official statement below.
Kobayashi also issued a statement today. Roughly translated from Japanese, per NBC, he...
Kentaro Kobayashi has been axed from his post after a clip of his 1998 act surfaced on social media that included the phrase “Let’s play Holocaust.”
The president of the Olympic Organizing Committee apologized in announcing Kobayashi’s dismissal. “We found out that Mr. Kobayashi, in his own performance, has used a phrase ridiculing a historical tragedy,” Seiko Hashimoto said, per the Associated Press. “We deeply apologize for causing such a development the day before the opening ceremony and for causing troubles and concerns to many involved parties as well as the people in Tokyo and the rest of the country.”
Read the Tooc’s official statement below.
Kobayashi also issued a statement today. Roughly translated from Japanese, per NBC, he...
- 7/22/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The director of the Tokyo Olympics' opening ceremony was fired by the organizing committee Thursday, one day before the event, over a joke about the Holocaust he allegedly made during a comedy show in 1998.
The now-ousted director, Kentaro Kobayashi, is accused of using the phrase “Let’s play Holocaust" in a decades-old comedy act.
“We found out that Mr. Kobayashi, in his own performance, has used a phrase ridiculing a historical tragedy,” Tokyo Olympic organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto told reporters Thursday, according to the Associated Press. “We deeply apologize for causing such a development the day before the opening ceremony and for causing troubles and concerns to many involved parties as well as the people in Tokyo and the rest of the country.”
On Wednesday, the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles condemned "past anti-Semitic jokes as well as reported bullying of disabled individuals" that had been reported by Japanese media this week.
The now-ousted director, Kentaro Kobayashi, is accused of using the phrase “Let’s play Holocaust" in a decades-old comedy act.
“We found out that Mr. Kobayashi, in his own performance, has used a phrase ridiculing a historical tragedy,” Tokyo Olympic organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto told reporters Thursday, according to the Associated Press. “We deeply apologize for causing such a development the day before the opening ceremony and for causing troubles and concerns to many involved parties as well as the people in Tokyo and the rest of the country.”
On Wednesday, the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles condemned "past anti-Semitic jokes as well as reported bullying of disabled individuals" that had been reported by Japanese media this week.
- 7/22/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee fired the director of the opening ceremony Thursday because of a Holocaust joke he made during a comedy show in 1998.
Organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto said a day ahead of the opening ceremony that director Kentaro Kobayashi has been dismissed. He was accused of using a joke about the Holocaust in his comedy act, including the phrase “Let’s play Holocaust.”
“We found out that Mr. Kobayashi, in his own performance, has used a phrase ridiculing a historical tragedy,” Hashimoto said. “We deeply apologize for causing such a development the day before the ...
Organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto said a day ahead of the opening ceremony that director Kentaro Kobayashi has been dismissed. He was accused of using a joke about the Holocaust in his comedy act, including the phrase “Let’s play Holocaust.”
“We found out that Mr. Kobayashi, in his own performance, has used a phrase ridiculing a historical tragedy,” Hashimoto said. “We deeply apologize for causing such a development the day before the ...
- 7/22/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee fired the director of the opening ceremony Thursday because of a Holocaust joke he made during a comedy show in 1998.
Organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto said a day ahead of the opening ceremony that director Kentaro Kobayashi has been dismissed. He was accused of using a joke about the Holocaust in his comedy act, including the phrase “Let’s play Holocaust.”
“We found out that Mr. Kobayashi, in his own performance, has used a phrase ridiculing a historical tragedy,” Hashimoto said. “We deeply apologize for causing such a development the day before the ...
Organizing committee president Seiko Hashimoto said a day ahead of the opening ceremony that director Kentaro Kobayashi has been dismissed. He was accused of using a joke about the Holocaust in his comedy act, including the phrase “Let’s play Holocaust.”
“We found out that Mr. Kobayashi, in his own performance, has used a phrase ridiculing a historical tragedy,” Hashimoto said. “We deeply apologize for causing such a development the day before the ...
- 7/22/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Tokyo, May 28 (Ians) Tokyo Olympics organising committee chief Seiko Hashimoto said on Friday that the decision on how many local fans will be allowed into venues will be made after the state of emergency is lifted next month.
Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, officially extended the state of emergency over Covid-19 in Tokyo and other eight prefectures by three weeks to June 20 amid the slow declining pace of infections. Hokkaido, which will host the Olympic marathon and walking races in its capital Sapporo, is also one of the prefectures, Xinhua reports.
Just hours before Suga made the announcement, Hashimoto told reporters at a press conference that "the decision should be made as soon as possible, but after the state of emergency is lifted, we will assess."
She added, "what is important is to provide medical and scientific evidence for the games to be safe and secure, so we will ask...
Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, officially extended the state of emergency over Covid-19 in Tokyo and other eight prefectures by three weeks to June 20 amid the slow declining pace of infections. Hokkaido, which will host the Olympic marathon and walking races in its capital Sapporo, is also one of the prefectures, Xinhua reports.
Just hours before Suga made the announcement, Hashimoto told reporters at a press conference that "the decision should be made as soon as possible, but after the state of emergency is lifted, we will assess."
She added, "what is important is to provide medical and scientific evidence for the games to be safe and secure, so we will ask...
- 5/28/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Tokyo, May 24 (Ians) International Olympic Committee (Ioc) president Thomas Bach and vice-president John Coates were the target of social media anger in Japan on Monday over their insistence that the rearranged Tokyo Games should take place amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Coates on Friday had said "absolutely yes" that the Games should go on from July 23 even if host city Tokyo remained in a state of emergency.
And Bach's comments reportedly made to a meeting of the international hockey federation (Fih) that "some sacrifices" were needed were also not readily accepted by many in Japan, whose population is firmly against the Games taking place according to recent polls, reports Dpa.
The Ioc on Monday said Bach was not referring to sacrifices from the Japanese population but rather "everyone in the Olympic community".
This was needed to keep the sporting aspect of a toned-down Games alive so "the athletes can fulfil their Olympic dreams,...
Coates on Friday had said "absolutely yes" that the Games should go on from July 23 even if host city Tokyo remained in a state of emergency.
And Bach's comments reportedly made to a meeting of the international hockey federation (Fih) that "some sacrifices" were needed were also not readily accepted by many in Japan, whose population is firmly against the Games taking place according to recent polls, reports Dpa.
The Ioc on Monday said Bach was not referring to sacrifices from the Japanese population but rather "everyone in the Olympic community".
This was needed to keep the sporting aspect of a toned-down Games alive so "the athletes can fulfil their Olympic dreams,...
- 5/24/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Tokyo, May 21 (Ians) Japan's top coronavirus adviser on Friday called on the International Olympic Committee (Ioc) and local organisers to decide whether to stage the Tokyo Olympics after studying how the Games could burden the country's medical systems.
The Ioc and the Tokyo Olympics organising committee "certainly have a responsibility" for making the decision, Shigeru Omi, who chairs the government's coronavirus advisory panel, told a low house committee meeting, Dpa reports.
"The decision cannot be made at the last minute," Omi stressed.
Tokyo Olympics organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto has said they have already decided to hold the Games between July 23 and August 8.
The Ioc and local organisers are pressing ahead with the Games despite rock-solid opposition in Japan amid the pandemic.
Japan on Friday added the southern prefecture of Okinawa to the current coronavirus state of emergency, which brought the total number of regions under the measure to 10, including Tokyo.
The Ioc and the Tokyo Olympics organising committee "certainly have a responsibility" for making the decision, Shigeru Omi, who chairs the government's coronavirus advisory panel, told a low house committee meeting, Dpa reports.
"The decision cannot be made at the last minute," Omi stressed.
Tokyo Olympics organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto has said they have already decided to hold the Games between July 23 and August 8.
The Ioc and local organisers are pressing ahead with the Games despite rock-solid opposition in Japan amid the pandemic.
Japan on Friday added the southern prefecture of Okinawa to the current coronavirus state of emergency, which brought the total number of regions under the measure to 10, including Tokyo.
- 5/22/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Lausanne, May 21 (Ians) International Olympic Committee (Ioc) President Thomas Bach indicated on Friday that the Tokyo Olympics has entered the 'operational delivery mode' when he said that athletes from around the world are "looking forward to a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games".
"With just 65 days to go until the opening ceremony, we are now very delivery-focused. The athletes from all around the world are grateful to Japan for its diligent preparations, and are looking forward to a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games where they can finally shine," Bach said at the conclusion of the 11th and final meeting of the Ioc's Coordination Commission for the Games.
Addressing the members virtually, Bach confirmed that 75 per cent of the residents of the Olympic Village have either been vaccinated or "have secured vaccination", and that there "is good reason to believe that this figure will be well over 80 per...
"With just 65 days to go until the opening ceremony, we are now very delivery-focused. The athletes from all around the world are grateful to Japan for its diligent preparations, and are looking forward to a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games where they can finally shine," Bach said at the conclusion of the 11th and final meeting of the Ioc's Coordination Commission for the Games.
Addressing the members virtually, Bach confirmed that 75 per cent of the residents of the Olympic Village have either been vaccinated or "have secured vaccination", and that there "is good reason to believe that this figure will be well over 80 per...
- 5/21/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Tokyo, May 20 (Ians) International Olympic Committee (Ioc) president Thomas Bach will arrive in Japan on July 12, 11 days before the start of the Tokyo Olympic Games.
"The next steps on the organisational front after this Coordination Commission meeting include my arrival in Tokyo on 15 June, to join our team that is already on the ground. As of 12 July, after the arrival of President Bach, we will move to the full Games-time coordination operations," said John Coates, an Ioc vice president who heads its Coordination Commission for the Tokyo Games, in a letter released on the Ioc's official website, Xinhua reports.
The letter was addressed to athletes, sponsors, Ioc members, National Olympic Committees (Noc) and international federations. Coates reiterated commitments of Bach, Tokyo 2020 organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto, Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike and Japanese Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa that the postponed Games will be held as scheduled in a safe way.
Bach...
"The next steps on the organisational front after this Coordination Commission meeting include my arrival in Tokyo on 15 June, to join our team that is already on the ground. As of 12 July, after the arrival of President Bach, we will move to the full Games-time coordination operations," said John Coates, an Ioc vice president who heads its Coordination Commission for the Tokyo Games, in a letter released on the Ioc's official website, Xinhua reports.
The letter was addressed to athletes, sponsors, Ioc members, National Olympic Committees (Noc) and international federations. Coates reiterated commitments of Bach, Tokyo 2020 organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto, Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike and Japanese Olympic Minister Tamayo Marukawa that the postponed Games will be held as scheduled in a safe way.
Bach...
- 5/20/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Waki (Japan) March 25 (Ians) The torch relay for this year's Tokyo Olympic Games began its 121-day journey after a low-key opening ceremony at Japan's northeastern Fukushima prefecture here on Thursday.
The ceremony, which was preceded by a performance from a group of residents from Fukushima, was closed to the public as organisers reduced the number of participants and simplified the program to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Xinhua news reports.
Azusa Iwashimizu, a member of Japan's winning team at the 2011 women's World Cup, became the first torchbearer. Joined by 14 other teammates and their coach Norio Sasaki, she started the relay from the indoor ground of the J-Village national football training center, which served as an evacuation center after the surrounding areas were devastated by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown in 2011.
Seiko Hashimoto, the Tokyo 2020 organisng committee president, told an audience of 1,000, "For the past year as the entire world underwent a difficult period,...
The ceremony, which was preceded by a performance from a group of residents from Fukushima, was closed to the public as organisers reduced the number of participants and simplified the program to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Xinhua news reports.
Azusa Iwashimizu, a member of Japan's winning team at the 2011 women's World Cup, became the first torchbearer. Joined by 14 other teammates and their coach Norio Sasaki, she started the relay from the indoor ground of the J-Village national football training center, which served as an evacuation center after the surrounding areas were devastated by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown in 2011.
Seiko Hashimoto, the Tokyo 2020 organisng committee president, told an audience of 1,000, "For the past year as the entire world underwent a difficult period,...
- 3/25/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
In a crushing economic blow to Japan, the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will not have attendance from international travelers. Tokyo organizers made the decision along with the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and the national and local governments in Japan.
Officials said today they would meet in April to discuss how many spectators already in Japan would be allowed into Olympic venues. The rollout of vaccines in Japan has been slow, and the July 23 opening of the games doesn’t provide enough time to get everyone vaccinated.
The foreign travelers bar means the organizers will have to provide refunds of an estimated 600,000 tickets to the Olympics and 30,000 tickets to the Paralympic games, which start in August.
The organizing committees will now have the enormous headache of arranging refunds for ticket buyers. Overseas buyers purchased 600,000 tickets to Olympic events, as well as 30,000 tickets to the Paralympic Games starting in August,...
Officials said today they would meet in April to discuss how many spectators already in Japan would be allowed into Olympic venues. The rollout of vaccines in Japan has been slow, and the July 23 opening of the games doesn’t provide enough time to get everyone vaccinated.
The foreign travelers bar means the organizers will have to provide refunds of an estimated 600,000 tickets to the Olympics and 30,000 tickets to the Paralympic games, which start in August.
The organizing committees will now have the enormous headache of arranging refunds for ticket buyers. Overseas buyers purchased 600,000 tickets to Olympic events, as well as 30,000 tickets to the Paralympic Games starting in August,...
- 3/20/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Tokyo, March 18 (Ians) Tokyo Olympic chief creative director Hiroshi Sasaki has resigned after making derogatory remarks about a popular female Japanese entertainer, dealing another blow to the postponed Olympic Games with four months to go until the opening ceremony.
Japan's weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported on Wednesday that the 66-year-old told staff members that Naomi Watanabe could perform at the ceremony as an "Olympig", a play on the word "Olympic", Xinhua news agency reported.
Watanabe, 33, is a heavy-set Japanese comedian, actress, and fashion designer, and is a very popular figure in Japan.
Sasaki took over as the chief creative director after replacing actor Nomura Mansai last December and is responsible for revising the program for the opening and closing ceremonies for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He made a lengthy apology early morning on Thursday and told Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto he will step down.
"My idea and comments are a big insult.
Japan's weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported on Wednesday that the 66-year-old told staff members that Naomi Watanabe could perform at the ceremony as an "Olympig", a play on the word "Olympic", Xinhua news agency reported.
Watanabe, 33, is a heavy-set Japanese comedian, actress, and fashion designer, and is a very popular figure in Japan.
Sasaki took over as the chief creative director after replacing actor Nomura Mansai last December and is responsible for revising the program for the opening and closing ceremonies for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He made a lengthy apology early morning on Thursday and told Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto he will step down.
"My idea and comments are a big insult.
- 3/18/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Tokyo, March 11 (Ians) Naomi Osaka, who is looking forward to taking part in her first Olympic Games after her fourth Grand Slam win at the Australian Open last month, is particularly proud of the work being done on promoting gender equality at the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.
As Japanese player Naomi prepares to compete on home soil, she talks about the recent appointment of Seiko Hashimoto at the head of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, and the importance of having women in leadership positions.
"This is such an important moment for Japanese women, and women around the world; and I hope it's an inspiration to a young girl with big dreams to know that anything is possible," she says in an interview posted on the International Olympic Committee (Ioc) website.
"One of my main passions away from the court is to support and empower young people around the globe," she says.
As Japanese player Naomi prepares to compete on home soil, she talks about the recent appointment of Seiko Hashimoto at the head of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, and the importance of having women in leadership positions.
"This is such an important moment for Japanese women, and women around the world; and I hope it's an inspiration to a young girl with big dreams to know that anything is possible," she says in an interview posted on the International Olympic Committee (Ioc) website.
"One of my main passions away from the court is to support and empower young people around the globe," she says.
- 3/12/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Hannah Brown won’t be the Bachelorette again (for now), but she could be back on your TV screen soon: The Bachelor Nation fan favorite might join “The Bachelor Summer Games.”
“Hannah B., too, has also said, ‘I find this interesting’ because she likes to win. She likes to win,” Rob Mills, ABC’s head of alternative programming, revealed on SiriusXM’s “The Bachelor Recap.”
Like “The Bachelor Winter Games” two years ago opposite the Pyeongchang Olympics, “Summer Games” will air as counterprogramming to the upcoming Summer Olympics in Tokyo (though you really should be watching the Olympics if you ask us), featuring Bachelor Nation stars from international editions competing in summer sports and for each other’s hearts, of course.
See Hannah Brown was ‘close’ to being the Bachelorette again after ABC pursued her ‘for months’
But with the coronavirus outbreak, plans for both events might change. Earlier this week,...
“Hannah B., too, has also said, ‘I find this interesting’ because she likes to win. She likes to win,” Rob Mills, ABC’s head of alternative programming, revealed on SiriusXM’s “The Bachelor Recap.”
Like “The Bachelor Winter Games” two years ago opposite the Pyeongchang Olympics, “Summer Games” will air as counterprogramming to the upcoming Summer Olympics in Tokyo (though you really should be watching the Olympics if you ask us), featuring Bachelor Nation stars from international editions competing in summer sports and for each other’s hearts, of course.
See Hannah Brown was ‘close’ to being the Bachelorette again after ABC pursued her ‘for months’
But with the coronavirus outbreak, plans for both events might change. Earlier this week,...
- 3/6/2020
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Updated with comments on Olympic advertising:
Dan Lovinger, Evp, Ad Sales, NBC Sports Group said the division recently surpassed $1.25 billion in national advertising for the upcoming summer Olympics in Tokyo, which exceeds sales total for Rio in 2016 and has set a new Olympic record.
In statement Tuesday afternoon he said nearly has 90% of the Tokyo Olympic inventory has been sold along with the vast majority of our tentpole sponsorships
Also, coverage for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics is sold out.
“The momentum for Tokyo 2020 remains strong, but inventory is growing scarce as advertisers continue to value the massive reach of the Games and are eager to align their brands with the biggest media event of the year,” he said.
The statement followed comments earlier in the day by Comcast CEO Brian Roberts at a media conference and a statement by the Ioc that it’s “fully committed” to the Games opening as planned on July 24.
Roberts,...
Dan Lovinger, Evp, Ad Sales, NBC Sports Group said the division recently surpassed $1.25 billion in national advertising for the upcoming summer Olympics in Tokyo, which exceeds sales total for Rio in 2016 and has set a new Olympic record.
In statement Tuesday afternoon he said nearly has 90% of the Tokyo Olympic inventory has been sold along with the vast majority of our tentpole sponsorships
Also, coverage for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics is sold out.
“The momentum for Tokyo 2020 remains strong, but inventory is growing scarce as advertisers continue to value the massive reach of the Games and are eager to align their brands with the biggest media event of the year,” he said.
The statement followed comments earlier in the day by Comcast CEO Brian Roberts at a media conference and a statement by the Ioc that it’s “fully committed” to the Games opening as planned on July 24.
Roberts,...
- 3/3/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
In a potentially seismic event postponement, Japan’s Olympic minister has said that the Tokyo 2020 Games could be moved from the summer until later in the year due to the coronavirus.
Speaking in Japan’s parliament, Seiko Hashimoto said Tokyo’s contract with the International Olympic Committee (Ioc) “calls for the Games to be held within 2020…[this] could be interpreted as allowing a postponement.”
The Games are due to be held from July 24 to August 9.
“We are doing all we can to ensure that the Games go ahead as planned,” Hashimoto added in a BBC report. Ioc president Thomas Bach said last week that the organization is “fully committed” to hosting the event in the summer.
Any change of date for the Olympics would have a huge effect for broadcasters the world over.
Sporting events to be cancelled or postponed due to the outbreak include the 2020 World Indoor Athletics Championships and the Chinese Grand Prix.
Speaking in Japan’s parliament, Seiko Hashimoto said Tokyo’s contract with the International Olympic Committee (Ioc) “calls for the Games to be held within 2020…[this] could be interpreted as allowing a postponement.”
The Games are due to be held from July 24 to August 9.
“We are doing all we can to ensure that the Games go ahead as planned,” Hashimoto added in a BBC report. Ioc president Thomas Bach said last week that the organization is “fully committed” to hosting the event in the summer.
Any change of date for the Olympics would have a huge effect for broadcasters the world over.
Sporting events to be cancelled or postponed due to the outbreak include the 2020 World Indoor Athletics Championships and the Chinese Grand Prix.
- 3/3/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
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