Main content

Naked and alone: the comedian trapped in a reality TV show

When Nasubi got a place on the popular Japanese reality TV show Denpa Sh艒nen he couldn't believe his luck. But he had no idea he would soon be fighting starvation live on TV.

In the late 1990s aspiring comedian Tomoaki Hamatsu, nicknamed Nasubi, lived inside a small room for 15 months surviving off sweepstake competition winnings. He was naked, alone and hungry. He was also completely unaware he had become the most famous television personality in Japan, his life broadcast to millions of viewers each week.

A documentary about Nasubi's experience has been made called The Contestant.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: May Cameron

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Nasubi. Credit: Nippon TV)

Available now

41 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Tuesday 12:06GMT
  • Tuesday 18:06GMT
  • Tuesday 23:06GMT
  • Wednesday 03:06GMT

Contact Outlook

Contact Outlook

Info on how we might use your contribution on air

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Step into someone else鈥檚 life and expect the unexpected