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

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

Lives Less Ordinary · 2024-12-02

Nasubi had no idea his 15-month fight to survive was being broadcast on Japanese 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 AzharProducer: May Cameron

Get in touch: liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784

Lives Less Ordinary

Have you ever locked eyes with a stranger and wondered, "What’s their story?" Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. Extraordinary stories from around the world.

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