The Quiz Sho(w) Article (translations) :)

I thought I'd share an article about Sho-kun's new TV drama, "The Quiz Sho(w)". The original article can be found here, for those fluent in Japanese. But I promise that I've translated it to the best of my abilities. I've also centered it around Sho-kun's role, so some minor details have been omitted. Don't worry; pretty much most of it has been translated. :) So enjoy! It includes a small synopsis about the premise of the drama and what Sho-kun's role is about. Here it is:

Newspaper Article March 14, 2009

Sakurai Sho (27), a member of the popular group, Arashi, will be starring in Nippon TV's drama series, "The Quiz Show" starting April 18th, air time Saturdays at 9:00pm. It is a remake of last summer's late night version of the same name. He will play the role of the quiz show host, delving deep into the personal histories of the quiz show participants. This will be Sakurai's second TV drama role in nearly six years, and with Yokoyama Yu (from Kanjani8) in the supporting role, the two seem to create a mysterious aura in making this drama.

As a top Japanese idol and as a newscaster, the multi-talented Sakurai will challenge himself to play this role.

The synopsis of this series is that of a live quiz show, where the participants will have their deepest secrets revealed if they answer the questions correctly. Sakurai will play the role of the eccentric emcee of the show.

His character, at least in his high school days, was lively and outgoing, but after an unfortunate accident, he suffered a memory loss that still affects him to this day. Yokoyama's role as the quiz show's director, keeps Sakurai's character under house arrest (confined from the world) while he extracts the participants' hidden memories. In the process, however, Sakurai's character will come to realize the history he once forgot.

Producer Ikeda Kenji states, "Unlike his usual tidied up image, or his roles as heroic protagonists, I'm looking forward to seeing his outstanding acting in a role so contrary to his others, one that requires him to portray the confusion and pains of a man who has lost his memory."

Sakurai says, "To have the plot of the drama be of a live quiz show is quite a new approach. Moreover, this drama is filled with mysteries and strange characters; this is 180 degrees different from the role I played as Yatterman, so I'm very excited about it. I hope that we will be able to surprise the viewers with this great drama series."

Can't wait!

Don't forget to take your Vitamin Arashi!
amnosxmatsujun (emkay)