The Contestant

Learn the scandalous truth of the 1998 Japanese game show “Denpa Shōnen: A Life in Prizes,” where aspiring comedian Tomoaki “Nasubi” Hamatsu was brought to an apartment, told to strip, and lived that way 24/7 for over a year as he competed for prizes… and didn’t know he was being broadcast.In 1998, when Nasubi signed up to audition for a Japanese TV station, he had no idea what was waiting for him on the other side. After being selected as the “winner,” Nasubi was led blindfolded to an isolated apartment filled with only magazines and a stack of envelopes and told to strip naked. The premise? “Can a man live on winning sweepstakes prizes alone?” Nasubi would only be freed from the apartment when his magazine prize values reached one million yen, which took him over a year to achieve. Suffering from malnutrition and mental anguish with no contact from the outside world, Nasubi was completely unaware that his painful ordeal was being broadcasted live to the entire country. While documenting his loss and regained faith in humanity, THE CONTESTANT explores Nasubi’s legacy and influence on popular culture. Before “Big Brother,” “The Real World,” and “The Bachelor,” there was Nasubi, THE CONTESTANT. —G.S. GUEST(S) IN ATTENDANCE