Description: A former member's Instagram congratulations stole attention from Japan's new sketch-comedy champions. The story behind the October 19, 2026 Lavit! joke.
Answer: It was comic banter, not a verified falling-out. Former member Yuji Umino celebrated Gerardon's victory and jokingly asked to be included. The two champions complained on television that his post was getting more attention than their win, then exaggeratedly refused to let him join.
What did Gerardon win?
King of Conte is a Japanese television competition for performed comedy sketches. On October 17, 2026, Attack Nishimoto and Kamichii won its 19th edition on TBS. They scored 671 points in each round, 1,342 overall, beating runners-up Kaerutei on 1,309. The prize was ¥10 million.
Gerardon formed as a trio in 2008. Umino was the tsukkomi, the performer who calls out the others' ridiculous statements. The trio reached the final in 2021. Umino left in February 2025, and Nishimoto and Kamichii continued as a duo.
From Instagram to morning television
After the win, Umino posted enthusiastic congratulations. He expressed surprise at the two new sketches, praised Kamichii's sharp responses, teased Nishimoto's hair and joked that the others should include him. On October 19, ORICON reported that the post had exceeded 100,000 likes.
The winners appeared on TBS's Lavit! on October 19, beginning at 8 a.m. Japan time. After performing a winning sketch and receiving flowers, Kamichii jokingly objected that Umino was getting the spotlight despite not being the champion. Nishimoto joined in, insisting that the trophy belonged to the current duo.
Where is the joke?
The first reversal is that the trophy winners envy the person congratulating them. The second is the old trio's comic rhythm continuing across platforms: the former straight man makes a playful intervention on Instagram, and the others respond on television.
The Japanese mazete means roughly “let me join in.” It can refer to a celebration, but the champions pretend it is a serious request to return to the act. Their mock refusal turns a friendly post into a fake personnel dispute. Neither a genuine reunion negotiation nor a private feud is established by the reports. The full broadcast video was not directly reviewed for this account.
Conclusion
Nishimoto and Kamichii won the title and prize money. Umino briefly won the attention with a congratulatory post. The victory interview became another sketch about who gets to be the star.
References (6)
- TBS official listing, Lavit! 2026-10-19: https://www.gslb.tbs.jnn-dtv.jp/tv/20261019_C198.html
- King of Conte official winner announcement, 2026-10-17: https://www.king-of-conte.com/
- ORICON NEWS, 2026-10-19, Instagram and broadcast remarks: https://www.oricon.co.jp/news/2487248/full/
- Nikkan Sports, 2026-10-19, broadcast follow-up: https://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/32599967/
- MANTANWEB, 2026-10-17, competition scores: https://mantan-web.jp/article/20261017dog00m200015000a.html
- Umino Instagram original post (linked by ORICON, not directly reviewed): https://www.instagram.com/p/DemNXz8gc24/
