Description: A guide to the October 20, 2026 Japanese comedy ranking show: why Hiroyuki Iguchi chose both the rivals and the question, and why the final results are not due until October 27.
Answer: Hiroyuki Iguchi of the comedy duo Westland has often placed near the bottom of London Hearts rankings. He decided to pick comedians he expected to beat and even choose the survey topic. But the plan creates a trap: winning against handpicked “weak” opponents looks unimpressive, while losing to them would be especially humiliating.
What aired on October 20?
TV Asahi broadcast the third “I Can Beat This Lineup” challenge on Tuesday, October 20, from 11:15 to 11:45 p.m. Japan time. Ordinary men and women in their thirties to fifties were asked which comedians looked least likely to make a living from comedy in the future. This was a poll of impressions, not an investigation of anyone’s income or a forecast of actual careers.
The lineup included Iguchi, Nadal, Shinichi, Takano, Machida, Kuriya, Ketsu, Tomoshige and Yadan members Long Size Ito and Honma Kid. Several are established entertainers. Being invited because Iguchi thinks he can beat you is already a backhanded compliment, before the ranking even starts.
Why is Iguchi allowed to pick?
London Hearts has long used rankings in which entertainers guess how they are perceived and compare their predictions with public survey responses. Iguchi has repeatedly been portrayed as a low scorer. In August 2025, after finishing last in a previous contest, he selected ten opponents and a question about resisting authority. An April 2026 round asked which comedians seemed unexpectedly cute. The October edition takes the premise into the more provocative territory of perceived future earning power.
Why is it funny?
Imagine a boxer choosing the opponents, writing the rules and announcing an easy victory. Winning is hardly impressive; losing would be disastrous. According to the broadcaster’s preview, Iguchi even suggested that his selected group might be too weak. His guests have every reason to challenge why they were classified as easy opponents. The official descriptions also mention arguments over predicted rankings.
Japanese variety shows frequently build jokes around exaggerated rivalry and quick retorts, known as tsukkomi. Here the selection process is part of the punchline. The question about “making a living” is only a subjective audience impression, not proof that any performer is financially struggling.
Did he win?
As of October 21, TV Asahi schedules the final results for its October 27 episode. October 20 was the first part of the challenge. Predictions and arguments are not the official ranking, so declaring a winner now would be premature.
Conclusion
Iguchi tried to remove the risk of losing by controlling the guest list and the question. Instead he designed a competition where even winning looks awkward. The actual scorecard has been held back for another week.
