The Newspaper:
Japan's Best (and Only?) Political Comedians

When I sat down with the political satire group the Newspaper in August of 2016 little did we know what lay ahead with the US presidential election. What had already seemed like the craziest election of the century was about to reveal even more twists and turns (P***ygate?! Russian hacking?!) before its shocking finale. Even without that comedic treasure chest of an election on the horizon I had always wanted to get to talk to this group. Political comedy is no where near as prevalent in the Japan as in the U.S. and one of, if not the only, group to target Japanese politicians is the Newspaper. I hope you will enjoy the highlights of a long sit-down interview I was able to do with two of their members, Hamada Taichi and Yamamoto Tenshin (names in Japanese order of last name first). 

Editorial note: One reason this interview was not published earlier was because of the length of it. After mulling over how to edit it I have decided to put it up in its entirety.

S: Thank you for your time today.

H: Thank you very much.

S: Could you introduce yourselves?

H: Well, I am the Newspaper’s Hamada Taichi. I am the boke of the group.
Y: And I am the Newspaper’s Yamamoto Tenshin. I usually play Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga. 

S: Thank you. When did the group the Newspaper come into being?

H: Hmm, it started in the first year of the Heisei era (1989) about 27, 28 years ago.

S: Were you there in the beginning?

H: Yes, we are two of the original members.

Y: Yes, founding members. 

S: So you’ve been together longer than SMAP (A popular group that recently announced their breakup)!

Both: Yes, we’ve been together for a long time (haha). 

H: Almost the same amount of time as SMAP. A little bit longer, maybe 2 or 3 years.

Both: For a long, long time.

H: Around the same length of time, about 2 or 3 years longer.

S: And what was the reason you formed the group in the beginning?

Y: The reason we first started this group was after the death of the Showa emperor the nation feel into this mood of self-restraint. All over Japan the mood was depressed with people stopping themselves from doing anything fun or celebratory. In that environment all the events we were supposed to do were cancelled. We made a living on those events. With big companies and jobs in tourist attractions you would get paid with a cancelation fee if they cancel but we usually dealt with midsize to small companies and they never paid cancelation fees when the events were cancelled. So we thought to ourselves, “What are we going to do?” So we came to the conclusion that in a time such as that people should laugh and so we formed the Newspaper.

H: Yes, yes. We suddenly had a lot of time.

S: So it’s just because you suddenly had that time free up that…

H: Yes, yes. 

S: So it’s not that you had planned on forming this group long before?

H: No, we didn’t such a motivation before. It’s just that we wanted to snap everyone out of this dark time and make them laugh. In the past when something sad happened you would laugh about something else, making you forget the sadness and be relieved from the stress. That’s probably why we started.

S: So you started by satirizing politicians?

Y: We didn’t start by making fun of politicians. Actually, we would do live shows and always change the theme. One day we thought, “What should we do next?” “Well, let’s make comedy from what is written in the newspaper.” That was the beginning of the Newspaper. And in newspapers there are articles on politics, the economy, sports, entertainment, and other various topics. 

S: That’s a treasure chest of material.

Y: Yes! So that’s what I think we were lucky to come up with that idea. With that we would use what is trending at the time as comedic theme. 

S: It’s limitless. But then if you write comedy using the newspaper won’t it get old quickly?

H: Yes, yes. That’s why the jokes are really disposable. 

S: Because you can’t use them for a long period.

H: Yes, you need to keep on making up new material all the time.

S: In the US stand-up comedians are like that too. Once they do something on television they don’t do it again. In the case of Asakusa, when have seen one manzai duo performing so many times it gets like, “Ah, he’s doing that routine again.” Of course that can be a good thing and a bad thing. 

H: Actually our live shows we don’t do that sort of thing. We continually make new material and since it’s based on the news naturally politicians come up a lot. 

S: Yes, they are always coming up. 

H: Yes. There are always certain politicians who are in the news. That has become a trademark of the Newspaper. There are any other comedians or rivals doing that kind of thing. 

S: Yes! Actually I wanted to ask you about that. Why aren’t there any others doing that kind of thing (choosing material from newspapers)? 

H: It's a pain. It’s a very inefficient way to work. 

Y: Yes, like Hamada said, usually a geinin (a common word for comedian) works on one gag or routine many times, seeing what works with the audience. That’s how they come up with their routine. That eight-minute routine might take years to come up with. So with us and our jokes coming from newspaper stories even if we practice and polish a routine by doing it many times our audience soon forgets that piece of news so we can’t do it anymore, no matter how good it is. 

S: Yes, you can’t do them anymore. It’s like someone who can do a great Reagan impersonation but can’t do it anymore because everyone has forgotten him and moved on. 

Y: Yes, yes, like that. That’s why this is a very inefficient and painful way of making comedy. Plus you really have to know the history of not just the politician but also the parties. For example you have to understand how the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) functions, what their history is and such. To be able to do that you have to keep up to date on the news, reading the newspaper and such. Other comedians don’t want to do that. 

H: It’s hard to come up with material. 

S: That’s why I can’t do it! Haha.

Y: You can do it!

S: That’s why I’m doing rakugo. Haha. (Rakugo is comedic storytelling often based on a set of stories)

H: Actually rakugo is the opposite. With rakugo performers learn stories and continually practice them. We have to come up with stuff ourselves. 

S: Yes, well, there are some who change things and make the material fit their personality.

H: And there is the makura too.  (The makura is the humorous intro/short routine before launching into a traditional story)

S: Yes, that’s something that is really close to stand-up comedians in the U.S. with performers incorporating recent events and news into the makura. 

Actually though, I thought there may be a different reason that comedians don’t try to do what you’re doing. I thought that, instead of not doing it because it’s difficult, it was because of pressure placed upon you because of making fun of politicians. Also, I thought audience members being uncomfortable with political humor might play a factor as well. 

Y: To be honest, the media doesn’t like the kind of comedy we do. That’s why we can’t get on television. It’s really difficult to do political stuff. For example, it’s hard for a TV director to praise our work because of the fear of splitting Japanese audiences into two. They are really looking for middle of the road comedy that doesn’t take a side. That’s why “dangerous” geinin can’t be used and that’s why you don’t see skits that satirize on television. 

S: That’s true. From my point of view that’s really a shame.

H: But that’s the way television is in Japan.

S: But in the U.S. there is a market for this kind of comedy. There is the Daily Show and other comedy programs that are made to look like the news. I just can’t figure out why there isn’t a market for that kind of humor here in Japan. I know the people and culture are different but…

H: Maybe it’s ethnic

Y: We once tried to get on one famous and high rated show so we made and sent a DVD of some of our political skits along with some easy to understand bits and we were told, “No way.” We tried that two or three times but were never able to get on.

H:  That’s why if you did an easy-going news-related skit that doesn’t focus on one person it would be okay. But we don’t want to do such safe skits. We want to play different politicians and stand out with our skits. 

S: Yes, that middle-of-the-road comedy is just boring to me. If you don’t prick somebody, if you don’t get close to crossing that like (sometimes you go over the line however)…

H: Yes, yes!

S: In America it’s the same.

H: But if there was a director like you I think we’d be able to get on TV. It’s hard to find a person like that though.

S: Yes, there aren’t people like that. They have to be concerned about sponsors too.

H: Everyone is scared. 

S: So has there been pressure from the government regarding your comedy?

H: Not directly.

Y: Not directly but a few years ago there was a guy named Kobayashi Shigeaki. Do you know him?

S: No.

Y: The news program Houdou Station’s Furutachi Ichiro. 

S: The former host of the show? The one who quit recently?

Y: Yes, that guy. When Furutachi had Kobayashi Shigeaki on as a guest he was, um, pressured by the government to quit. He is a leftwing guy who always says things and is a dangerous guy. So they put that guy on TV and because the Abe government is gradually putting pressure on television that kind of climate has increased with them checking the content of television shows. The television stations TBS and TV Asahi are left-leaning and the government has been pressuring them and the climate exists that stops us from getting on there. It was like that before this too. I don’t know if still left over from that time but with Abe’s government it’s been really hard to get on television. 

S: Yes, he said a lot of shocking things. He put pressure on newspapers by saying things like “I’ll ruin you” and such. He also said he would take away television stations’ licenses. 

Y: But actually performing live is our strong point. We perform for everyone from the Communist Party to the Liberal Democratic Party. We are called to perform at parties for all of them.

S: At those events, do you do jokes about those political parties in front of themselves? 

Y: Yes, we do!

S: Do they laugh at themselves?

Y: They do laugh at themselves. Our stance is that we don’t choose sides. We target the left and the right.

S: You make fools of everyone?

H: Ha ha, to put it simply yes!

S: You make fools of everyone equally?

H: Yes, yes.

Y: Well, with nine members in the Newspaper some are to the left, some are to the right. It’s this variety that makes up the Newspaper.

S: Wait a minute, which member is right wing? Which is left wing? Ha ha.

Y: Our stance is that we don’t favor the left or the right wing. We try to take the viewpoint of the average citizen. That’s why we are invited to even LDP parties. 

S: But you can’t get on television…

Y: We actually get a larger percentage of work from the LDP.

H: But we can’t get on the airwaves. That's the way it is.

S: Is that why there aren’t any other comedians that make fun of politicians like the Newspaper?

H: There certainly aren’t any other groups doing material like us.

Y: Some people do impersonations but…

H: They don’t do any jokes that would be considered black or severe. 

(Y: Well, there are some manzai duos that cover politics but those comedians become those people)

S: Do you have any detailed policy about writing jokes? 

Y: Nope. That’s why when the Japan Times covered us one time they just said “There’s a group like this in Japan.”

S: I wrote about your group also in my blog before, noted that there was a group in Japan doing political humor and it was shame (that more didn’t know you).

H: Yes, in Japan. Really.

S: The politicians in Japan should be made fun of. Well, actually politicians from any country deserve to be made fun of. No matter which country you go to there are always people like that.

H: In the US cable television is really something isn’t it? In Japan, it’s just television on the country’s airwaves.

S: Yes, but you have BS and CS (two cable television systems) don’t you? 

H: Yes, they have started to gain in popularity I guess. And with that I think there will be more specialized shows coming out. 

S: Yes. Today in the yose you guys really killed with the LDP-related material and the other time I saw you doing jokes about the communist party you did well also. There are people out there in Japan that are receptive to political humor. 

H: Yes, yes. That’s why I think television is behind the times, ironically with the yose being ahead of them.

S: Yes. In the US they have been joking about politics for a long time. I mean, even President Nixon went on a comedy program himself once. That’s why, with all the niche programming, that cable in the US is becoming more and more popular. There are stations specializing in videos games, country music, etc. 

H: Yes and news only stations.

S: Yes. There is Fox News, well I don’t know if you can really call them news. They are very right wing in their coverage.

H: Really?

S: Yes. And recently there have been some outlets that are going even farther to the right than Fox because there is a market for it.

H: I think Japan should also have such specialized television stations as well. 

S: Yes, really.

Y: Let’s say a Japanese person takes a taxi somewhere. They say the two things you shouldn’t talk about are politics and baseball.

S: Baseball too? 

Y: Baseball too.

S: In the US they also say to not talk about politics at family gatherings as well. Because someone may share the opposite opinion.

H: Yes, yes. That’s true.

S: I didn’t think that about baseball as well though. 

Y: Ha ha. You probably shouldn’t talk about religion either.

S: Yes, I was told to stay away from politics and religion.

H: I think we are at our best at our live performances. We’re not just thinking about being on television. 

S: Yes, if you thought about being on television only you wouldn’t have any work. 

H: Yes, yes. 

S: You may have that chance sometime soon but even without it you have a loyal audience.

H: yes, being on television is not the only way to define success. Of course television is needed though I think.

S: Yes, but the people on television only represent the very tip of the iceberg.

H: Yes, and on the other hand you can’t have any bite your comedy (on television). No “poison”.

S: I love comedy with an edge. 

Y: And that is why being on stage is really fun.

S: Yes, I see. When I came to see you live show at the Nikkei hall it was a lot of fun.

Y: And with comedy like that you need to know the news to a certain extent. 

S: Yes, you do need an educated audience, people who watch the news regularly.

Y: Yes, and when people like that come to the shows we just ride on that and it feels great.

S: If you were to perform at Lumine (a Yoshimoto theater popular with younger fans) there’s no guarantee that you would do well with that audience as well. I’m not sure that young audience would know the issues well enough. 

H: Yes, actually we might not do well with young people.

Y: That’s why our audiences tend to be older. 

S: Yes, I noticed that at the shows.

H: And actually that’s why they are really great audiences. We’re really thankful that they come. Even more “genki” (active, happy in Japanese) people than before have been coming and they have some money too. 

S: The next generation won’t have any money with the pension system in trouble in Japan. Still you don’t feel any pressure from the government regarding your comedy? 

H: To tell the truth politicians don’t think of themselves as famous until we impersonate them. That’s why when someone says, “They were doing you” to a politician they just say, “Oh, really?” 

S: Kind of proof that they’ve become a big-time politician? 

H: Proof that they’ve become a big name or that they are just about to quit, that class of people.

Y: One member of the Diet (Japanese congress) said that once the Newspaper has impersonated you, you’ve made it.

S: Ha ha.

Y: A Diet member really said that!

H: That’s why, surprisingly, we don’t feel any pressure.

S: Surprisingly indeed.

H: And that politician becomes popular and better known through us. His or her name gets out there more. 

S: And that’s why you know imitate Mr. Masuda (failed candidate for Tokyo governor who had a problem getting remembered). People wouldn’t know who you were doing?

Y: Who is that now?

H: That’s why there isn’t any pressure. Maybe you could say they are rooting for us. 

S: That is interesting. Everything I thought about coming into this interview has turned out to be wrong. But that’s actually pretty exciting. I would really like to write a doctoral thesis about political humor in Japan but I’m just not sure there is enough material out there. It seems that the Newspaper are the only ones satirizing the government. There were satirical prints published during the Tokugawa Shogunate making fun of the government but they were very coded in their approach. Why doesn’t something like that exist now?

H: Yes, I know! Maybe some people wouldn’t be able to break the code and understand the humor though.

S: True. At that time people also liked hanjie (kind of riddles or coded messages with pictures substituted for words or syllables) too. The criticism wasn’t direct. 

H: People may not understand it if it isn’t direct (now).

S: Yes, back then they weren’t balls down the middle of the plate so to speak.

H: Yes. Back then they were curve balls.

S: And they had items that were coded symbols for things. 

H: Nowadays such coded messages might be a pain. They just want to watch it directly and go, “Oh, I see.”

S: I like watching manzai and skits but I also get the feeling that it’s so wasted. I mean, what is the comedy of two people doing for society? What is its role?

Y: It’s to let the “gas out.”

S: What?

Y: In other words, to release stress. For example, let’s say I’m an audience member and I watch Japanese politicians and think, “That’s not right.”, “Isn’t that strange?”, “That shouldn’t be that way.”, “That’s not constitutional.”, “That’s not ‘protecting the constitution.’” and such and I’m an/gry about it. Then, when I see a comedian take that on in their comedy I feel like, “Yes! That is true!”

S: They can emphasize with you.

Y: yes, they can emphasize with us and through that, laugh about it and relieve their stress. That’s what I meant by “let the gas out.”

S: You can also help them realize things through comedy. “That is true! That is strange!”

Y: That kind of laughing things off, that relief of stress is also fun for the performer and the audience member feels like, “That’s what I was waiting for!” That total effect is what makes performing on stage so much fun. 

S: But to take that one step further, do you think that comedy has the power to change society, the strength to move it in another direction?

Y: Yes, it probably does. I mean, after all, politicians often come to our shows and watch them. These real politicians, members of the Diet, come to our shows and take notes while watching our jokes. They are kind of copying us in a way, maybe to use when they are speaking in public the next time. There are people like that. 

S: Well, I didn’t exactly mean in that way. I was more referring to changing the direction of society.

H: Actually some comedians have become politicians and moved Japan in that way.

S: Like Higashikokubara (a comedian who became governor of a prefecture)?

H: Yes, yes. A long time ago Yokoyama Nokku got elected. Many have come from comedy to become politicians. People like that have certainly helped change society. In the end, to really move Japanese society you need to become a politician. It’s impossible for comedians in Japan today to affect change. Our role ends with making people laugh. If you really want to affect change then you’ll have to work on your position in society and become a politician. 

S: In the US with the Daily Show there was Jon Stewart who did the news in a comedic, satirical tone, pointing out what was wrong with the reality. By making fun of these situations he made people more aware of them even to the point where his audience contacted their local politician. He even helped the passage of laws.

Y: Well, this isn’t about Japanese politicians moving Japan or whatnot but for example the Newspaper used to have this trademark gag that we did where the top Japanese and Americans got together for a summit. At the summit the Americans would put pressure on the Japanese and try and make the Japanese commit to a “Yes or No” answer. So when finally pressured to answer “Yes or No” the Japanese responds with “or”. I believe such a response kind of expresses the Japanese soul in a way.

H: The Japanese can’t say yes and he can’t say no.

Y: I don’t know if you can call that modesty or restraint but that’s Japanese culture.

H: Yes, not being clear one way or the other.

S: Of course Governor Ishihara was famous for saying “No” to America (the title of one of his books).

Y: He might say that but Japanese in general don’t commit either way. You could call it fuzzy or vague. That was want we wanted to say in that gag.

S: That is an interesting part of the culture. But from the point of view of foreigners it’s a point of frustration, never being clear and such.

H: Yes, yes.

S: That’s why some think they cannot be trusted.

Y: That’s why politicians said, “The Newspaper said such a thing!” It’s something that is brought up often when taking about the national character of the Japanese people. I think that Japanese politicians are very interested in what the Newspaper does on stage. I don’t know if we are “moving Japan” but we are pointing out what is strange from the point of view of the average Japanese citizen. 

S: Yes, I see. Making jokes about these issues leads everyone to a “See! I knew it was strange” moment.

Y: Yes, well to give one example last year the LDP conducted a research group to see if it could expand the interpretation of collective self-defense and make it constitutional and it was, in the end, “constitutionalized.” Anyone could see that this was incorrect. When we can take that feeling of “That’s not right!” held by the average citizen and get them to laugh about it and realize, “It really was wrong! You thought so too!” that’s when we feel “Ah, it’s great doing what we are doing.” That kind of “educating” (on our part) might get us sued by a politician but it feels great and I think it moves the needle somewhat.

S: I would love to see you do such material on television.

H: Impossible. Impossible. Impossible. That would be impossible.

S: I would still like to see that on television. I mean, with your live show it was well received by the 300 in the audience and that’s nice and all but I would love to see it reach a larger audience by being on TV.

H: Yep. But there is no body brave enough working in television that would be willing to let us do that.

S: What about NHK? Ha ha. (NHK is a government-run station)

H: Yeah! Actually in England there is the BBC right? They use puppets and such on their station making fun of politicians. 

S: Ah yes, the show Spitting Image. Back in the 80s they had these really ugly puppets of Reagan and Thatcher.

H: I think it’s amazing that they can get away with that, on the BBC no less!

S: That’s a true sign of a democracy. 

H: Yes, yes, yes. You could say (in that way) that Japan is not a democracy. 

S: Just giving the impression of a democracy.

H: Yes, perfectly.

S: The press clubs are restrictive too, allowing only members of the press club access to press conferences and such. 

H: Yes, that area too.

S: And especially because it is NHK I believe they should satirize politicians. By making such programs they could truly show their impartiality and neutrality.

H: Yes, yes.

S: Of course right now that really unpleasant guy leads them. 

H: The chairman of NHK?

S: Yes, that guy. He said some strange things didn’t he?

Y: Yes, that was surprising last year but what really made me wonder if this is a democracy was, do you know the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Takaichi? Well, there is this woman named Takaichi who is Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications and said she would take one station off the air for broadcasting a report that was edited to be critical of the government.

S: Ah yes, I know her.

Y: Isn’t that unbelievable!? Is that something that would happen in a democracy?

S: No, not at all. 

Y: I was really surprised by that. I thought something is wrong here. It is said that history repeats itself, war, then peace, war, peace. It’s really true. I was really shocked when I heard that last year. 

S: Yes, it’s a bit scary.

H: Yes, and that’s the kind of stuff we really should change into laughs. 

S: Yes. But it was a bit comforting that the people and the press reacted when that was said at the time. If people had just let that go it would have been truly scary.

H: Yes, indeed.

S: Is that person still a minister?

Y: Yes, she’s still a minister. Because people like that are ministers they justify each other. 

H: Of course in Japan we don’t decide the different ministers. 

Y: Yes, the LDP appoints ministers like that.

S: Yes, well the system is different and you don’t have any direct voting powers regarding that.

H: Yes, it’s very different (than the US). It’s really a disadvantage. 

S: Yes, I thought it was very strange that the LDP was in power for about 50 years and then the Democratic Party takes over only to have the LDP soon get back into power. I thought that was too quick! There are bad things about American politics as well but with the two parties basically at 50/50 in support you see a change in power regularly with the Democrats and the Republicans. From Bush to Obama, you even see the Congress change hands. 

Y: If Trump becomes president it will be really historic.

S: If he does it will be the end of history. Ha ha ha. (Editor: Oh, if only you knew what was coming…)

Everyone: Ha ha.

S: Everyone is joking about it, saying, “This is the last election.” If he becomes president… Well, his approval ratings are dropping a bit right now.

H: There must be people doing imitations of Trump is the US now.

S: Oh yes, tons.

H: So there are people doing that.

S: It’s easy to imitate him. “It’s yuuuuuuge” and so on.

Y: You could do that in Japan you know. Get a wig.

S: Ha ha. I could never get that strange hair right.

Y: Just buy a hairpiece. Ha ha. By the way, we already someone who does Trump in our group. 

S: Ahhh, there goes my chance to get into the Newspaper! I was always thinking, “How can I get into the Newspaper.”

Y and H: Ha ha ha.

S: and I was thinking about how hard it is going to be to edit this interview! 

By the way, how do you get along with other performers?

We get along surprising well with the rakugo performers we encounter backstage at the yose. Before we started performing at yose we didn't have any comedian friends. Our genre was too different. 

S: Because you do political humor?

H: Another reason is the comedians (owarai) are asked to go on different shows than us. We often go on news related programs. 

S: So you haven’t met many other owarai comedians?

Y: There aren’t many of those kinds of situations. 

S: So now you get along with all the rakugo masters?

H: yes, we get along very well now. We were a bit surprised when they were excited to hear that the Newspaper had arrived. 

S: In their opening material rakugoka also touch on politics at times don’t they?

H: Yes, they do sometimes. Then they joke around with us afterwards.

S: And Enraku, of the famous TV show Shouten, also jokes about politics.

H: Yes, he does.

S: That’s why recently when they decided on making Shouta the new host of the show instead of Enraku I was relieved. I always like his political humor and if he became the host he wouldn’t be able to do that anymore. 

H: Yes, that is true.

S: I also think that Shouta was the right choice.

H: Did you see Shouta today? (Shouta was performing right after the Newspaper at the Suehirotei Yose on the night this interview was conducted) 

S: Right before he went on I left. The other time I came to see you I did the same. People must think I’m crazy leaving right before the headliner comes on. 

H: Ha ha ha.

S: After all, many of the people are coming to see him. (As the host and longtime member of the TV show Shouten, Shouta is one of the most famous rakugoka in Japan currently) I must be a pretty rare audience member.

Do you have any goals as the Newspaper? Are you just going to keep on doing what you are doing?

Y: Yes, I think so. As I said earlier the Newspaper is not trying to change Japan with its comedy. Right now our mission is to put a spotlight on the inconsistencies of the Japanese government, the ones that make you go, “Isn’t this strange?!” and deform them into something funny. And the more we are able to perform live the better it feels as a performer so it would be great to increase the number of performances.

S: I recently quit the PhD program at ICU and…

H: Why did you quit?

S: Well I failed the exam but I would like to continue my research in a different way. But when I saw your performance at Nikkei Hall I really wanted to have you perform at ICU in the future. 

H: We would love to.

S: But conversely you might not be allowed to perform at such a place.

They might be uneasy about the subject matter.

H: You think so?

S: Recently, liberal arts universities have been like that.

H: You could bring a teacher to our performance.

S: Or I could show them a DVD of yours.

H: Yes.

Y: We have performed at Gakushuin University in the past.

S: You didn’t joke about the emperor, did you? (Gakushuin University is widely known as the university for most of the royal family)

H: No, we didn’t!

(Everyone laughs)

Y: We didn’t talk about the royal family but do you remember the Otsuka Furniture problem in the news where the father and daughter fought about the direction of the company? 

S: Yes, yes.

Y: Well, the grandchild of the father goes to Gakushuin and we made fun of that.

(Everyone laughs)

S: Did he/she react?

Y: Yes, there was a reaction. It really went over well. That’s why we perform at universities and high schools.

H: When we perform now usually older men and women make up most of our audience right?

S: Yes, I noticed that.

H: But we really would like young people to come too. 

S: Well, I had better wrap this up and let you go. Thank you so much for your time.

H/Y: It was our pleasure.

Published: 12/27/2019
Interview Conducted: 8/2016