Nippon TV's Saturday night drama "Gokusen" is proving to be a big hit for the network and a big money earner for popular actress Yukie Nakama who is earning 2 million yen an episode.
Audience rating for the drama, which first aired in 2002, reached a record high of 27.3% on Feb 19. Network executives say Nakama's popularity is keeping the show above the 25% mark.
Based on a popular manga, "Gokusen" features Nakama as Kumiko Yamaguchi (Yankumi), an unfashionable high school teacher in charge of a class of delinquents. In reality, Yankumi is heir to a powerful yakuza group and it is her yakuza-style mannerisms that help her control the class and win their respect, despite her best efforts to keep her yakuza links a secret.
The series has made Nakama a star in a very short time and shaken up the competition.
"Even dramas based on historical novels, which usually attract a high audience rating, are barely reaching 20%," said a member of the "Gokusen" production staff. "Most dramas usually garner a rating of around 10%."
"Gokusen" has surprised everyone because at this time of year, the networks are getting ready to announce their new program lineups from April. In January and February, the networks evaluate a program's ranking compared to the previous year. For a program to become a big hit now throws their planning into disarray at the last minute, according to a TV drama production worker.
In the Japanese entertainment world, an actor's salary is determined by the ratings. It can range anywhere from 3 million yen an episode for a special drama, then 2 million, 1.5-1.2 million yen, and so on down to 800,000 yen an episode. All actors and actresses are categorized in such a manner.
However, cost-cutting is starting to be seen in TV drama productions. One TV production worker said: "Yuko Takeuchi, who was in the 2 million yen group until now, will drop to the 1.5-1.2 million yen group since her latest drama series 'Fukigen na gene,' is getting low audience ratings. Also, Kyoko Koizumi, who was recently involved in a hit-and-run incident, has dropped from the 1.5-1.2 million yen group."
Even a tiny shift in audience rating influences a star's gurantees. That's what happened with Nakama.
"Last year, she starred in our drama 'Tokyowankei,' but it did not attract a very satisfactory rating," said a Fuji TV spokesperson. "Therefore, we were thinking that her guarantee would stay in the 1.5-1.2 million yen group. However, thanks to the success of 'Gokusen,' I anticipate there will be a big competition among producers to sign her up for future dramas. That's why she has jumped into the 2 million yen group at the last minute."
Mindful of offers from other networks, Nippon TV, which produces "Gokusen," is preparing for the future battle over Nakama.
"A guarantee for a drama is fixed and it is made at the time of casting, so even if the show becomes a big hit, there is no pay raise in the middle of the series," said a NTV spokesperson. "However, we are thinking of making a special episode after the final episode and pay Nakama a 'high audience rating bonus, or premium guarantee. We certainly don't want to lose her."
Maybe Nakama will need to use some of Yankumi's lethal skills to survive the fierce fight in the TV drama industry. (Translated by Sachie Kanda)
Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 131 Location: Vancouver, Canada Country:
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 3:33 pm Post subject:
Omigosh, I love Nakama Yukie! She's so pretty, and kicks some hard a*s in Gokusen She is my hero!
PS Some of my friends said I looked like her when I have my hair in pigtails and my glasses on like Yankumi It's kind of an honour to me... But insult to her, LOL! Whaddya guys think? Click Here! (website still under construction)[/code]
Joined: 28 Nov 2002 Posts: 3286 Location: Ten Carat 5-19-1 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0012, Japan Country:
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 3:47 pm Post subject:
maemo wrote:
Omigosh, I love Nakama Yukie! She's so pretty, and kicks some hard a*s in Gokusen She is my hero!
PS Some of my friends said I looked like her when I have my hair in pigtails and my glasses on like Yankumi It's kind of an honour to me... But insult to her, LOL! Whaddya guys think? Click Here! (website still under construction)[/code]
nice pigtails.....
you got those yukie looks in some angles.....
been to this site a thousand times, but this is my first post on the forums
had to do so in order to vote for my girl, well, here' s my contribution
sorry if it's been up, if it was i didn't see it cause the links are all dead
be happy to host more pics if anyone is interested
just realized that this post is way too long, let me know if i should make
one post per picture, i apolgize for not reading the rules and possibly
upsetting anyone
Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 406 Location: ������ Country:
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 7:24 pm Post subject:
koolie_hi wrote:
been to this site a thousand times, but this is my first post on the forums
had to do so in order to vote for my girl, well, here' s my contribution
sorry if it's been up, if it was i didn't see it cause the links are all dead
be happy to host more pics if anyone is interested
just realized that this post is way too long, let me know if i should make
one post per picture, i apolgize for not reading the rules and possibly
upsetting anyone
wow! Great pictures! Thanks alot, also welcome to the forum as a posting user! _________________
even though i'm being cocky for say'n i did it
here's some more, hope whoever sees 'em likes 'em
note: i flipped some cause they went cropped if i didn't
no complaints yet, so they might keep on goin on like til there is
Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 20 Location: Malaysia Country:
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 4:23 pm Post subject: I think.............
Ohh.....................I really like her, she is so 'powerful'.................
The character she acts at Trick2 make me like her and want to watch her drama more.Trick2 make me like her.Because of her, I have the 'strong desire' to watch her drama and so, I watched Gokusen.And so, I like MatsuJun. Just because of her................................
..............I'm very touching.........(not shame!)
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YUKIE... do really great! in that movie... they deserve it... 
She is my hero!
It's kind of an honour to me... But insult to her, LOL! Whaddya guys think? 
