Matsumoto's Challenge: High Jump

In 1993, Javier Sotomayor of Cuba set the current world record for the High Jump event by breaking 2meters and 45 cm, which is over 8 feet for all you non-metric users out there. The validity of this jump is much debated as Sotomayor allegedly tested positive for a performance enhancer. (Note: I'm not saying he did. It's "alleged". I really couldn't care less.) It's somewhat of a hot-button issue as he will openly admit to doing enough cocaine to put an artificial snowcap on Mt. Everest, but denies the use of a steroid.

Whether or not this feat of physical prowess was all skill or brought about by a steroid and crack binge, there will always be someone who strives to be number one. Today, that person is Hitoshi Matsumoto. The only things I assume Matsumoto would ever get high on is life and liquor, so if he succeeds, I wouldn't dispute it. Sometimes, a man has to do things that he feels are right, no matter what anyone else says.


Possibly on the verge of a mid-life crisis, Macchan breaks down crying and asks Hamada to help him get into the record books. Sensing that he can't do all of this alone, he asks for the help of the other members while dressed in "kuroko" uniform. Kurokos are kabuki-style stagehands. As kabuki usually was performed in front of a black background, a kuroko could walk around on the stage and manipulate things while blending into the background. Think of it like an old-fashioned green-screen technique/special FX department. Kuroko is still used today in things like TV shows when they want to move something, but don't want to show the staff's faces, etc.



After being coerced into helping with Matsumoto's predicament, Cocorico and Yamazaki change into kuroko uniform and get the show started. Matsumoto, clad in athletic gear, looks ready to get this thing started. Please note Matsumoto struggling to hold in his laughter as he explains why he has to do this. The other members start by trying to assist Matsumoto with an old-fashioned "Heave-ho!" over the bar, but to no avail. They try it again using a mat for some added leverage, but yet again to no avail. A frustrated Matsumoto returns to his dressing room to cool down with some knitting. When the other members come in to apologize for flubbing up the attempt, Macchan has had enough of being patronized and takes his frustations out on his own knitting. It's going to hard to pick this lost stitches back up.

Being the good sport that he is, Hitoshi gives it another shot for the sake of being a worldwide sports phenomenon. This time, the kuroko members use a firm mat to lift Matsumoto's limp and uncooperative body over the bar, but unfortunately that doesn't work. Hamada tries to say that it's a matter of angles, when it's pretty clear to anyone watching that height is a problem too. He probably could get higher on his own by really running and jumping.



Giving it another shot, they try to be inventive and create a makeshift harness and check him over poles. As usual, this does not work, and as soon as he can get those painful things off, he becomes a beast unchained. Please note Matsumoto pimpslapping Endou at 2:09 as well as Endou receiving said slap. Once again, Macchan pays a visit to his dressing room where he practices drumming, just in case this whole comedy thing doesn't work out.

After yet another reconciliation, an attempt is made to build a ramp up to the bar, and then flip over a stretcher with Matsumoto on it. Let's just say that the ramp wasn't near close. Also, please note Tanaka's frustration grunt/dance at about 3:44. Another trip to the dressing room while Matsumoto fills out an embarkation card. If I had enough money to commission an award, I would give the first ever Gakkster Award to Matsumoto for the hissy-fit he throws at starting around 5:12. I actually thought he was on the verge of tears. Literally.

So, in a last ditch effort to prevent BlackGaki's favorite member from breaking down, they use several stepladders and the strength of a few staff members to pull Matsumoto's body up to the bar. Even Matsumoto has to laugh when he sees what's in store for him. When they get it together and get him lifted, Matsumoto manages to "clear" the 2m 50 cm bar. With that, a new world record was set.

If my record is right, this is the first in the "Matsumoto's Challenge" series, in which Matsumoto tries to do something amazing, usually involving a world record. On the surface these types of episodes are funny for many "Factors of Funny": The "WTF?!" factor, the "That was unexpected" factor, the "Random Violence" factor, and the "Physical Comedy" factor. It also makes you wonder one several levels just how they planned this type of episode to look. Did they really want anyone to thing that Matsumoto was really trying to break a world record? Did they want us to believe that Matsumoto was being serious for once?

I'm not sure if I'm actually able to judge this episode very well just on its own merits. I gave it 5 stars in my big spreadsheet-thing that I logged these episodes in. I think that is a fair verdict, if even a little high. The episode is quite enjoyable due to hilarious, and at times believable, overacting coupled with slaps and the general "comedy-of-errors" format. I think I'll keep it at 5.