Idol-actress Aya Ueto does a serious number on her image in the new drama series "Abarenbo Mama" (Rowdy Mama; Fuji, Tuesday, 9 p.m.). Ueto plays Ayu, a tomboy from the countryside who speaks like a man and lacks feminine wiles. However, she falls for hairdresser Tetsu (Yo Oizumi), who's 12 years her senior, divorced, and from the big city, to which they relocate after getting married.
The newlyweds decide to open a hair salon by remodeling Tetsu's house. They are about to settle into their "honeymoon life" when Yuki, a 5-year-old boy, shows up on their doorstep. Yuki, they eventually find out, is the son that Tetsu never knew about. Ayu is understandably angry and Tetsu tries hard to explain how this came about, but for the time being, the instant family has to make the best of it.
Last week, Nihon TV promoted one of its more popular seasonal specials to weekly status. "Himitsu no Kenmin Show (Prefectural Citizens Secrets Show)" (Thursday, 9 p.m.) is a travel program in which customs, products and other features unique to a particular prefecture are explained and illustrated by celebrity guests who grew up in that prefecture. Hosted by the ubiquitous Monta Mino and comedian Masami Hisamoto, each hourlong installment of the show will look at 15 prefectures, which means each one will get no more than a few minutes of exposure.