The variety show "Bakuho the Friday" (TBS, Friday, 7 p.m.) expands from an occasional special to a weekly series. The title is a mashup of Bakusho Mondai, the comedy duo who act as hosts, and jōhō, which means information. The theme is in-depth information about showbiz people, in particular those who used to be famous. Several months ago, the show looked at the career of Toshihiko Tahara, who in the 1980s was one of the biggest artists managed by Johnny's & Associates, but who rarely appears on TV since leaving the agency in 1993.

Tahara is now a cohost of "Bakuho," which this week looks at lesser stars of the famous Takarazuka all-female musical theater company and school, which opened in 1914. Top stars of the troupe go on to successful mainstream careers, but a few have opted for work outside of show business.

Fuji TV has already seen success with "Tosochu" ("On the Run"), which adapts video-game ideas to live-action settings, and the same team has devised a new game, "Sentochu" ("In Battle"; Sat., 9 p.m.).