Sato Tamao
From DramaWiki
Profile
- Name: ????緒 / Sato Tamao
- Profession: Actress
- Date of Birth: 02 January 1974
- Height: 167cm
- Weight: 43kg
- Star Sign: Capricorn
- Blood Type: O
- Birthplace:
- Talent Agency:
Dramas
- Nurseman ga Yuku
- Kyohansha
- Omiai Kekkon
- Mama chari deka (keiji)
- Hashire koumuin
- Oatsui no ga osuki
- Koi wa Aserazu
- Love Generation
Article
Brunch break: Tamao Sato brings some weekend cheer
Few smiles are more infectious than Tamao Sato's. That's because the 28-year-old TV personality and actress is very sure of her purpose in life."I want to be a person who can stimulate others to be the best they can," she says. "Japan is ailing in many ways and we have to be 'genki' in our attitude."
Best known as the co-host of the popular TBS (Channel 6) Saturday morning variety show "O-Sama Brunch" (King's Brunch), Sato also hosts a Sunday afternoon horse racing program on TV, has appeared in numerous commercials and promotional videos, recently published a book of illustrations and will soon appear in the 13th installment of the popular movie series "Tsuribaka Nisshi 13" (Diary of a Fishing Nut 13).
"It's a busy life, that's for sure," she says in her first interview with English-language media. "I get up around 8 a.m. and then before I know it, it's 1 or 2 a.m. the next morning." Weekends are the most hectic when most of her energy goes into "King's Brunch," which airs from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. each Saturday.
It's long by any standards but Sato, who has been on the show since 1997, says it is more fun than work, almost like a family atmosphere. It's the sort of show that proliferates on Japanese TV. A group of regulars sit around joking and discussing all the latest fads and products. Other segments include movies, music, travel and restaurants.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm not working at all," says Sato with a twang in her voice. "Since we all get along so well with each other, there's never been a problem. The only mishap I can remember was when someone's nose bled. Actually, sometimes I feel the relaxed atmosphere of the studio is too comfortable to maintain a certain degree of tension which we all need to keep fresh."
Sato says the best way to keep fresh is to challenge something new, which is the reason she published her first book in May. Cryptically titled "Rukidezuranaka," it's a book of her illustrations with encouraging messages for each one. The title, she explains, makes sense when you read it in reverse: "Rukidezuranaka" then becomes "Kanarazudekiru" (You can really do it).
"I made the book to cheer up readers. It's from my heart. My job brings me a lot of opportunities to try a variety of things and one thing I've become sure of over the years is that I want to be a person who can give people a lift, especially considering the current gloom of the Japanese economy."
Cheering people up seems to be a common theme of Sato's. "When I was very young, I used to clip inspirational articles out of magazines and keep them in a scrapbook. I don't do that anymore. Instead, I read about five books a month and when I see some words of wisdom, I write them in a notebook."
Sato is very concerned with the direction in which Japanese society is going. "Child abuse appalls me more than anything. There seem to be more and more cases of parents abusing their kids. It's a sad reality, and I feel pity for those children who suffer. I think the recession may be an underlying cause. It puts people under stress, strains the relationship between a husband and wife and unfortunately the children become the outlet for their rage," says Sato who unwinds through aromatherapy and listening to the music of Bjork and Patti Smith.
People also need role models and heroes, she adds. Her hero is Walt Disney (and her favorite movie, Disney's "Mary Poppins") and she has been to Disneyland at least 15 times. "Walt Disney gave dreams to so many people all over the world," Sato says.
As for her dreams, one of them is to become fluent in English. "I'm not confident yet speaking English very much, though I like traveling. I went to Vietnam this year and was OK, but when I was in Sydney two years ago, my English didn't seem to work. Like most Japanese, I have few chances to speak English in daily life. Besides, my sole friend from overseas speaks Japanese very well."
Sato blames the way of teaching English in Japan. Her answer? "If the number of foreigners in Japan increases, it will be necessary for us to use English. Because we don't need to speak English now, our English level isn't improving. It would be better for more foreigners to come here and for more Japanese to go overseas."
Perhaps she could bring up this and other serious issues on "King's Brunch."
"Not likely. I'm sorry to say most Japanese variety TV programs don't touch serious themes. They are really quite childish at times."
June 21, 2002 Japan Times