Kazuhisa Uekusa (Japanese: 植草和久; born 15 November 1987),[1] known by the stage names of Wes-P (Japanese: ウエスP) or Mr Uekusa, is a Japanese entertainer who has gone viral on Twitter[2][3] and TikTok.[4] He is known for performing risque prop comic versions of the tablecloth trick.[5]

Kazuhisa Uekusa
植草 和久
Uekusa performing at the Yoshimoto Mugendai Hall in 2023
Born (1987-11-15) November 15, 1987 (age 36)
NationalityJapanese
Other names
  • Wes-P
  • Mr Uekusa
Occupation
Years active2017–present
Notable credits

Career

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Uekusa is from Ageo, Saitama Prefecture in Japan.[1] He first gained prominence in 2017 after a gag video he posted to Twitter went viral.[6] That year, he reached the semi-finals of Georgia's Got Talent.[7] In 2018, Uekusa performed on ¡Tú sí que vales! [es].[8] Later that year, he reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent[9] and made it to the finale of France's Got Talent.[10]

In 2019, Uekusa performed on Spain's Got Talent.[11] He also performed on Asia's Got Talent as part of the superhero-themed comedy troupe "Bad X Ten".[12]

In 2022, Uekusa made an appearance on Bulgaria's Got Talent.[13] He also joined the "Yoshimoto Comedy Squad", a Japanese YouTube collective that focuses on non-verbal, improvisational comedy.[14] On December 15, 2022, he made an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden as a year-end surprise for host James Corden, who had previously called Uekusa his favorite guest who had never actually been on the show; many of his video stunts had been featured in previous segments featuring compilations of viral videos.[15]

In March 2023, Uekusa was portrayed by Bowen Yang in a skit on Saturday Night Live.[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b "ウエスP プロフィール|吉本興業株式会社". Yoshimoto. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  2. ^ Sroczynski, Jessica (19 July 2017). "One naked guy has a very... unique spin on the ol' pull a tablecloth from under a cup trick". Mashable. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  3. ^ McCarter, Reid (8 April 2020). "That guy who posts genital-enabled party tricks is here to thank the world's healthcare workers". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  4. ^ "虽然没过上七夕,但这个用胸扯桌布的男人承包了我一天的快乐_湃客_澎湃新闻-The Paper". The Paper. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  5. ^ Krishnan, Manisha (22 March 2018). "This Comic's Tablecloth Dick Tricks Are the Best Thing I've Seen". Vice. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  6. ^ Cho, Kassy; Yamamitsu, Eimi (19 July 2017). "People Are Obsessed With This Japanese Guy's Naked Tablecloth Trick Videos". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  7. ^ "See The Classic Tablecloth Pull In A Strange, Hilarious New Light". GeniiOnline. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  8. ^ "Tu Si Que Vales: Mr Uekusa nudo con una tazzina fra le gambe!". Ultime Notizie Flash (in Italian). 6 October 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  9. ^ Dracott, Edd (28 January 2019). "Meet Mr Uekusa, the comedian who hilariously reinvented the tablecloth trick". independent. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  10. ^ "芸人のウエスPが仏版「ゴット・タレント」に出演し決勝進出決定 客席総立ちの大盛り上がりを見せる". ねとらぼ (in Japanese). 7 November 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Kazuhisa Uekusa, 'el japonés de la taza', llega a 'Got Talent' tras convertirse en fenómeno viral - Ecoteuve.es". elEconomista (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Màn biểu diễn thoát y trên sân khấu Asia's Got Talent gây sốc". Báo điện tử Tiền Phong (in Vietnamese). 9 March 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  13. ^ Wes-P | Кастинги | България търси талант 2022, retrieved 2022-08-08
  14. ^ Schilling, Mark (24 October 2022). "Yoshimoto Kogyo Launching 'Comedy Squad' as Japanese Talent Agency Seeks International Reach". Variety. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  15. ^ "Mr. Uekusa Surprises James with a Live Christmas Show". CBS. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  16. ^ Ward, Ian (27 March 2023). "Inside the Progressive Movement's TikTok Army". Politico. Retrieved 25 March 2023.