The man sitting next to the female host who read out the letter, is Nishida Toshiyuki. He is a great actor.
http://asianwiki.com/Toshiyuki_Nishida
Glad you like the show. I really like this kind of show, and Japanese variety/game shows and interviews, can anyone recommend where to find more?
Check out the overcoming fears episodes. It's really good to see people overcoming their seemingly irrational fears. The puzzle ones are intellectually stimulating too. The ones with dogs are hilarious.
There are some about solving relationship problems. Yet to watch them but I think those are probably most rewarding.
edit: Argh! Didn't know the youtube video got taken down. Thankfully people are moving it elsewhere so they are not lost forever.
http://dai.ly/x5abuk2 This one is really fun!