A study investigated how a television talk show host manipulates the social and psychological distances in the television show context to entertain guests and audience. An ethnographic approach was taken to the research, and analysis focused on the use of politeness strategies and face-saving and face-threatening interactions. The television talk show in question was a Japanese program hosted by a middle-aged male comedian. Data were derived from the text of the first 2 to 3 minutes of the host's interactions with guests and from interviews with the host and his assistant. While a number of discourse strategies were analyzed, use of the Japanese honorific system and of joking are also discussed here. It is concluded that both were used to manipulate social and psychological distance between participants. The honorific system was used to create or preserve distance so as not to threaten the face of the individuals, and joking was used to lessen distance and satisfy the positive face of the individuals. Contains 41 references. (MSE)