Seeking highlights
Some people have said that perhaps the absence of funny-man Zhao Benshan caused the audience to lose interest in CCTV's Spring Festival Gala even before watching it. For years Zhao's performance had been the most anticipated segment of the four-hour program, and his absence for two consecutive years (2012 and 2013 galas) disappointed many viewers, especially those who are middle aged and older.
In fact, not just Zhao, but a whole group of senior artists like him who have earned a wide audience base for their performance in sketch comedy or other spoken programs have disappeared from the stage of CCTV's gala in recent years.
"Old artists like Zhao Benshan and Huang Hong perform our life on stage, which makes us feel cordial and sympathetic," said Fan Yonggui, a retiree in Huozhou, Shanxi Province.
"Most of this year's sketch programs seem to be for young people," said Fan.
"The gradual departure of artists like Chen Peisi, Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan has declared the end of the golden age for the language programs on CCTV's gala," said Yun.
While reminiscing about the classic performances of senior artists, audiences are also seeking something funny to remember from this year's gala. For example, several lines from earlier sketches have become popular, like "You look tiny (pronouncing wei suo in Chinese), but I didn't expect your heart to be so dirty (also reading wei suo)!"
On the other hand, highlights in singing and dancing segments are not a few in recent years. This year, the combination of Chinese famous singer Song Zuying and Celine Dion has won much acclaim. Though inviting international pop stars is not new in China in recent years, seeing one sing a duet of China's classic folk song Mo Li Hua (Jasmine Flower), as Dion did, was a nice surprise for the Chinese audience.
Still a trend setter
Besides its entertaining function, in recent years CCTV's galas have taken on a side job: signaling the next fashion fad. The costumes and stage props used by performers have become a focal point for fashion and pop culture followers.
In 2010's gala, a pink coat worn by actress Niu Li in a sketch performance became so popular among female viewers that many tried to buy the same design on the Internet.
This year, after the gala, a previously less familiar brand to Chinese is becoming popular. Oscar de la Renta is now increasingly known among fashion followers thanks to two Chinese pop stars who wore it at the gala. Firstly was Zhang Liangying, a pop singer appearing in a lavender dress, then the actress Sun Li appeared in a cyan-colored de la Renta dress.
But unlike the craze generated by that "pink coat," many potential buyers thought more practically. A netizen named Xin Rui said, "Aside from being too expensive, those dresses are only suitable for certain occasions like weddings."
Beauties at Beijing Film Academy enrollment site
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