春晚 Chinese New Year Show - build-up and live watching

[roddy]

We're just a little more than a week away from the highlight of China's television year, the vast craptacular (Pasden, 2003) with which the country marks the passing of the year. 

 

This year we have director 冯小刚 taking the reins. Gato has commented elsewhere this might mean more comedy - which is odd, as it's all comedy. 

 

So I went looking for a programme, so we could see what we've got. I found this one, but it's clearly a spoof, as there's no way there's actually going to be a song called 群发的短信我不回. Is there? Is there? Could it be Feng having a laugh? See what I mean, Gato? 

 

It does look like we're getting some Kung-Fu Kids, which is always fun. See 'em now, before their joints go...

 

Anyway, that's just an attempt by me to get a little discussion started. The actual show will be on at 8pm Beijing time, on the 30th January. See here for when that will be locally. 

 

We have some years had a bit of a live watch of the show, which has always been good fun. Unfortunately I'm booked on a train (coincidence, I swear) for most of it, although I might be online for the end. But drop in here and someone will sort you out with a link for live watching. 

[Shelley]

I have watched this before (if it is the same program I am thinking of) on CCTV news. I find it quite a spectacular visual show. Don't always understand everything but its fun.

 

I would like to try and catch this year.

 

Have I misunderstood?Is the 30th December the correct date cos if so we have missed it  

[Ruben von Zwack]

Who knows where and how can we stream/watch it in Europe? I will be having friends from Shanghai over for a little party, would be fun if we can watch!

[abcdefg]

Shelley, You haven't missed it. It's on Thursday, the 30th of January, at 8 pm Beijing time. That is 除夕。It's not in December; Roddy made a typo.

 

http://bj.bendibao.com/live/2014120/132300.shtm

 

Edit: Roddy fixed the typo, and now has the right date.

[Meng Lelan]

It does look like we're getting some Kung-Fu Kids, which is always fun. 

 

omg, that video has both a sign language interpreter AND kungfu. At first I didn't want to watch this Chuntacular but I think now I do after all.

[abcdefg]

I don't know how to watch it from outside of China, but there must be a way.

 

Will mention, for what it's worth, that several channels carry it here (in Kunming.) In fact it's difficult to watch anything else at that particular time on that particular day. Also, it is rebroadcast the next day during non-prime-time for those who couldn't stay up late enough to see the end.

[Meng Lelan]

We'll figure something out as long as this event keeps that sign interpreter guy. I could watch him all night. 

[roddy]

In the past there's been ways to watch it online from overseas, I'm sure there will be again this year. Bit early to look now, but something like CCTV International's stream. And ask your Shanghai friends, they'll likely be clued up. 

 

Typo fixed. 

 

Lets revisit some highlights of past years... how about the Thousand Handed Bodhisattva from 2005. (that's Youku, also on Youtube.)

[Meng Lelan]

That absolutely was a highlight that even here in the US, the day after that show everyone was emailing me the link to the video of the dance with the subject line "Lelan you have to see this!". 

[abcdefg]

I always like the magicians and the acrobats. Some years the dancing is also great. As my Chinese has improved, the skits and 相声 have become more enjoyable.

 

One of the things that has been fun when watching with Chinese friends is to try and identify the audience members at special tables near the front. Sometimes the camera visits them and they stand up for applause. Who is who and why are they famous? One year these guests of honor included the astronauts.

 

I've been on long distance bus rides more than once when they played famous dialogues and skits from prior years. Once or twice they even featured Da Shan, the glib Canadian. People near me sometimes even knew most of the lines by heart, and sometimes they joined in.

 

This show unites this large nation: virtually everyone watches it. That's reason enough to watch it if you can. It's part of being Chinese, at least being Chinese of a certain generation.

[Tianjin42]

It is a huge deal in the mainland and I agree that is reason enough to watch it. There are also occasionally some interesting acts. But I think it is fair to say that even considering culture difference and language difficulties, there is a lot of stuff on there that is piss poor. Sat through one once and it is testing.

Incidentally, the one I watched was the the show with an outrageous amount of product placement which was toned down the successive year after complaints. It was comical in that respect because it bordered on Wayne's World style product placement.

[Guest realmayo]

I enjoyed their treatment of Scottish national dress a few years ago.

[Meng Lelan]

One year these guests of honor included the astronauts.

 

And hopefully one day those Chuntacular guests of honor will be roddy and abcdefg.

[abcdefg]

Roddy, maybe. But definitely not me.

 

BTW, I like your "coined" word "Chuntacular."

[Meng Lelan]

Well it's either that coined word or the, uh, well, you know, that, uh,  "c" word that was cited from Pasden, 2003, it's, uh, well, both appropriate and inappropriate, though maybe slightly more inappropriate than appropriate to use here, if you know what I mean. 

 

Anyway I am really looking forward to spending a night with that sign language guy. Wait a minute. The show is on here in San Antonio at 6am!!!!!!!

[skylee]

It's part of being Chinese, at least being Chinese of a certain generation.

No wonder "they" usually don't consider "us" over here Chinese (enough).

PS - I don't understand the excitement of this thread.

[roddy]

It's kind of hard to understand just how massive it is in China. The build-up - the discussion of who is and isn't on it, and what they'll be doing, starts way in advance of the actual event. It completely dominates the entertainment sections and bubbles over into the actual news sections. it's like a major upcoming sports event, in a country where everyone's a sports fan. 

 

The only viewing figures I could find were from CCTV's advertising department, so pinch of salt perhaps required, but they reckoned 770,000,000 people watched it. 

 

That's not to say everyone likes it. A large part of the fun is mocking the entire thing. Not that we'll be doing that, of course. 

[Meng Lelan]

Let the Mock-a-Thon begin!

[skylee]

It reminds me of the Japanese 紅白歌合戰, which was a big thing like 20 or 30 years ago.

[Ruben von Zwack]

Well if you ask me, Meng Lelan...   ... I found Sa Dingding's performance of Wàn Wù Shēng in 09 positively creepy. That little creature from a Japanese horror movie, err,  cute child, and her Cleopatra goes The Mummy entrance... I love Sa Dingding, but ...
 

Actual performance starts at 0:54, and the child is especially creepy at 3:53:

Youtube:

 

I also didn't think the audience looked too amazed. But then I wouldn't know how middle aged Chinese look when they are amazed!