Research on television talk shows

Author: Chen Yongqing / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: Ouyang Guozhong: "Warm 2003," this was your first attempt at a major year-end campaign. 2004 was the second time. What's different about this year's campaign compared to last year? Wang Zheng: We think the biggest difference is Zhang Yue's involvement. When I was doing this program, I felt it was quite tough. Initially, when planning the campaign, I was clueless about how to make it warm. But after Zhang Yue joined, I immediately found the joy of doing the program. If you don't find joy in the program, you won't have energy, and the audience won't either. Both Zhang Yue and I have found the joy of doing the program. The biggest difference is that last year we did it subconsciously, while this year we did it consciously. This year, we invited Xu Huanhua, whom I really admire. It was a great opportunity for her to promote "Jade Jade" in Beijing, so we invited her to the Beijing studio. This episode doesn't have any ratings pressure, and it's wonderful that we could invite some of our favorite guests.
Netizen: Do you think the program "Art Life" can survive for much longer? Wang Zheng: People often think Chinese programs have a short lifespan. For example, "Honest Talk" with Cui Yongyuan lasted only six years, and "Eastern Horizon" has been on for ten years now. Programs as long-lasting as "Eastern Horizon" are rare. Instead of comparing it to domestic programs, we should compare it to international ones. Compared to international programs, we've only been doing it for three years. We should have a good mechanism, and TV programs should have a favorable survival environment. I believe that whether it's a century-old brand or anything else, programs about life will last a long time.
Wang Zheng: The issue of guest depletion was something we considered in the past two years. Recently, guests have different perspectives on various aspects of life, and each guest brings a unique perspective. Liu Huan's second appearance on our program was more successful than his first—he happened to release an album called "Born in the 1960s." Liu Huan, as a renowned artist, should come to our program more often. As time goes on, our understanding of life will continue to evolve. Artists like Liu Huan, including Chen Kaige, I believe, should frequently visit our program to share their thoughts on life. As long as they have new insights or stories to share, they can come to our program.
"Art Life" is no longer just about preserving past lives but also about discussing the ever-changing present. For example, we invited Mei Yanfang, and we'll incorporate current news highlights. We're focusing more on stories happening now rather than historical dust. Our guests now come not only from mainland China but also from overseas, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. As culture and the arts continue to develop and become more international, there won't be an issue of guest depletion. The problem lies in not settling for second-tier or third-tier singers and actors. We should aim for world-class talent, including those from overseas and across the Taiwan Strait. We can find inspiration in history. For instance, inviting Liu Shikun was a great idea.
We recently face ratings pressure, but if there were no such pressure, there would be so many guests like Liu Shikun, Zheng Xiaoying, and Huang Yongyu. There would be no issue of guest depletion. We shouldn't keep chasing second-tier or third-tier singers and actors—these individuals don't have much prestige.
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