Small show, big significance

A delayed airing of a recorded program would be easier to arrange, but the impact wouldn't be the same. The grassroots show would then be just another of the many New Year variety shows prepared by local TV stations or government departments. And it would be out of its league.

According to the media observer, the grassroots show has gained so much support because it represents another challenge against the CCTV monopoly, a kind of "David and Goliath" situation.

Lao Meng said he was conscious of the strengths and weaknesses of the show. "We could be better in some cases, because our innovative ideas come from a multitude of netizens. We are a grassroots operation. But we're not necessarily low in quality."

He added that he had imposed strict guidelines over the show's contents: "no politics, no ridicule, no copyright infringement." Meng also wanted to make sure that the show would not include advertisements and that money wouldn't decide who appeared.

Although Lao Meng remains confident, he will not weigh the odds of success.

"Anything can happen," he said.

"The media coverage and warm response may be enough of a success for him already," the media observer said. "Putting together a decent show this year would give him a much better chance next year.

"A smooth presentation would be a success of some sort after years of struggle, and a success of no minor significance," the observer added.

The four-hour Shanzhai variety show is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM on Sunday, but the list of performances has not yet been released to keep the audience intrigued.

If Lao Meng succeeds, people like amateur singer Han Zhurong, who now loads vegetables at a wholesale wet market in Beijing's Daxing district, might become famous enough to give their families a chance at a better life and the Goliath-like CCTV might have to start facing its own David.

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2009)