The literary era since 1979

Chapter 309 Even if the king of heaven comes, it won’t work

"Next, it's the turn of the skits. The only program reported so far is Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao's "Examination of Actors."

"Let's welcome them to the stage with warm applause, and after the performance, everyone should give good comments."

As soon as Deng Zaijun finished speaking, almost everyone present applauded, their eyes full of anticipation.

After all, every time I think of "Pepper Noodles" at the Yanjing TV Spring Festival Gala, I can't help but smile.

"Whoa whoa whoa whoa."

Accompanied by thunderous applause, Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao bowed with confidence.

Fangyan accompanied Gong Xing and watched their rehearsal quietly. Compared with last year's "Examination of the Actor", there has obviously been great progress!

The first version only had an outline and no fixed lines, and it all relied on the improvisation of Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao.

But with the experience accumulated from "Pepper Noodles", not only were the lines and positioning designed, but there were also quite a few jokes.

Every time a joke is told, the onlookers will be amused.

Gradually, not only the members of the creative team were laughing so hard, but even the employees of the Sports Hotel were laughing so hard that they couldn't stop.

The laughter lasted for more than half an hour.

The house was filled with a happy atmosphere.

When the performance ended, it immediately won applause from the audience, and many people stood up and applauded.

"It really made me laugh to death. Tears came out of my eyes."

Gong Xing raised his hand and tried to wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes.

"use this."

Fangyan handed over the handkerchief considerately.

When Gong Xing saw that it was the same handkerchief, she smiled sweetly. At this moment, the voices of criticism and doubt from the creative team immediately broke the ambiguous atmosphere.

"It was a great performance, but wasn't it too long?"

"That's right. Some of the details are still a bit rough and not detailed enough. It would be best if we could rearrange it and compress the time."

"This show looks ridiculous, but it has no basis in life, no theme, and isn't the performance too exaggerated?"

"..."

Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao were able to accept all kinds of opinions in a friendly manner at first, but when they heard that "this kind of program with little educational significance would be controversial", their faces immediately fell.

"I don't like to hear that. What do you mean by 'no educational significance'?" Chen Peisi pouted. "Pepper Noodles has no educational significance either, but it was also performed on the Spring Festival Gala of Beijing TV."

A leader wearing glasses replied: "That's different. Yanjing TV is a local TV station, but this is the Spring Festival Gala of CCTV!"

"Hey, what's the difference?"

Chen Peisi said dissatisfiedly: "Isn't the Spring Festival Gala for the common people to celebrate the New Year happily?"

Then he looked at Fang Yan, "When Mr. Fang was directing the Yanjing TV Spring Festival Gala, he clearly stated that it was to 'entertain the public.'"

"I said so much, you just remember these four words." Fang Yan said: "I gave Yanjing TV a 16-word policy, close to life, entertaining the masses, suitable for both the refined and the popular, suitable for all ages. I think these 16 words are also suitable for CCTV's Spring Festival Gala."

Someone else in the creative team said, "I think we can add four more words, combining education with entertainment, and political education and propaganda work cannot be left behind."

Fangyan glanced sideways and said, "Can preaching make the audience laugh?"

"Teacher Fang is right. When the audience feels that you are educating them, the work will make them feel uncomfortable."

Chen Peisi agreed, "That was the most tiring time!"

"This...this..."

Those who raised objections looked at Wang Feng, obviously wanting him, the station director, to make the decision.

Huang Yihe came to the rescue in time and said, "I think the biggest problem with "Examination of Actors" right now is its length. Pei Si and Shi Mao, you still need to think carefully about how to shorten the length while retaining the essence. As for its educational significance, we will talk about it after the review stage."

"Yes, today is just the first meeting of the creative team."

Wang Feng took the opportunity to back off and change the subject.

In the 83 Spring Festival Gala, CCTV had no experience and did not look for sponsors like Yanjing TV did.

In 84, CCTV was preparing to imitate Yenching TV, but unfortunately, no state-owned enterprise was willing to sponsor it.

After all, when it comes to advertising on TV, many state-owned enterprises simply don’t realize the terrifying value hidden in it.

Therefore, Fangyan took it upon himself to help Han Yuemin take it.

Now, the small clothing workshop has to be prepared for the sewing machines to smoke.

…………

Time flies by, and the Golden Rooster Awards is held as scheduled.

Gong Xing, Zhang Yimou, Huo Jianqi and other nominees all attended.

However, Fang Yan, who was nominated for the Best Screenwriter award again, took the initiative to be absent and went to work in the editorial department of October as usual.

After all, if nothing unexpected happens, I will be seconded to People's Literature after the new year.

With one hand supporting his chin and the other on a piece of paper, he carefully wrote the program for the 84 Spring Festival Gala.

“Yang Liping, ‘Dance of the Sparrow’.”

“Traditional ancient magic trick, “Three Immortals Returning to the Cave.”

"..."

Sometimes I scribble and revise, sometimes I write and draw, and my brain gradually sorts out a clear and visible thread.

At this moment, Uncle Qin's voice came from downstairs, "Teacher Fang, someone is looking for you downstairs!"

"coming!"

Fang Yan hurried downstairs and was surprised to find that it was Huang Yihe and Jiang Kun who came. Jiang Kun said anxiously: "Teacher Fang, something happened!"

Fangyan frowned. He heard from Huang Yihe that inviting singers from Hong Kong and Taiwan to perform on the Spring Festival Gala encountered a huge difficulty.

Even if the higher-ups agreed, there were not many channels for communication between the mainland and Hong Kong. CCTV didn't know how to connect with people like Zhang Mingmin, Wang Mingquan, Xi Xiulan, and their agencies. The issues involved were very complicated.

"You can ask the Joint Publishing Company in Hong Kong, or the Hong Kong branch of Xinhua News Agency to pass it on."

Fangyan pondered for a moment and recommended Shi Nansheng.

Huang Yihe was overjoyed and said, "I've made a note of it!"

Fang Yan asked: "If this is the case, there is no need for you to come here in person. There must be a bigger problem, right?"

"I really can't hide it from Teacher Fang."

Jiang Kun said truthfully, "When Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao were arranging the skit, they ran away without saying hello!"

Fang Yan asked in surprise: "What do you mean by escaped?"

"It means being a deserter, giving up the program, and withdrawing from the Spring Festival Gala."

Jiang Kun said: "From yesterday till now, I haven't seen them in the hotel."

"Where are they?"

There was not a single ripple in the dialect, and it even made me want to laugh.

Huang Yihe sighed, "We searched for a long time, and finally the director of the Bayi Factory called us and we found out where he was."

"Then let's go quickly."

Fangyan said as he walked, "By the way, there must be a reason why they ran away."

Huang Yihe said that Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao lived in the Tiyutan Hotel with good food and drink, and did not have to spend food coupons or oil coupons, but they were never satisfied with their creations. Perhaps they felt guilty and were embarrassed to continue eating and living for free, so they simply withdrew.

"I'm afraid that's not the case..."

Fangyan saw through it, but didn't say anything. He was dragged by the two men to the Bayi Film Studio.

…………

Liuli Bridge, Fengtai, where the Bayi Factory is located.

In the rehearsal room, Zhu Shimao was trying earnestly to persuade Chen Peisi to go back to the hotel.

"No, I won't go!"

Chen Peisi said: "We need to make it clear in everything. Is our skit meant to bring happiness to the audience or to educate them?"

"Pei Si, this is an order from the factory director himself."

Zhu Shimao said, "He asked us to cooperate well with CCTV's Spring Festival Gala."

"Even if you are the king of heaven, you have to distinguish right from wrong!"

Chen Peisi said, "The revision suggestions we put forward are really good. We just didn't follow their advice to add some educational significance. Is that wrong? This is not okay, that is not okay, they rejected them all. Since that's the case, I won't serve you!"

Zhu Shimao said: "This is not a solution. CCTV just called several times."

Chen Peisi's temper suddenly flared up: "No, no, I can't do it so carelessly..."

Suddenly, with a bang, the door was opened.

"Chen Xiaoer! Zhu Shimao!"

Looking in the direction of the voice, Zhu Shimao was startled, "Teacher Fang, why are you here?!"

Chen Peisi grinned, "Hey, Teacher Fang!"

Fang Yan stood in front of Huang Yihe and Jiang Kun and narrowed his eyes. "Why, do you want us to come to you three times to invite you back?"

Chen Peisi said: "Teacher Fang, how dare we do that!"

"Then what are you mumbling about?"

Fang Yan raised his eyebrows, "I still like your rebellious look just now, how about you recover a bit?"

Chen Peisi smiled awkwardly and said, "No, no, no, Mr. Fang, please stop making fun of me."

Fangyan asked: "Tell me, why do you want to quit?"

“Some people are too bullying!”

Without waiting for Chen Peisi to finish speaking, Zhu Shimao hurriedly took over the conversation.

When they were re-arranging the script, they encountered difficulties. Many of the wonderful jokes they had designed before were cut. They felt aggrieved, ashamed and very angry.

If it's to shorten the duration, just bear with it.

The reason for rejection is precisely because it has no positive meaning and purely pleasing the masses is not desirable.

"I got really angry and said to Lao Mao, 'We don't want to serve you anymore, let's go!'"

Chen Peisi patted his chest and said, "Teacher Fang, if you want to blame someone, just blame me. I am responsible for my own actions."

Fangyan asked: "You don't have to be the host. I just want to ask you if you are still willing to perform on the Spring Festival Gala."

Zhu Shimao agreed to rearrange the poem, but Chen Peisi disagreed, saying, "I am stupid and cannot remember the lyrics."

"How about changing it to a pantomime like Pepper Noodles?"

Dialect looks left and right.

Chen Peisi finally agreed reluctantly for the sake of Teacher Fang:

"You can go back, but first you need to tell me how to revise this "Examination of Actors"?"

“Have you ever listened to a crosstalk play?”

(End of this chapter)