A renowned Peking Opera artist has recently proposed a necessary
curb on debasing content in pop TV reality shows around the
country.
Mei Baojiu, the youngest son and successor of late Peking Opera
master Mei Lanfang who had been known for his outstanding portrayal
of female roles in Peking Opera, made the call prior to the
upcoming Fifth Session of the Tenth National Committee of the
country's top advisory body, the Chinese People's Political
Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Saturday.
A CPPCC member, Mei Baojiu expects to table a relevant proposal
at the CPPCC session against such slapstick trend that currently
dominates TV reality shows nationwide. Beijing Times quotes Mei
Baojiu's spokesman as saying the artist's proposal will be on
behalf of a group of highbrow actors and actresses.
According to the artist's spokesman, the artist's criticism came
in light of his name being deformed after someone mimicked him in
the Star Boulevard TV talent competition at China Central
Television.
An amateur performer Li Yugang, who mimicked Mei Baojiu's
performance in classic Peking Opera Drunken Beauty turned
to be the third prize winner of the CCTV reality show last year.
The act was an immediate hit and Li Yugang gained nationwide
fame.
But Mei Baojiu criticized such copycat performance as distorting
the real art of Peking Opera. Mei's spokesman adds that it takes
profound art for men to perform female roles in Peking Opera and it
can't be achieved just by wearing a bra and wriggling one's hips.
He said the mimicking misinterpreted and vulgarized China's Peking
Opera.
The Peking Opera artist is not the first to call for a curb on
such debasing reality TV shows. Last year, former Minister of
Culture Liu Zhongde accused the reality TV pop show "Super Girl" of
poisoning youngsters' visions and minds by allowing them to believe
instant fame was an achievable goal. He also scolded the
broadcasting authorities for neglecting their duties.
Pressured with mounting criticism, the State Administration of
Radio, Film and Television this week announced it will impose a
time limit on such reality show pop competitions. They will not be
allowed to air for more than two and a half months, almost two
months less than before. In response to this decision, CCTV Channel
2's pop reality contest "Dream China" has accordingly cancelled its
expected show for this year.
(CRIENGLISH.com March 2, 2007)
