CCTV puts new spin on its Spring Festival Gala

Harmony and reunion, two perennial themes of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala take a new turn as China enters the Year of the Rat in 2008. Usually the domain of laughter and songs, this new year celebration casts a reflective gaze on Chinese society, mirroring national values of past and present. It will be a four-hour potpourri of song and dance, cross-talk and short sketches.

Wednesday night, the curtain rises on this year's edition of the gala lunar new year celebration on CCTV. This year's presentation features a star-studded line up, gravity-defying dances, mind-blowing acrobatics, and short comedies with laughter written into every expression and gesture. These are the staples of every lunar new year's eve spectacular. This annual addition to family banquets has grown, artfully and arduously, into a traditional New Year's observance for the Chinese audience of 1.3 billion people. That colossal figure also reflects a diversity of taste.

Audience member, said, "language programs are my favorite, especially the White Cloud and Black Earth series by Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan."

"I like solos, especially -- old songs, my favorite stars are Song Zuying and Tan Jing."

The viewing preferences of young and old are an historical problem for programmers. The formula for preparing a program catering to such varied tastes has been a constant challenge for the Spring Festival Gala crew. This year the team is headed by chief director Chen Linchun.

For a gala held for more than twenty years, there's no shortage of experience. One valuable guide for producers is that they have opened the doors to pool ideas from all over the country.

Letters have poured in to CCTV, since the program went into preparation in August. Many letters come from steadfast fans, eager to offer suggestions. One particular program on the Gala, the "Bus Concerto" performed by Feng Gong and the screen newcomer Wang Baoqiang, is adapted from a script submitted on line..

This and other language programs-- often the biggest draw of the Gala--are polished productions with social impact. The topics of conversation in 2007--stock market values, housing prices, transportation--all fuel artistic inspiration for thought-provoking dialogue.

An impressive production often requires constant revision right up to the last minute.

Zhao Benshan, sketch performer, said, "We spent considerable time on the script. We've made over twenty revisions, sometimes twice a day. It could be even better still. I feel more at ease with this year's character. The story-line is heartwarming. "

Li Qi, sketch performer, said, "I will take part in a short sketch on the relationship between doctors and patients. We are addressing a very sensitive social issue. We've been refining the program every day to offer it at its best."

As China enters the Olympic Games Year, one segment is dedicated to the Olympics theme. The segment opens with an awe-inspiring display of basketball acrobatics. It carries on with "The Dream of a Century," which traces China's participation in previous Games. It takes note of past achievements of Chinese athletes and comes to a climax with the song One Dream, sung by people of many different nationalities.

Devastating snow storms in some parts of China, give rise to an impromptu addition to this year's gala. Famed Chinese news anchor Bai Yansong, accompanied by 12 television hosts, will present a poetry recital to focus attention on victims of the disaster. The program will also salute rescuers heading for the devastated regions, trying to save lives.

Lu Jian, news anchor, said, "People may not be able watch TV in the storm-hit areas. But they will feel the warmth when they are able to hear us somehow."

Chen Linchun, chief director Spring Festival Gala, said, "The program is expected to buoy people's spirits. There is no way that we should be frightened by this storm. We see in this program a top-down effort to help in stricken areas. People are in danger, others are coming to help. "

While happiness and harmony remain at the core, the directors strive to make each year's program a landmark --while presenting the best among the familiar faces of the Chinese entertainment scene. They are doing so not just for many the millions who will watch the gala, but to lead China in an exuberant step forward, into a brand new year.