Chinese Government Limits "Overly Entertaining" Television
The Chinese are still communists. Don't ever forget it. From Yahoo! News:
China plans to limit reality TV shows and other light fare shown on satellite television stations as part of a drive to wrest back Communist Party control over cultural industries that have fueled more independent viewpoints.
The order from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television refers to shows that are vulgar or "overly entertaining." It singles out programs dealing with marital troubles and matchmaking, talent shows, game shows, variety shows, talk shows and reality programming.
Slipshod phrase-coiner Thomas Friedman, the NYTimes cliche-monger in residence, has often wished that the United States could be "China for a day."
In this one tiny instance, I agree with him. I'd love it for the government to outlaw all kinds of reality television. That would help folks like me, who write scripted television. And we'd all be happier in a Land of No Talk Shows.
But I can't imagine a single television show -- scripted, comedy, drama, variety, reality, whatever -- that doesn't, at its core, deal with "marital troubles." I can't imagine a play or musical or opera or radio drama that doesn't, either.
And as far as limiting "overly entertaining" programming, once again the free market delivers that more efficiently than any government mandarin could hope. In America, too much "overly entertaining" programming is a problem we don't have. As long as network executives program shows like this and this, America is safe from being "overly entertained."
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Comments :
Mar '11
Re: Chinese Government Limits "Overly Entertaining" Television
I suspect Mr Obama would prefer the US to be "fundamentally changed" into China - permanently.
Jul '11
Re: Chinese Government Limits "Overly Entertaining" Television
This makes me want to go home and have a bland meal with the wife and then some boring intimacy.
China is putting the finger in the dyke to stem the tide of cultural decline as well as trying to keep their citizenry complacent. Not only will it not work but the timing of China's populace awakening from communism will coincide with their economic bubble bursting. I anticipate problems for their country.
Jan '11
Re: Chinese Government Limits "Overly Entertaining" Television
I'm going to resist the obvious line about the potential job prospects for Rob in the PRC.
Dec '10
Re: Chinese Government Limits "Overly Entertaining" Television
"Overly entertaining" has an implication in China similar to the implication it has in academic research into children's television programming in the USA. The Chinese authorities would be very pleased to have wildly entertaining programs, so long as those programs are not purely entertaining.
Like the Highlights magazine in your dentist's office when you were a kid, the Chinese want "Fun With A Purpose." A television program that entertains without educating the audience about the glories and benevolence of the Communist Party is worse than useless to them, whereas a propaganda vehicle that isn't entertaining is only merely useless.
It's interesting to see the BBC in the UK following the same rule in its programming, namely, glorifying Chinese communism: The Law of the Dragon.
May '10
Re: Chinese Government Limits "Overly Entertaining" Television
Coming Midseason
Aug '11
Re: Chinese Government Limits "Overly Entertaining" Television
Maybe the U.S. could reduce some of its debt and sell them NPR and PBS.
You know, if they're after something 'not-so-entertaining'
Edited on Nov 4, 2011 at 1:47pmRe: Chinese Government Limits "Overly Entertaining" Television
Rob Long:
But I can't imagine a single television show -- scripted, comedy, drama, variety, reality, whatever -- that doesn't, at its core, deal with "marital troubles." I can't imagine a play or musical or opera or radio drama that doesn't, either.
The Chinese regs would clearly rule out Shakespeare.
Jan '11
Re: Chinese Government Limits "Overly Entertaining" Television
What would be the Chinese equivalent of "stifle?"
Jul '10
Re: Chinese Government Limits "Overly Entertaining" Television
Instead of "Gilligan's Island," they've got "China's Island."
This could be fun.
Edited on Nov 4, 2011 at 5:31pm