China’s government is upset with the way television is “fueling more independent viewpoints” and has ordered “overly entertaining” shows off the air by next year. Well, at least they’ll still get CBS. From the AP:
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.
I don’t say this too often, but man: way to go, Chinese Communist Party.
Such shows must be largely phased out by the beginning of next year by the country’s 34 satellite TV stations, to be replaced with news and cultural programming. The order also bans viewership surveys and the use of ratings as the sole criteria for whether to broadcast a particular show…
The crackdown coincides with a bout of national hand-wringing over a lack of public ethics, highlighted by the death last week of a toddler who was struck by a vehicle and left for dead by passersby.
That story doesn’t surprise me in the least. I just hope those “public ethics” make it to Chinatown. “You ever ride public transportation with the Chinese? They’re goddamn animals,” is what a racist person might say.
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Is China being run by my parents?
“YOU HIT A TODDLER? YOU”RE GROUNDED, NO TELEVISION”
That is to say…”NO TEREVISION”
You see? Every time there’s a bad show on TV a toddler dies. I am glad someone finally realized this. Now, let’s get “overly entertaining” shows like Mad Men and Justified and Sons of Anarchy off the air before everyone on Toddlers and Tiaras dies.
On second thought…
So I assume “Japanese Happy Fun Robot Hentai Tentacle Porn Hour” is no longer on?
“You ever ride public transportation with the Chinese? They’re goddamn animals,” exact quote from everyone on the N train.
China Bans “Overly Entertaining TV”, “Up All Night” renewed for 10 seasons.
Ooo! AND it reinforces their One-Child Policy! Win-Win!
I have the opportunity to take the bus through SF Chinatown on occasion – it smells strange to this white man.
One day, a woman with a LIVE chicken was getting on the bus. The bus driver stopped her, as live birds weren’t allowed on the bus or something. She grabbed the chicken by the legs, and smacked it’s head on the ground until it went limp. She climbed on the bus and muttered something (probably racist) to the bus driver.
I look forward to the Chinese learning to pronounce “Whitney.”
Finally…..an opportunity for American Export strength….
I’d like to point out, briefly, that every time I get pissed about living in America…good old China pulls shit like this and I suddenly feel better. Say what you want about reality television, I would rather have it exist than to have some sort of shadowy body of old men shut it down because it makes people think too much.
I have a suggestion for a TV show in China: How to Drive a Car in America.
At least in America, we have a choice to avoid “overly entertaining” shows. The easiest way to do so is by turning to PBS.
USA! USA! USA!
So finally 1984 was translated into Mandarin….
“death last week of a toddler who was struck by a vehicle and left for dead by passersby.” – Insert stereotypical Asians can’t drive joke here.
In related news, NBC now has exclusive broadcasting rights in China