Chapter 187: Directing the Spring Festival Gala

At 10 a.m., two cars drove down Fuxing Road and arrived at the CCTV building next to the Military Museum. Zhou Ming, Su Han, and Du Peng got out of the car.

"Boss Zhou, this is our new CCTV building. We moved here a few years ago. We used to be at the radio station. Later, under the care of our superiors, this new building was constructed, providing us television people with a better working environment," introduced Liang Gang, the deputy director of CCTV.

Listening to Liang Gang's introduction, Zhou Ming looked up at this CCTV building, which had been completed just a few years ago. Compared to the more modern, iconic "underwear building" of later generations, Zhou Ming felt that this old building had more of the gravitas that CCTV should possess.

"Young Master Du, Boss Zhou, our CCTV studio is next door. Every day, the Spring Festival Gala crew starts rehearsing various programs there at nine in the morning. Today, all programs will undergo a full rehearsal in Studio 1, and it should have already started by now. I'll take you three over there," Liang Gang said as he led Zhou Ming and the others toward the studio.

Today, Liang Gang was bringing them to watch the Spring Festival Gala rehearsals. Given the exclusive 200,000 yuan sponsorship contract in an era when the average income was just over 100 yuan, the amount was astronomical. Unlike a simple signature on a deposit, Liang Gang wanted Zhou Ming and the others to sign the contract as soon as possible, so he arranged for the Spring Festival Gala crew to conduct a full rehearsal today for Zhou Ming to see.

Following Liang Gang, they arrived at the legendary CCTV Studio 1. Although this was a newly completed site, the limitations of the era meant that Studio 1 at this time was not as large as the Spring Festival Gala venues of later years. To Zhou Ming, it was about the size of the club at his factory.

On the main stage of the studio, many girls were dancing gracefully, though not in their performance costumes. Zhou Ming had no particular impression of this year's Spring Festival Gala, so he couldn't tell which specific program it was.

In the front row of the audience, about a dozen people were seated, presumably the directors of this year's Spring Festival Gala.

Liang Gang led the three over, and the people in the director group immediately stood up to greet him. Liang Gang nodded and introduced them to each other: "Young Master Du, Boss Zhou, this is the general director of this year's Spring Festival Gala, Director Xiao Deng. And these are the Young Master Du and Boss Zhou I mentioned to you."

Director Deng immediately greeted Zhou Ming and Du Peng. Zhou Ming sized up this competent-looking female director, recognizing her as the first-generation director of the Spring Festival Gala, who had taken on the responsibility five years ago and organized the first CCTV Spring Festival Gala.

"Xiao Deng, how is the program rehearsal going? Young Master Du and Boss Zhou have taken the time to come and watch," Liang Gang asked.

Liang Gang seemed somewhat humble in front of Zhou Ming and Du Peng, likely because of Du Peng's status and Zhou Ming's wealth. Additionally, television people hadn't yet reached the high status they would in later years. In the capital, where high-ranking officials gathered, a department-level cadre wasn't particularly significant. However, this was only the case in front of Zhou Ming and Du Peng. As the deputy director of CCTV, Liang Gang held considerable authority.

"Director Liang, the rehearsal is going very smoothly. Right now, we're rehearsing a large dance performance—a yangko dance reflecting the hard work of the laboring masses," Director Deng said.

Liang Gang nodded and said, "Director Xiao Deng, I trust in your dedication and that of the performers, but today, Young Master Du and Boss Zhou are here specifically to watch the rehearsal. I want you to ensure that everyone gives their best effort during this rehearsal and delivers the best possible performance. Do you understand?"

Director Deng firmly replied, "I guarantee we'll get it done." She then spoke a few words to the assistant director, who hurried backstage to pass on the instructions.

Meanwhile, Liang Gang invited Zhou Ming, Du Peng, and Su Han to sit down. Liang Gang then asked Director Deng, "Xiao Deng, what's the next program?"

Director Deng replied, "The next program is a medley of film scores performed by the ballet orchestra. According to Director Liang, Young Master Du and Boss Zhou enjoy dynamic music, so I'm sure you'll like it."

"Director Deng, that's not quite right. It's not about what we like; it's about what the people like. If the general public doesn't like it, it doesn't matter what we like. Don't you agree?" Zhou Ming corrected her.

Director Deng nodded quickly. "You're right, Boss Zhou. Only what the people like is truly good."

As Zhou Ming and Director Deng spoke, the medley of film scores began on stage. While listening to the music, Director Deng explained, "Young Master Du, Boss Zhou, this medley is a new format called 'musical guessing.' Before the performance, we don't reveal the titles of the pieces, allowing the audience to guess them. We'll announce the answers at the end of the program. Of course, we're playing well-known tunes."

Zhou Ming nodded and said, "Whether or not the audience guesses correctly isn't the main point. If everyone can recognize the tunes, that's fine. What's most important is that the piece has some innovation. I'm not saying the melody should change, but you should add something new. For example, this ballet orchestra has a bit of a symphony orchestra vibe. Why not perform this piece in a symphonic style? Wouldn't that give it more depth?"

As soon as Zhou Ming finished speaking, Director Deng had a sudden realization and smacked her forehead. "That's right! Boss Zhou, you're absolutely right. Since it's an old tune with a new arrangement, it should have something fresh added. Your insight is truly eye-opening!"

Director Deng immediately rushed onto the stage. Watching her hurry away, Liang Gang asked Zhou Ming, "I didn't realize Boss Zhou had such a deep understanding of the arts."

"Where would I get that kind of understanding? I was just speaking my mind," Zhou Ming said.

Zhou Ming was telling the truth—he didn't understand much about art. But as a reborn individual with memories of more than 20 years from the future, his views and understanding of many things were far ahead of the times. For example, this idea of rearranging old tunes in a new way was almost commonplace in the future, but in the present, it was a major innovation.

"Boss Zhou, you're being too modest. I'm very familiar with Director Xiao Deng. She grew up in the military, has a rigorous work ethic, and is very dedicated to her art. I rarely see her lose her composure like she did just now, which means your words had a significant impact on her," Liang Gang said.

As they spoke, Director Deng had already returned from backstage, and the program on stage resumed.

When the piece was finished, Director Deng turned to Zhou Ming and asked, "Boss Zhou, how was it this time?"

"It was much better this time, but it's still lacking some rhythm. Director Deng, you have to consider that the audience in front of the TV isn't made up of professionals. Most of them are just looking for some fun, and it's this rhythmic element that will draw them in. The stronger the rhythm, the better," Zhou Ming said.

Director Deng nodded. "Understood. I'll have them make further improvements."

Zhou Ming waved his hand. "No need to make it too complicated. Just have them practice more on their own time. Today is the full rehearsal for all the programs, not just theirs."

Director Deng finally realized, "I'm sorry, Boss Zhou. I got too excited and forgot. My apologies."

Zhou Ming shook his head and said it was fine. Director Deng then introduced the next program to Zhou Ming: "The next program is a comedy sketch, which I believe is the best of all the language-based programs. It satirizes the bad habit of using public funds for personal expenses in government offices."

As Director Deng explained, two comedians took the stage and began their performance. As they performed, Du Peng and Su Han burst into laughter from time to time, especially Du Peng, who was laughing so hard he could barely keep his seat. In contrast, Zhou Ming remained much calmer, which made both Liang Gang and Director Deng a bit nervous.

After the program ended, Director Deng called the two comedians down and cautiously asked Zhou Ming, "Boss Zhou, what did you think of this program?"

"This program is excellent. It satirizes the bad habits in government offices very effectively, and the jokes are well-delivered. Especially that line about 'Leader colon,' I believe it might even become a catchphrase in society for the next few years," Zhou Ming said.

Liang Gang and Director Deng were just about to breathe a sigh of relief, but Zhou Ming's next words made them tense up again. Zhou Ming said, "However, whether it's because of today's rehearsal or something else, I feel that the portrayal of the section chief's petty tyranny and bureaucratic style isn't quite on point. You could exaggerate it a bit more—after all, this is a comedy sketch. The main goal is to make people laugh."

After saying this, Zhou Ming thought for a moment and added, "Also, I think you could add one more joke at the end when the section chief is making his self-criticism and bring back the 'Leader colon' line."

"But Boss Zhou, as the saying goes, 'three's the limit.' We've already used the 'Leader colon' line three times. Wouldn't adding a fourth time be too much?" one of the comedians asked.

"No, I think Boss Zhou's suggestion is very good!" Director Deng said. "Because people will expect that the line won't appear again after being used three times, adding it a fourth time will have a surprising effect!"

Director Deng turned to Zhou Ming with admiration and said, "Boss Zhou, you're truly remarkable. I didn't expect you to have such a high artistic sense. I was worried that you might be overly critical of the Spring Festival Gala crew, but I sincerely apologize. I believe that if you were directing this year's Gala, it would be even more spectacular!"

Zhou Ming smiled and replied, "Director Deng, you flatter me. I'm just a businessman who understands profit, not art. Art should be your domain. If I were in charge, the Spring Festival Gala would probably just be a display of commercialism!"

Director Deng responded, "No, I think Boss Zhou's ideas are correct. We've been too conservative. If possible, I really hope you could give us more guidance."

At this moment, Liang Gang, visibly displeased, reprimanded her, "Xiao Deng, what are you doing? Boss Zhou is a major sponsor, and it's already rare for him to take time out of his schedule to watch your rehearsal. How can you ask for more?"

Zhou Ming waved his hand and said, "It's fine. Since we're here today, let's see it through."