Music shows

nevermind
March 15, 2008, 09:25 PM posted in General Discussion

I suppose most of you who watch Chinese TV are familiar with these singing shows broadcast regularly, especially on CCTV4*. They seem like a blend of American Idol and "Die Frühlingsfest der Volkmusik" (one of the most horrifying memories of my trips to Germany, this show is dedicated entirely to German "folk music", featuring  every stereotype foreigners associate with Germany, or more specifically, Bavaria - dirndl, trumpets, even pink poodles)

Could anyone tell me more about these shows? So far, I've only been able to watch snippets of them.

(Are they karaoke? Is it a competition? Do Chinese people actually like the high-pitched wailing of some of the performers? The majority of the artists is in fact really good, which makes me doubt they're amateurs...) 

 

*Always reminds my of the infamous "Smile! You're on CCTV." 

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nevermind
March 15, 2008, 09:40 PM

I need to mention that I don't mean the shows that obviously feature quite popular singers. And also, please to get the impression that I make fun of this kind of music. I wouldn't dare criticize Chinese music/art/popular culture, that would be plainly stupid and arrogant. When I wrote "high-pitched wailing", I was referring to the minority of singers who don't seem to be able to keep their voice level, as was probably intended. I'm quite partial to the opera-like singing that can be found there as well.

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nevermind
March 15, 2008, 09:42 PM

Insert "don't" in the second sentence and scratch out "to". Well, it is 1 o'clock in the morning, that should suffice as an excuse.