The Chinese Communist Party doesn’t feel safe
about China’s entertainment industry.
So they’re canceling shows that they think are “too entertaining”.
Welcome to China Uncensored.
I’m Chris Chappell.
This episode is sponsored by Surfshark.
You should be using a VPN like Surfshark to protect yourself whenever you go online.
So, the Chinese Communist Party knows a threat to their power when they see one.
And the latest threat?
Shows that are too entertaining.
According to state-run media, on October 29th, China’s Central Propaganda Department met
with 4 of China’s major provincial broadcast stations.
Those broadcast stations “have made positive contributions in promoting mainstream values
​​and spreading positive energy.”
And by spreading positive energy, they’re not talking about love and kindness.
This isn’t the Summer of Love.
They’re talking about spreading the Party’s propaganda.
“However”—the newspaper says—“various satellite channels also have problems such
as excessive entertainment and idol worship, which must be resolutely rectified.”
And by idol worship they don’t mean a golden calf.
This isn’t the Ten Commandments.
They mean celebrity fan culture.
This push to “rectify” the entertainment industry has been in the works for some time.
Recently, Chinese netizens noticed a long-running show called “Happy Camp” was slowly being
taken off broadcast schedules.
It was also discontinued.
A number of variety shows seem to be targeted in this latest crackdown—the kind where
charming or funny hosts invite artists and celebrities to play games or apparently eat
watermelon.
Ok, I don’t understand why this is entertaining.
But clearly, the Chinese Communist Party thinks it is.
And that’s a threat.
Why?
Because the Party doesn’t like anything that’s more popular than the Party.
And in particular, when it comes to entertainment, it’s hard to control the messaging.
What if people start idolizing a celebrity host?
What if they start to trust him or her more than they trust the Party?
This makes the Party weak.
That’s why the Central Propaganda Department is saying that “Broadcast stations should
roll out comprehensive management in entertainment, with officials running the station prioritizing
social benefits while vigorously promoting core values ​​of socialism.”
And surely everything will be more entertaining when it’s run by the government bureaucrats.
Get ready to see more rap songs praising Karl Marx.
What up, my proletariat?
So what do the Chinese people think of these new requirements?
Well I found one comment that seems to applaud the Party’s efforts.
“It’s not that there cannot be entertainment, but without a bottom line with proper restraints
or values, it’s absolutely unacceptable.”
That was actually pretty much the only comment that was in favor of this action.
And somehow I feel like it was written by one of those government bureaucrats.
For the most part, Chinese netizens are pretty unhappy with the new announcement.
It’s like what happened when the classic television show Ultraman Tiga was mysteriously
taken down from all streaming platforms . Chinese citizens were outraged.
“Hunan Satellite TV has been down since the revision.
There is no traffic, audiences aren’t engaged.
TV stations now only broadcast cartoons, documentaries, news, and anti-Japanese war dramas.
Television stations have transformed from entertaining the masses to being propaganda
tools.”
“80% of television is just going to be anti-Japanese dramas.
And yet you still want to set limits on entertainment?
Do it then, let’s see how many people will still watch TV down the road.”
This netizen writes, “It’s time to watch 24-hour broadcasts of Anti-Japanese dramas
[smiley face]”
Wait, was that sarcasm?
And this one just says, “Please!
Cut us common folks some slack!”
So what’s going to happen now that people’s favorite shows are being swapped out in favor
of Party propaganda?
The Party hopes that people will just watch their propaganda instead.
But realistically, people will just start watching videos online—where they have access
to a lot more content.
Like how after the Party blocked the South Korean show Squid Game, millions of Chinese
people just went online and illegally downloaded it.
But hey, if the Chinese Communist Party is looking for a non-entertaining program hosted
by someone no one will ever idolize, I have just the show for them.
It’s called Watching Paint Dry With Chris Chappell.
It’s guaranteed to be completely non-engaging, non-entertaining content.
Check out our Facebook page!
It’s incredibly boring.
I expect a call from the Central Propaganda Department any day now.
But there’s a danger to what the Chinese regime is doing.
Because when Chinese people start moving away from watching broadcast television, and into
online content, it’ll be much harder for the Party to control.
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Once again, I’m Chris Chappell.
Thanks for watching China Uncensored.