CCTV9英语新闻：Veteran comedian offers advice to new year gala performers

There are only four days to go until the big night of CCTV's Spring Festival Gala. One of the most popular features of the TV marathon is the comedy and crosstalk section.

Surrounded by fans outside a CCTV studio, Zhao Benshan is being interviewed, with many people vying 1 for a picture with the comedy star.

For the past twenty years, Zhao has been making gala audiences laugh with his immensely popular comedy sketches 2. Now, after three years absence, he's back. However this year audiences won't be seeing him - his role is an advisory 3 one, as deputy director of the gala and supervisor 4 of the language category, which includes comedy.

Veteran comedian Zhao Benshan and director Feng Xiaogang

 "It's hard to amuse audiences in a very short space of time. I've told the performers you have to stay calm before you go on," Zhao said.

In the past there were over 10 acts in the section of the comedy performance. This year however there will be less than six. Zhao is disappointed by this considering how popular this part of the gala is.

"Feng Xiaogang, the director of the gala, believes it's better to have fewer, quality performances. But I think laughter is the priority for the gala's audience. So I think even six to seven acts in this category is not enough!" Zhao said.

So Zhao Benshan's task is to ensure the remaining performers can shine on-stage. The veteran has played a big part in rehearsals 6 and has also given advice to help performers succeed.

"I told them what audiences will like, from my experience. I also told them that you have to find a unique trademark 7, for example mine was wearing a dark blue hat and a Sun Yat-sen suit," he said.

 

Zhao Benshan performs in his trademark blue hat and Sun Yat-sen suit.

 

Although Zhao will not appear on stage at this year's gala, his influence will be very much felt. And he assures us it won't be long before he's back amusing his fans on stage.

 

Zhao Benshan performs with comedian Song Dandan, also a regular at the Spring Festival Gala.







点击收听单词发音  






1
vying

  
 


adj.竞争的；比赛的


参考例句：





California is vying with other states to capture a piece of the growing communications market.为了在日渐扩大的通讯市场分得一杯羹，加利福尼亚正在和其他州展开竞争。
Four rescue plans are vying to save the zoo.4个拯救动物园的方案正争得不可开交。












2
sketches

  
 


n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概


参考例句：





The artist is making sketches for his next painting. 画家正为他的下一幅作品画素描。
You have to admit that these sketches are true to life. 你得承认这些素描很逼真。 来自《简明英汉词典》












3
advisory

  
 


adj.劝告的，忠告的，顾问的，提供咨询


参考例句：





I have worked in an advisory capacity with many hospitals.我曾在多家医院做过顾问工作。
He was appointed to the advisory committee last month.他上个月获任命为顾问委员会委员。












4
supervisor

  
 


n.监督人，管理人，检查员，督学，主管，导师


参考例句：





Between you and me I think that new supervisor is a twit.我们私下说，我认为新来的主管人是一个傻瓜。
He said I was too flighty to be a good supervisor.他说我太轻浮不能成为一名好的管理员。












5
comedian

  
 


n.喜剧演员；滑稽演员


参考例句：





The comedian tickled the crowd with his jokes.喜剧演员的笑话把人们逗乐了。
The comedian enjoyed great popularity during the 30's.那位喜剧演员在三十年代非常走红。












6
rehearsals

  
 


n.练习( rehearsal的名词复数 )；排练；复述；重复


参考例句：





The earlier protests had just been dress rehearsals for full-scale revolution. 早期的抗议仅仅是大革命开始前的预演。
She worked like a demon all through rehearsals. 她每次排演时始终精力过人。 来自《简明英汉词典》












7
trademark

  
 


n.商标；特征；vt.注册的…商标


参考例句：





The trademark is registered on the book of the Patent Office.该商标已在专利局登记注册。
The trademark of the pen was changed.这钢笔的商标改了。