OPINION> Commentary
Party just for fun
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-01-24 08:04

For Chinese people, the Spring Festival evening party is arguably the most awaited TV show during the Lunar New Year.

Ever since such a party was first staged in 1983, it has been termed a visual feast most Chinese rivet their eyes on until the bell tolls, marking the arrival of the Lunar New Year.

There is no denying that a number of performances at these parties have been etched into our memories forever.

In recent years though, complaints on the quality of the show have mounted. Still, many prefer to sit before their television sets watching the show only to criticize it.

They know most of the performances will not be as good as they expect, but it will be a pity if they miss the great ones.

In most cases, quite a number of people feel disappointed. Some even swear that they will never watch the show again. But rarely do they keep their promise.

Has the quality of the party deteriorated? Some say so. But compare the performances in recent years with those in the 1980s or 1990s, and it would seem unfair to believe that.

The question is, what do you really expect of the show.

If you want to watch high-quality artistic performances, this party is not for you.

In the last few hours of a passing year, what people want is a carnival-like show to enjoy, and relax after working hard over the past year.

This was exactly the reason the party was conceived in the first place when TV sets became common in ordinary Chinese households.

Without stepping out in freezing temperatures, they could watch, together with their whole family, performances of artists singing, dancing, doing acrobatic stunts and performing skits.

Billions of the people watch this show, and it is impossible for everyone to appreciate it. It's natural for some of them to get fed up with certain repeat performers.

This year, an unofficial Spring Festival evening party is also being staged. Hopefully, it won't find space on our television sets, but a lot of people might watch it online.

But no matter which one of the parties we choose to watch, the best way to enjoy them is to have fun, not criticize them because they're not up to our expectations.

(China Daily 01/24/2009 page4)