Three days later.
Thursday morning.
Beijing Television Station's recording studio.
"Place the podium over here. Right, diagonally." Dafei was directing a few staff members to set up the program's setting, "The guest seats are placed opposite the podium."
"The lighting won't do. It's too dark." Hou Ge said.
Xiao Lu was lowering her head to write the introductions for the guest and lecturer. It was for Zhang Ye.
Although the few of them were not industry insiders in the full sense of the word, they were all elites in their respective fields. Even if they did not know much about the television program industry or the specifics, they were still very professional in their work. They would not have any problems with their specialties.
Zhang Ye arrived.
"Teacher Zhang, you're here?" Dafei greeted.
Xiao Lu had also finished writing and immediately came forward, "Teacher Zhang, this is for you. This is the introductions. It's a brief introduction of the lecturer and guest."
"Alright, let me memorize it." Many hosts would use cue cards when introducing guests. Some hosts would even go to great lengths to use a teleprompter. However, Zhang Ye never had such a habit. He liked to do things perfectly and was also a professional. He was more particular about going off script. This was because to Zhang Ye, this was what it meant to be professional. Those who looked at the cue cards and had the Director's microphone to remind them were amateurs to Zhang Ye. Unless he had no other choice, he would definitely not do such a thing. He was pursuing a different goal. Zhang Ye had very high standards for himself.
Half an hour later.
Hu Fei walked over quickly, "Is everything ready?"
"It's all ready, Brother Hu." Dafei said, "I've already checked twice."
Hu Fei smiled, "Alright, I'm assured with you guys handling things." Looking at his watch, he said, "It's about time. The audience should be entering the venue. Are the guests and lecturers here?"
Xiao Lu said, "I don't see anyone."
"They're not here yet?" Hu Fei was stunned, "I informed them that it was 8 AM. It's already been half an hour."
"Then I'll rush them." Xiao Lu was in charge of contacting them. She immediately made a call and after a long time, she hung up and said, "The Teachers said they'll be here soon."
Zhang Ye frowned. He had wanted to exchange some lines with the Teachers in advance, but it looked like there was no time now.
"Let's not wait any longer. Let the audience in first," Hu Fei ordered.
Contacting the lecturer, planning the effects of the program, communicating with the lecturer, these things had been delayed for a long time. Today was already Thursday, and this episode of the program was going to be broadcast on Saturday. They definitely couldn't delay it any longer. They had to record it today, or else it would be too late.
The audience entered the studio one after another.
Some people came with tickets, which were distributed by the station. Some people were from the cooperative units. They did not need tickets and could enter just by saying a word.
"Little Zhang!"
"Haha, Teacher Zhang!"
As he was memorizing a script, someone called out to him from behind.
Auntie Sun, Big Sister Zhou, and Xiaofang also came.
"Why are you guys here?" Zhang Ye was clearly unaware and was amused.
Auntie Sun said with a smile, "This is your first time being a host, hosting a new program. Of course we have to come and support you. We fought so hard to get the tickets."
Big Sis Zhou pointed at him. "Perform well. Big Sis has high hopes for you."
Zhang Ye said, "Then the few of you can sit in the front row, in the VIP seats, hur hur."
"Alright, we will bask in your glory and enjoy the VIP treatment." Auntie Sun and company sat in the first row, which was very close to the stage. The program tickets were issued at the last minute and were not very formal. There were no seat numbers. After all, the studio was rather small and their new program did not have any fame, so they were not particular about it. Since there were no seat numbers, Zhang Ye's words in the program team still had power. Arranging a few VIP seats was naturally not a problem. Zhang Ye was quite touched that his old colleagues had come to support him.
The audience was present.
His former assistant, Xiaofang, giggled and suddenly took out a piece of paper from her bag. It was not really a piece of paper, but a banner. On it was Zhang Ye's name. Like a groupie, she kept waving it above her head.
Zhang Ye gave a wry smile. It didn't have to be like this, right?
Xiao Lu stamped her feet anxiously. "Why aren't they here yet!?"
Hu Fei's expression did not look too good. "Call again! Do they have any sense of time!? "
Xiao Lu called them one by one and then said to Hu Fei, "It seems like they came here together. Or are they going to be here soon?"
"It's already been more than half a day?" Hou Ge was also unhappy.
"Are they more famous than celebrities? Isn't it just because they went on a Central TV program!? "Hou Di grunted.
After much discussion and research, and also in the past few days, Hu Fei and the program team had decided to talk about the Romance of the Three Kingdoms in the first episode of "Musings of History". Why? This was because this was one of the Four Great Classical Novels. Basically everyone had read this novel before. The audience base was relatively large, and the influence was also relatively large. If it was used as the first episode of the program, it could attract more viewers and use it to pull up the viewership ratings. Otherwise, if it was a relatively unpopular episode of history, characters, or novels, which many people did not understand, it would be strange if the viewership ratings were good. The first episode was also the most important episode. Hu Fei and company could not ignore it. They had to do their best!
Hence, they invited a professor from Renmin University. His name was Ma Hengyuan. He was not a historian, nor did his specialty research history. He was a serious professor of the Literature Department. His research direction and expertise were historical novels and literary works. In this field, he was considered quite an authority in the industry. Especially his understanding of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" was very deep. He had even gone on a program on Central TV to answer questions about the Three Kingdoms for some university students. It might not be considered much in China, but he was still a rather famous professor in Beijing. Hu Fei had spent a lot of money to invite this professor because he valued his professional knowledge and reputation.
As for the guests?
They were also some literary enthusiasts and experts in the industry. They were not inferior.
But who would have thought that these people would be so late on the day of the program's recording? This also showed the other party's attitude. It seemed like they did not value their program. Yes, Hu Fei and company also admitted that their channel could not compare to Central TV. But no matter what, they were still a local television station with a greater influence. How could they do this?
Everyone was waiting for someone.
The audience also became impatient.
"Why isn't it starting yet?"
"Didn't they say it would start at 8: 30?"
"That's right. It's almost 9."
Zhang Ye could only pick up the microphone and say to the audience, "Everyone, I'm sorry. The program's recording might be slightly delayed. Everyone, please record your applause. Thank you for your cooperation." A natural applause was of course the best, but it was usually impossible to achieve such an effect. Hence, for the broadcast effect of a program, a television station's program team would usually record the applause and cheers at the beginning. It could be added in later on to increase the visual effect.
Xiao Lu went to receive the applause, "I'll count to one, two, three. Everyone clap together …"
After the applause was recorded and the audience's expressions were recorded, they entered into an unconfirmed wait.
A youth could no longer sit still. He stood up and said, "Teacher Zhang Ye, since it hasn't started, why don't you give me an autograph?" Saying that, he took out a copy of "Ghost Blows Out the Light" from his bag.
Zhang Ye smiled and walked off the stage, "Sure."
"That's great. I came just to see you!" The youth was very excited.
After Zhang Ye gave him his autograph, another girl ran up, "I want one too, I want one too!"
A moment later, another old lady came to ask for his autograph, "My child especially likes your fairy tales."
After signing three times, no one asked for his autograph. After all, Zhang Ye was not that famous. Most of the people present probably did not even know who he was. Not many people would pay attention to his works and deeds the moment they went online. Those who paid attention to him were the minority, so it was very normal.
"Who is this host?"
"I don't know."
"Very famous? Why haven't I seen him before? "
"None of you know Zhang Ye?"
Just as the audience was whispering, a few guests and lecturers finally arrived!
A figure appeared backstage. The first to walk out was Renmin University's Professor, Ma Hengyuan. He was an old man in his fifties. His nose was a little sharp. It was obvious that he was not a person who was easy to talk to. Behind him were two men and a woman. They were today's three guests. Two of them were middle-aged men with the surname Xu. One was Teacher Xu, a teacher from Beijing Normal University. The other was Editor Xu, a deputy editor-in-chief of a publishing house in Beijing. The last female comrade was younger than them. Her name was Ci Yan. She was a newspaper reporter and was in charge of the literature section.
Hu Fei's expression was calm, "Professor Ma."
"Producer Hu." Ma Hengyuan smiled, "On the way here, we were discussing some matters. It's all about the program, so we came late."
Hu Fei did not say much, "It's alright. Shall we begin now?"
"Sure." Ma Hengyuan said.
"Let me introduce you." Hu Fei pointed his hand towards Zhang Ye, "This is Zhang Ye, the host. He will cooperate with you during the recording."
Zhang Ye stretched out his hand, "Professor Ma, nice to meet you."
Ma Hengyuan glanced at him, as though he did not see his hand. He nodded, "I got it."
No handshake?
What do you mean?
Hou Ge and Dafei's faces turned black. You came late, yet your attitude is so arrogant?
That Teacher Xu and Editor Xu also pretended not to see Zhang Ye. They were only talking to Ma Hengyuan, as though they were trying to push Zhang Ye out.
Only the newspaper reporter, Ci Yan, took the initiative to stretch out her hand, "Hello, Teacher Zhang."
"Hello." Zhang Ye shook hands with Ci Yan, as though he did not take what had happened to heart.
They did not have their microphones on, so the audience could not hear them clearly. But could they not see? Seeing Zhang Ye being ignored, with the three of them not even shaking hands, many people immediately began to discuss. Auntie Sun and Big Sis Zhou were even more indignant!
"What kind of people are they!"
"We've given them face!"
"They even showed their faces to Teacher Little Zhang?"
"So what if they're professors? So what if they're experts? Do they really think they're that great? Old bastard! "
Big Sis Zhou and company began to curse. Zhang Ye's colleagues, such as Xiao Lu and Hou Ge, were also very unhappy!
Why did they have to treat Zhang Ye this way? Just thinking about it made sense. These people were most likely the more traditional literary practitioners. Zhang Ye had scolded his unit, scolded his Leaders, and had even publicly fallen out with the Beijing Writers' Association a few days ago. He did not even agree to the China Writers' Association's invitation. This time, in the literary circles, Zhang Ye was infamous. Many literary practitioners had blacklisted him and disdained to be associated with him.
Hu Fei whispered, "Little Zhang, bear with it."
"It's fine." Zhang Ye was magnanimous. He had to consider the bigger picture. This was his first time being a television host, so he could not mess it up!
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