Wang Xiong patiently finished reading the rest of the proposal.
Zhang Ye, who was sitting opposite him, said, "Talk Show is a transliteration of Talk-Show. As for why it's called this, well, it's just a name I came up with. The general idea is to combine current events into a joke segment for the audience. For example, songs, movies, or even some trending news in society. They can all be used to make interesting jokes to make the audience laugh. Well, it's simple like that."
Wang Xiong looked at him, as if he was trying to confirm if he was joking with him. When he saw Zhang Ye's serious eyes, he said in a speechless manner, "Isn't that just a lecture program? At most, it will be a news segment, and some current events will be added to share with the audience? "
Zhang Ye waved his hands, knowing that he still did not understand. "It's not a lecture, nor is it news. Actually, the core selling point of this program is to be funny. The main goal is to let everyone relax. As for the current events and news used in the talk show, the authenticity is not important. The rumors on the internet can even be casually used. Whether it's groundless or distorted history, it doesn't matter. What matters is that it's funny."
"Then it's similar to a variety show? A few hosts will invite guests to constantly mock and ridicule? To achieve a funny effect? "Wang Xiong asked.
Zhang Ye shook his head, "Not really. I'm the only host. It's different from the traditional variety shows you mentioned. I don't even need to invite guests, nor do I need any help from outsiders. I just need a few dozen audience members. There will be no pranks or games, just listening to what I say."
"You alone?"
"Yes."
"Listening to your jokes?"
"Yes."
"Isn't that just a monologue?"
"It's not the same. A monologue has a theme, while a talk show doesn't have much of a theme. Even if it does, it's a directional theme. It's not clear, and it doesn't even have a beginning or an end. It's just made up of joke segments. It's very different from a monologue."
A famous talk show artist from Zhang Ye's previous world had once said that when he first started doing talk shows, he did not neglect crosstalk. But when he went back to do crosstalk, he was too familiar with the way talk shows were done, so his performance was a mess. Later on, he adjusted and found the knack, allowing him to do both talk shows and crosstalk. From this, it could be seen that the two art forms were completely different concepts.
Wang Xiong said, "Maybe I'm blind. I've never heard of such a program before. Could it be that there are such new programs overseas?"
Zhang Ye answered, "Not yet."
"Does that mean you created it?" Wang Xiong rubbed his forehead.
Zhang Ye nodded. "Yes, I have the confidence to do a good job with this show."
Wang Xiong looked down at the proposal again. After a long period of silence, he said to him, "Little Zhang, it's not that I don't believe in your standards, but this program format is too different. It's also too 'novel'. Do you think the audience can accept it? In any case, I can't accept the program plan. Countless jokes and joke segments, can they support a program? Impossible! How could it be so simple! In the past, there had been some storytelling programs that told short stories and jokes. However, it had been proven that such programs had too many limitations. They could not pull in the audience and did not have that kind of appeal. It was fine to tell jokes, but it was just like a variety show. It was good to tell jokes occasionally, but if they were to keep telling jokes for an entire episode, then the entire program would be piled up with jokes. How would others see that? They would lose their patience after watching half an episode. "
Zhang Ye could not help but smile wryly. "Leader, I've said it before. A talk show is not simply telling jokes. It has its own artistic form and artistic charm."
"I can't approve this program's proposal." Wang Xiong rejected it.
Zhang Ye immediately said, "I've really prepared for a long time. I have the confidence and ability to …"
Wang Xiong interrupted. He was very sure of his judgment. "If it's such a program, you might as well continue talking about history. Even if the audience's age is limited, at least it wouldn't be so unconventional. This talk show of yours is too unconventional. It won't be popular."
However, Zhang Ye said, "It will definitely be popular!"
Wang Xiong looked at him, "Change it to something else?"
"I insist on this program." Zhang Ye was very firm. "You might think that the audience, who have never seen a talk show format, might not be able to accept it. It's alright. I can try a few episodes. Let's see from the program's effects. If it really doesn't work and the audience doesn't buy it, we can cut the program."
Wang Xiong frowned, "You are that confident?"
"Yes." Zhang Ye said calmly, "I've never been so confident before!"
Wang Xiong had seen many hosts or program planners who had their proposals rejected. The program proposal they made was definitely something they liked and thought would be popular. That was why they submitted it. Every time Wang Xiong rejected it, the other party would argue for what was right. They would not be in a good mood and would constantly tell Wang Xiong how good their new program was. They would be excited and anxious. However, Zhang Ye's reaction made Wang Xiong take another look at him. This was because he was not that excited. He even appeared rather calm. He simply told Wang Xiong that his program would definitely be good.
Patting the proposal, Wang Xiong said softly, "Let's do it this way. You are not a newbie in the field of program and advertisement planning. You have also achieved very dazzling results. That's why the company dares to let you develop your own program. If you are not satisfied, I can send the proposal to the higher-ups. Go back and wait for news."
"Alright. Thank you, Director Wang." Zhang Ye did not say anything else. He opened the door and left.
The moment he left, Wang Xiong took the document and went straight to the head. The core of the WebTV department was the online programs. It was the most important part of their department. Hence, the decision and approval of new programs were personally handled by the few Leaders.
… …
Outside.
Zhang Ye did not return to the office. Instead, he went to the bathroom and washed his face with cold water. He looked at himself in the mirror and felt a little conflicted.
What if they did not approve it?
What if they thought that talk shows were not good enough?
A brand new program was something many people did not have the guts to do. This was because they would think that if such a program could become popular, why didn't other television stations think of it? Why didn't they do it? Their ideology was very conservative, so they had an instinctive aversion to new things. The longer they worked, the more conservative they would be. But in this world, probably only Zhang Ye knew that an art form like a talk show could really become popular. It was extremely popular, both at home and abroad. Some people couldn't even sleep on weekends without watching a talk show!
But how was he to tell them?
Tell them that he was from another world, and that talk shows in his world were very popular? This art form had already been recognized by the market?
Who would believe that!
But it couldn't be said that way!
Ten minutes later, Zhang Ye came out of the bathroom and returned to the office.
Ah Qian was walking towards him. When he saw Zhang Ye, he said, "Teacher Zhang, I was looking for you. Just now, the Director's secretary asked you to go to her office upstairs. It might be about the program."
"Alright." Zhang Ye went.
Outside, he knocked on the door.
Feng Guiqin's voice came from inside, "Please come in."
Zhang Ye pushed the door open and entered the office. He saw four to five people sitting on the guest sofa. They were all around a table, looking at Zhang Ye's proposal. Among them was Director Feng Guiqin, as well as Wang Xiong. Zhang Ye did not know the others, but he had seen them before. They were probably department Leaders.
"Little Zhang, have a seat." Feng Guiqin pointed to the small sofa beside her and shook the document in her hand, "This is your new program?"
Zhang Ye sat down, "Yes."
Feng Guiqin observed the people on both sides, "What do you think?"
A middle-aged man said, "To be honest, I'm quite disappointed. I can't see any core selling point or appeal in this so-called talk show. We hired Zhang Ye with a high salary because we valued his program planning ability and eloquence. But this proposal is very boring. I don't think there's a need to carry it out."
Wang Xiong spoke up for Zhang Ye, "Old Gu, it's not as bad as you say. It's just not very good."
The Leader called Old Gu said, "But it's far from my expectations. 'Lecture Room' is the best historical lecture program I've ever seen."
Another man in his thirties nudged his glasses and threw down the proposal in his hand, "The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment. I don't think much of this talk show either. What's the point of a program that only tells jokes? Some people might think it's not bad with a glance, but it's impossible for them to maintain long-term attention. There are even many viewers who won't even watch it. Isn't it just plagiarizing a joke segment from the internet? What technical content can there be? The copyright issue is also a problem. What if someone accuses us of plagiarism and we end up in a lawsuit? What if there's a negative impact? "
Zhang Ye explained, "It's not plagiarism. My joke segments are definitely new."
Old Gu said, "How many new joke segments can you come up with alone? How many episodes can you last? And even if we don't talk about this problem, your program itself has its flaws. "
The man in his thirties said, "The most important thing is, what's the appeal of this program? There's no handsome guy, and you don't need any pretty girls. You're the only one who can tell jokes? Can't the audience go online and search for jokes? Why would they want to listen to your program? Am I right, Zhang Ye? "
Right, right?
Right, your grandpa!
The two of them argued back and forth, but all of them were negative!
Finally, that person even said, "Are we right?"
Zhang Ye was annoyed by their nagging, so he brought up a very deep sentence from his memory. It was what Director Feng Xiaogang had said when he was directing the Spring Festival Gala and contradicted the leaders who came to review the program. Zhang Ye said to the two of them, "I will definitely listen to the leaders' opinions and implement them! But if you insist on me saying that you're right! That won't do! You can't deny the basic judgment of an artist like me! "
Old Gu frowned, "You're still not convinced?"
"Alright, both of you, cut it out." Feng Guiqin said, "Although I don't think highly of this unprecedented program, the reason is that I can't judge whether it's good or bad. As it's a first, there's no experience in the entire world with such a program. Let's do it this way. We can let Little Zhang give it a try, but only for one episode. Let's record an episode and see what happens. If the viewership ratings don't even reach 500,000, then sorry, the program will definitely have to be axed."
Old Gu said, "Director, there's no need to give it a try, right?"
That man said, "Besides, it's a waste of resources. The venue layout and advertisements all require money."
Feng Guiqin said, "So let's give it a try for one episode. We have to give young people who dare to innovate a chance. Let's do it this way. Little Zhang, we'll be waiting to see your results?"
Zhang Ye was touched. He did not expect that the leader would really agree to it, "Don't worry, I won't let you down!"
That was great!
As long as he was allowed to go on the program, he would let everyone open their eyes and see what a talk show was!
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