Being entertained is a big part of Chinese life. Watching films and TV shows are still, probably, the most popular forms of regular entertainment in the country. Over recent years more and more reality and talent shows are being shown, so it’s useful to know all about them so that you can converse with your friends and colleagues if they are discussing them.
In this Podcast, you will learn:
(i) To talk about some popular talent and reality shows
(ii) How to explain which shows are your favourites
Dialogue:
Two friends and comparing which shows they prefer to watch:
（在咖啡厅）
(zài kā fēi tīng)
(at the café)
A:这几年一下子冒出来好多真人秀，达人秀，还有脱口秀什么的。
Zhè jǐ nián yī xià zi mào chū lái hǎo duō zhēn rén xiù, dá rén xiù, hái yǒu tuō kǒu xiù shén me de.
So many reality shows, talent shows, and talk shows have been shown in the last few years.
B:对。前一阵儿，我挺喜欢看跑男的，现在我喜欢看中国新声音。
Duì, qián yī zhèn er, wǒ tǐng xǐ huān kàn pǎo nán de, xiàn zài wǒ xǐ huān kàn Zhōng Guó Xīn Shēng Yīn.
Yes. A while ago, I liked to watch the Running Man. Now I like to watch The New Voice of China.
A:我喜欢我是歌手，但新的一季还没播。我爸妈特别喜欢看非诚勿扰！
Wǒ xǐ huān Wǒ Shì Gē Shǒu, dàn xīn de yī jì hái méi bō. Wǒ bà mā tè bié xǐ huān kàn Fēi Chéng Wù Rǎo!
I like to watch I am a Singer, but the new season hasn’t come out yet. My parents really like to watch If You Are the One.
B:这么多好看的节目真是有点看不过来了。
Zhè me duō hǎo kàn de jié mu zhēn shì yǒu diǎn kàn bu guò lái le.
There are so many good shows but I don’t have enough time to watch all of them.
Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:
冒出来：pop-up/start
真人秀：reality shows
达人秀：talent shows
脱口秀：talk shows
跑男：Running Man
中国新声音：The New Voice of China
我是歌手：I am a Singer
季：season
非诚勿扰：If You Are the One
节目：show
看不过来：don’t have enough time to watch all of them
Cultural/Grammar note:
In recent years, there have been so many different kinds of shows popping up. Some are original shows, but some are other countries’ franchises. A few of them have become very popular, e.g. Running Man (奔跑吧兄弟), which is a Korean originated reality show. The Chinese version is very funny as well. ‘跑男’ is the short version for ‘奔跑吧兄弟’. After ‘跑男’ became popular, other similar reality shows started to emerge. Another popular show is The Voice of China (中国好声音). The Voice is very popular in the US but, in China, they made some changes to the show, and it is now called The New Voice of China (中国新声音). Another popular singing show is I am a Singer (我是歌手) which is also a Korean franchise. All competitors are professional, well-known singers. The most popular dating show in China is If You Are the One (非诚勿扰). There are around twenty bachelorettes, many of whom are good looking, and one bachelor. The bachelorettes can ask questions or watch a few clips of the bachelor’s introduction, then they decide if they want to date the man or not. If there is more than one girl wanting to date the man, he can only choose one in the end.
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