Zhao Benshan quits Spring Festival Gala once again
- By Zhang Rui
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E-mail China.org.cn, January 18, 2013
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Comedian Zhao Benshan performs "Won a Lottery!" skit during the recording of Liaoning TV's Spring Festival Gala, Jan. 17, 2012. [youth.cn] |
A brief notice published the afternoon of Jan. 18 on the official China Central Television (CCTV) blog stated that Zhao had quit because of his perfectionism.
It is the second time Zhao has abandoned China's main Spring Festival stage as most Chinese people will gather around their television sets to watch the Spring Festival Gala on Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve, which falls on Feb. 9 this year.
Zhao Benshan was absent from last year's gala due to health issues as he had been working very hard during rehearsals, leading to exhaustion and forcing him to drop out before the actual event took place. His spokesman at the time said he would not miss the following year's show.
After a year of recovery, Zhao seemed to be in very good shape. He starred in recent Wong Kar-wai kung fu blockbuster "The Grandmaster," and was set to perform on several local television networks' New Year galas.
However, during the recording of Liaoning TV's Spring Festival Gala yesterday, Zhao unexpectedly performed his rumored "Won a Lottery!" skit, which was supposed to be performed during CCTV's gala. According to regulations, when a script is performed during another gala, it cannot be reprised on CCTV. The announcement of Zhao's withdrawal from the major event followed today.
"During the development of the show, Zhao Benshan felt the comedy sketch had never quite lived up to his expectations. Therefore, after careful consideration, Zhao decided to quit this year's gala," the statement said, "We fully understand and respect Zhao Benshan's decision, sincerely thank him for all the effort he made for the Spring Gala, and deeply regret the course of events."
Zhao Benshan first appeared on the CCTV New Year's Gala in 1990 and became a regular performer at the annual event, with the exception of 1994. He has become a household name with Chinese people, and especially so on China's New Year's Eve.
He also has created dozens of sketches, and has directed and starred in several TV series and films, which have all proved to be hugely popular with Chinese audiences.
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