| Sunday, 8 June 2008 |
| in defence of 康熙 |
I was watching the latest episode of "康熙来了" on the youtube when I chanced upon a whole barrage of comments that really irked me. Basically, fans of 陈汉典 (who is the assistant host on the show) were writing tons of disparaging comments regarding the way the two hosts (蔡康永 & 小s) were treating him. They seem to think that the two hosts were ill treating him and that they didn't like him and were thus doing it on purpose. Eventually, they started to criticize the two hosts instead, saying awful things about them that were mostly untrue. (Some of the more 'spirited' commentators even suggested that 陈汉典 was the only funny aspect of the show and that the show would suck without him!) Most of the flack seemed to be aimed at 小s, which got me really really pissed because many of you would know that I absolutely adore her. She is one the funniest and unique hosts out there and her no-host-barred, in-your-face brand of humour is the reason why so many people enjoy watching the show in the first place.
I personally enjoy watching "康熙来了" because of the unique chemistry between 蔡康永 & 小s. I think that the only reason why the show works is because of this unique chemistry: their incessant bickering among themselves, their witty remarks targeted at not only their guests but also each other, their tag team approach of asking the most awkward questions. The show started out with just the two of them and they succeeded in making a name for themselves through this amazing chemistry. Indeed, many of the best episodes are made even before 陈汉典 was even added to the whole equation. To even suggest that 陈汉典 is the reason why people should watch the show is just blatant rubbish, because honestly, the show made its name without him and it'll do just fine without him as well. I honestly think that the show would collapse if either of the two hosts, 蔡康永 & 小s, were excluded, a fact that was proven when 小s went on maternity leave, not once, but twice over the course of the show's 4 year run so far. The episodes without her are some of the most dull ever.
I am not a fan of 陈汉典, but I don't dislike him either. I appreciate him for bringing some amount of humour to the show, but I don't think he is such a great addition to the show either. The show's watchability DOES NOT lie on his shoulders. His job is to be cannon fodder for the two hosts, a target for their acerbic wit and jibes. It is his job to be poked at, to be made fun at, to even be the target of their insults. I hate it when people just get all passionate about this and start jumping up to his defense and keep saying that he isn't respected and he isn't well taken care of in the show and that the two hosts are jealous of him and are thus mistreating him by making fun of him and insulting him all the time. If anything, what 蔡康永 & 小s are doing to him is far from mistreating him, in fact, they are literally helping him, giving him multiple chances to perform.
EVERY SINGLE JIBE AT HIM IS A CHANCE FOR HIM TO PERFORM. And its not as if the two hosts really hate him or something. I think 蔡康永 & 小s really like him, and the only reason why they are willing to let him wander around the show and do stupid things on it is that they actually see some talent in him and are willing to take him under their wing and allow him to develop some of those talents. Besides, all the insults and jibes are just part of the show, or as the Taiwanese would call it, 电视效果. They are just there to make the show more entertaining, to give each episode more humour and selling points. So seriously, its not real. Its just SHOWBIZ, and there's absolutely no need to read too much into it.
And seriously, 陈汉典 is funny, but he is not that funny. Some of his jokes are quite stale and most of the times, he just repeats his gags over and over again. His imitations are funny yes, but sometimes, he justs overdoes it and then it gets irritating and annoying. I get really irritated when people go on about him like he is some king of TV or some amazing talent and that he should be venerated or something, and that he can seemingly do no wrong. It somehow feels like 陈汉典 is always perfect and if they don't like something about the episode, it has to be 蔡康永's or 小s's fault.
I love "康熙来了". I especially love the two hosts. But I hate the way people seem to forget all the wonderful work they have both put in over the past 4 years to make the show a runaway success, and then stand on some new upstart's side to criticize them. If you don't like them, then stop complaining and don't watch the show, because let's face it, the show is called "康熙来了", and not "汉典来了". It's their show and it's they who put the humour and spirit into it.Labels: tv, 康熙来了 |
posted by voldemort33 @ 00:37  |
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