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Another example of the government's push-pull attitudes towards Western culture. For years, officials have been bothered by the flashy, sexy formats of TV game shows that feature Chinese guys and gals searching for a date. Last week they finally pulled the trigger by bumping one of the more popular shows, "Take Me Out," in favor of something called "Ordinary Hero," which feature uplifting tales of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. From NPR:
According to new directives, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has cut almost 70 percent of entertainment shows from prime time, with 126 entertainment shows pruned down to just 38. Broadcasters are allowed to air only two entertainment shows a week, with a maximum of 90 minutes of entertainment daily between 7:30 and 10 p.m. Online there's been an outcry, with netizens decrying the killjoy moves as "doomsday for entertainment."
This obviously has been building for some time. Here's a news report from 2010.
Mark Lacter created the LA Biz Observed blog in 2006. He posted
until the day before his death on Nov. 13, 2013.