Deng Siqing rolled her eyes, annoyed, "Does your skit even have a kissing scene?"
Cheng Huanhuan said, "I was just saying! Why are you jealous? As if I'd actually kiss Da Fei!"
Deng Siqing's face flushed crimson, and she fiercely pinched Cheng Huanhuan's thigh.
How embarrassing, saying things like that in front of Da Fei!
Their rehearsal was simple. They didn't need a specific venue, so they went straight to Deng Siqing's place. Lin Chudong wrote a script on the spot, writing down Cheng Huanhuan's lines and giving her a brief explanation.
"Huanhuan, most of the jokes in this act are on you. If you can't let loose, we're wasting our time."
Cheng Huanhuan was very satisfied with the script. "Don't worry. Come on, let's perform it once for Deng Siqing to see!"
The two of them performed it together, and Deng Siqing's eyes sparkled.
"Interesting, this show is so interesting, I haven't seen enough."
Lin Chudong was actually quite surprised. Cheng Huanhuan herself was a beauty, a type of urban lady. This kind of female host usually had an idol complex, and her image absolutely couldn't be damaged.
But Cheng Huanhuan had no idol complex at all, and she was very open when acting. The effect of this show reached at least eighty percent of his expectations.
Reaching this level gave Lin Chudong confidence.
"Sister Huan, don't go out these two days, just rehearse well. We must create a perfect effect."
Cheng Huanhuan shrugged. "Come on, I don't have anything to do anyway. I'll rehearse a few more times."
It wasn't that Lin Chudong was being picky; it was mainly that he lacked confidence in his own acting skills. He was used to the golden finger given by the system, and it had spoiled him.
All these skills came from the system. Only his acting skills were explored by himself, and he didn't know if his current acting skills could reach [Beginner Acting].
Before, he felt he had made great progress and gained a lot of insights from the program he performed with Teacher Zhao. This time, he also wanted to seek a breakthrough while rehearsing the program with Cheng Huanhuan.
Those classic works absolutely could not be ruined in his hands.
It wasn't that Lin Chudong had some lofty ideals, but he didn't want to leave an opportunity for future generations to remake them.
If he couldn't perform a classic work perfectly, then he wouldn't perform it.
Otherwise, the script's ideas would be exposed, and if someone else made it a hit later, wouldn't the system be helping others?
So, Lin Chudong was extremely strict with himself. He took out his phone, set up the recording, and rehearsed with Cheng Huanhuan again and again.
"This part isn't right. Pause a little before speaking. The audience will applaud or laugh here."
"If this gag doesn't land, don't hesitate, just move on to the next one, or it'll immediately go cold."
"Act a little more coyly in this part, be a bit bashful."
"..."
Cheng Huanhuan was exhausted after acting with Da Fei all afternoon.
"My dear Da Fei, please spare me. I really can't do it anymore. I'm going to die of exhaustion. Don't torment me anymore."
Lin Chudong: …
What kind of suggestive words were these?
"Alright, let's take a break. We'll practice again tonight."
Cheng Huanhuan: …
While Deng Siqing was changing clothes, Cheng Huanhuan went over and whispered, "My dear Sister Deng, I'm holding hands with your Da Fei. Aren't you jealous?"
Deng Siqing rolled her eyes. "Do I seem like someone with such a small mindset?"
"That's true. You don't even care about Lin Qiqi. You're the new Boiling Goat of the 21st century."
"Get lost!"
Deng Siqing went to work in the evening. Lin Chudong and Cheng Huanhuan had a meal at home.
Cheng Huanhuan also took this show quite seriously, but she wasn't as crazy about rehearsing as Lin Chudong.
She took out a table and put it on the table. The two of them ate and studied at the same time.
"This is the list of the first guests, including your old acquaintance, Mao Feifei."
Lin Chudong glanced at it. The first guests listed were Mao Feifei and Chen Ya.
The last time Mao Feifei wanted to put his wife on the show, Lin Chudong had refused several times.
Chen Ya's temperament really wasn't suited for performing in a skit. She could act in TV dramas and stage plays without a problem, but in a skit, many of the punchlines simply wouldn't land with her.
She wasn't particularly pretty, nor was she particularly honest. Lin Chudong wasn't optimistic about her.
Mao Feifei was even worse. He was stiff on stage, and his performance was filled with awkwardness. Even if their script was limited by the Spring Festival Gala's review system, their performance was just so-so, nothing to worry about.
Lin Chudong wasn't surprised that Mao Feifei was performing again. He had some connections in the drama troupe, and since he could get on the Spring Festival Gala, he must have some relationship with Director Qiu.
"It's okay, we just need to perform well. We can win against them in the first round."
This show, although they said there were no shenanigans, was actually controlled by the director's team for eliminations. Everyone knew this implicitly.
However, the director's team wouldn't randomly eliminate people. As long as your show was good, you wouldn't be eliminated.
But if two performances were equally effective, the director's decision would determine who was eliminated.
For example, if Mao Feifei and that pair of crosstalk performers had similar scores, while Lin Chudong's score was very high, Mao Feifei would definitely be eliminated.
Because the combination of Mao Feifei and Chen Ya was somewhat similar to the combination of Lin Chudong and Cheng Huanhuan.
Both were sketches with one man and one woman, and the viewing experience was similar. It was impossible to keep both of these groups and eliminate the only group of crosstalk performers.
In the first round of initial guests, only Lin Chudong and Mao Feifei's groups were somewhat similar. The others all had unique types, encompassing all comedy categories.
So, according to common sense, the eliminated guest in the first round would definitely be between Lin Chudong and Mao Feifei.
If their scores were similar, Director Qiu would certainly consider personal connections and keep Lin Chudong, eliminating Mao Feifei.
But if he was really at the same level as Mao Feifei, Lin Chudong himself wouldn't have the face to stay on the show.
Director Qiu specifically requested Lin Chudong to be the headliner, and yet he got eliminated in the first round? Lin Chudong can't afford to lose face like this!
Cheng Huanhuan said, "Besides Mao Feifei, there's also a pair of crosstalk performers. They seem to be from a folk crosstalk troupe, with a lot of experience, but they don't seem very popular."
Yu Hong and Meng Xin, these two crosstalk performers, aren't very famous, but they're not young either. They've performed in local small theaters for many years and can barely be considered veteran artists.
"The strongest is this group called the 'Ant Team'. They've been on the Spring Festival Gala a few times, and they're very popular. I've watched their previous skits, and they're really good. Their main performer is Yan Baoshan, and he has a lot of fans."
Lin Chudong searched for the Ant Team and found that they did have some real skill. Both their performances and their skit scripts were refreshing, focusing on creativity.
"The last two are considered cross-overs. Although they're also comedy actors, they're both television actors. I wonder how they'll perform."
Cheng Huanhuan studied the competitors for a long time, feeling a bit uneasy inside, wondering if they could succeed this time.
"You're hosting the first episode, right? Director Qiu is really biased. I'm the professional host, and yet he's letting you go on stage!"
Lin Chudong shrugged and said, "Because I'm more popular than you."
Cheng Huanhuan: …This stings.
She remembered how hard Lin Chudong had worked to get on a show back at Modu Television Station. She'd seen it all firsthand.
Back then, to get some buzz, Lin Chudong even stirred up rumors with Li Dan and Zhang Yao. And now, in less than a year, Lin Chudong had become a mainstay of variety shows. So impressive.
Luckily, her good friend Deng Siqing used her beauty to seduce Da Fei, giving Cheng Huanhuan a chance to ride on their coattails.
The next day, after the show's recording, Lin Chudong immediately flew back to Jincheng.
The filming of Swordsman continued, and the progress wasn't affected. Everything was going smoothly.
Saturday night at eight o'clock, on Channel 13 of the central television station.
I Am a Comedian premiered.
Liang Yin and the others were sitting in a room watching TV.
Liang Yin looked dissatisfied, "The hotel's TV is still too small, it's not nearly as good as the one at our company."
Lin Chudong said, "It's good enough. When you're away from home, can you expect it to be as good as your own place?"
Jia Lu and the others from the chips group had prepared quite a spread, with plenty of snacks.
Several people gathered in this small hotel room to watch the show.
After a cool opening sequence, a red-toned stage set came into view.
This stage design seemed to have cost a lot of money and was very well-made.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Lin Chudong made a handsome entrance.
Dressed in a suit and standing center stage, he really did have the air of a host.
"You are currently watching a comedy show that's dazzling at first glance, pleasing to the eye upon closer inspection, attention-grabbing, and overflowing with sketches, with laughter that never ends."
"I Am a Comedian!"
"Hello everyone, I am a comedian, Da Fei."
The audience erupted in applause.
Liang Yin also laughed, "Da Fei's rhyming is really something."
This opening instantly ignited the audience's anticipation.
"The rhyming madman is back, and the sign language teacher is on their way with a thirty-meter long blade."
"Everyone says Da Fei is a breath of fresh air in the hosting world, but I feel like he's a flood, haha!"
"The iron-clad sign language interpreter, the iron-willed Da Fei."
"Sign language interpreter: Why do you always steal the show? Da Fei: Because I need to boost my performance."
"The sign language interpreters who have worked with Da Fei are highly valued."
"Even though there's no sign language interpreter on this show, everyone is still having so much fun discussing it, hahaha!"
"Da Fei is so strong, hosting and being a contestant! Without Teacher Zhao, can Da Fei hold up the show on his own?"
"Hard to say. While Working Experience is wonderful, Teacher Zhao's performance played a big part. Da Fei is taking on the comedic role this time, I wonder if he can pull it off."
"Of course Da Fei can! The last show was directed and performed by Da Fei himself. He's like the supporting role in a comedic duo, seemingly insignificant, but actually very important."
"Everyone, no need to argue, just watch and you'll see."
"..."
Lin Chudong's hosting continued, and the camera cut to Cheng Huanhuan for a moment.
This shot was Director Qiu's mockery. A professional host had to watch a singer host on a comedy show; it was utterly infuriating.
"In 2027, let's listen to the whole world together, cast off yesterday's worries, and embrace tomorrow's happiness. Enjoy the great show!"
"Next, please welcome the first group of contestants, the Ant Team!"
Da Fei's wonderful hosting added a lot to the show.
The Ant Team, a very mature comedy troupe and the frontrunner for the championship this time, was the first to perform. They often performed large-scale plays and had extensive stage experience.
They had previously performed at galas on major local television stations, including the Spring Festival Gala. Yan Baoshan was the core member of the Ant Team. He was in his early forties, and his performance style was unique; just standing there was enough to make people laugh.
This time, the Ant Team had five members in total, and they performed a science fiction skit. Yan Baoshan played a scientist who comically traveled back and forth between the present and the future.
The show's effect was good, and every punchline landed. Letting the Ant Team open the show was definitely a wise choice.
Liang Yin and the others also laughed. "Yan Baoshan is so funny, Da Fei, where are they placed?"
Lin Chudong said, "You guys should watch it yourselves; I won't spoil it."
"Okay."
Yan Baoshan went on stage, and Lin Chudong interviewed him for a few questions.
Yan Baoshan looked like an old comedian, his words already carrying punchlines.
"I'm quite nervous for my first appearance, sharpening my spear at the last minute, I hope it shines! Please vote for me, don't let me be seriously injured. Finally, I wish you all constant smiles and longevity!"
Yan Baoshan's words immediately drew another round of laughter.
This was the strength of an old comedian. He had already learned Da Fei's rhymes, and performed a piece in front of the rhyme-obsessed Da Fei, the show's effect was instantly maximized.
"Yan Baoshan is really strong, the first episode's champion is probably a done deal."
"After all, Ant Team is a veteran comedy team, their stage experience is too rich, any program they bring out is a crushing blow."
"Looks like only Da Fei can compete with him?"
"You overestimate Da Fei, Da Fei might not even be better than Mao Feifei."
"That's ridiculous. If Da Fei can't even beat Mao Feifei, then don't bother watching him anymore."
"..."
Beijing.
Cheng Huanhuan watched as the camera cut to her again, feeling utterly speechless.
"Director Qiu is doing this on purpose, giving me a shot right after Da Fei finishes hosting."
Deng Siqing: Because you're pretty.
Cheng Huanhuan: Come on, that's just a dig at me. Look, the audience doesn't even know me, asking who this beauty is. My popularity is far behind Da Fei's.
Deng Siqing: That's true. Who told you not to rhyme? What's the use of being a host? You need to go viral now, and Da Fei has that ability.
Cheng Huanhuan: Yes, yes, yes, your Da Fei is so capable. You guys can all rhyme, right? It's just me who can't!
Deng Siqing: Exactly. Who told you you couldn't? If you want to show off in a comedy show, first ask yourself if you have the skills. Even if you're as learned as can be, without a microphone, you can't open your mouth, you can only stare blankly.
Cheng Huanhuan: …You're picking on me too much!
After the Ant Team went down, the second act was Mao Feifei and Chen Ya.
There was also a lot of applause when the two of them came on stage.
Not many people could recall Chen Ya's name, but she looked familiar to everyone. After all, she had played some roles, which left a deep impression.
Mao Feifei had just acted in Kung Fu Order. Even though his performance at the Lantern Festival Gala had been cancelled by Da Fei, his popularity was still quite high.
As soon as they appeared, there were cheers and screams.
Deng Siqing watched their performance and suddenly said.
"This is a bit like your show, isn't it?"
-----------------------
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