Unboxing, Director!

Chapter 73 Unlock the triple mission of Spring Festival Gala singer host
February 2000, 2, the 4th day of the twelfth lunar month.

There is no New Year’s Eve this year, so the 29th is New Year’s Eve.

Every year on this day, the Lao Lu family would get up and go around the capital city, eating and walking.

But today the 22-year tradition came to an end.

Lu Jiang has to perform on the Spring Festival Gala, so he has to be there at 9 a.m. and won’t be able to go home until next year.

So Lu Jiang helped Lao Lu put up the Spring Festival couplets early in the morning.

First couplet: Peace and happiness for the whole family
Second line: Rich flowers bloom and fill the room with spring

Banner: Peace in all seasons

Lao Lu chose this one from a bunch of Spring Festival couplets with different meanings.

The family made money and the old house was about to be completely recovered, and Lao Lu's mentality also changed.

In the early years, all the couplets were about getting rich.

As a result, the weather suddenly became mild this year.

In his words: A successful career and great success are not as important as living in peace and safety.

Lu Jiang agreed.

Safety first, peace and joy are the most precious.

But after the Spring Festival couplets were put up, Lao Lu said, "The house needs more people to be lively."

"You're not really interested in that sixty-something homeowner, are you?"

"Hey kid, I was pointing at you, didn't you hear it?"

"You'd better light the firecrackers."

Lu Jiang didn't say anything. He took out the two rolls of Wanxiang Dadihong that he had prepared, opened them downstairs, and pushed them forward like a firefighter. Two red dragons rolled up to the flower bed.

The father and son each caught one and lit it.

There was a crackling sound, and the whole community was rumbling.

There was no ban on fireworks in the capital at that time, so people started setting off firecrackers early in the morning, making it very lively.

Stepping on the red firecracker fragments all over the ground, Lu Jiang said goodbye to Lao Lu and set off for the CCTV building with Li Chao who came to pick him up.

Coming backstage again, today's scene was obviously much more chaotic than the previous rehearsals, and the actors no longer looked as relaxed as before.

Lu Jiang also unconsciously quickened his pace and no longer walked slowly, and hurried to the dressing room to complete his preparations.

Behind the scenes of the Spring Festival Gala, the dressing room is also related to the star's status.

Many less experienced artists have to share one dressing room with multiple people.

For example, Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei, both of them are famous, but their qualifications are too low, and more importantly, their connections in CCTV are relatively weak, so they can only share.

In fact, they are both pretty good, and they are one of the highlights of this year's Spring Festival Gala.

Like Zhang Ziyi, who also participated in the Spring Festival Gala, she didn't even have the qualifications to share a dressing room. After putting on makeup in the unified dressing room, she went to the backstage hall and corridor to find a place to wait. If she was lucky, she could get a seat, but if she was unlucky, she had to stand and wait.

If it was last year's Lu Jiang, he would basically have received the same treatment as Xiaoyanzi and the others, but this year his status has risen rapidly, becoming the top pop singer in mainland China, the new king of Chinese pop, and the quasi-Asian king. Most importantly, he won glory for the country once, so he was given the treatment of an independent dressing room.

However, Lu Jiang rarely uses this dressing room. It is a bit small and cannot take care of the Terracotta Warriors. He also likes to wander around, so most of the time, it is left to small stars such as Pu Shu and Zhang Ziyi.

It doesn't take them long. If it's not their turn, they sit for a while and chat. When it's almost their turn, they get up and leave. After the show is over, they come back to say goodbye and leave. They are very well-behaved.

At 9 o'clock, the final cutscene began.

Then in the afternoon, some singers were left behind to record the audio again.

Last year, the Spring Festival Gala had a live singing show, but there were many accidents. The Spring Festival Gala learned a big lesson, so it does not plan to do a live singing show again.

All singers will record once first. The singers can sing live at the party, but the pre-recorded audio will be played during the live TV broadcast to ensure the program effect when it is broadcast on TV.

After all, with such a big stage and hundreds of millions of audiences at home and abroad, it is inevitable to play it safe and take the lead.

Lu Jiang didn't need to stay, he could just go home and rest, and then come back before the show started at 8 o'clock.

This also ensures that the Lao Lu family’s annual luxurious New Year’s Eve dinner will not be interrupted.

While eating the New Year’s Eve dinner, news about the Spring Festival Gala began to dominate the headlines.

Before 97, all programs of the Spring Festival Gala were strictly confidential. The actors, programs, and performance formats were not disclosed to the outside world. If you wanted to know, you could watch the program.

But after 98, in order to further attract audiences, CCTV would selectively reveal some information to the media, mainly to build momentum for the gala.

The media is also happy to cooperate, so every year around the Spring Festival, major newspapers and magazines will stage various programs to guess the Spring Festival Gala.

Today, if anyone carefully checks, they will find that the Spring Festival Gala lineup and program schedule are no longer a secret.

Li Tianwang, Lu Tianwang, Liu Huan, Zhang Huimei, Yehenara, Wei Wei, Tian Zhen, Xiaoyanzi, Ziwei.
They are either superstars or popular idols, as well as a large group of talented singers, forming a luxurious lineup.

This has made countless audiences have high expectations for the singing programs of this year's Spring Festival Gala.

The media also directly revealed that Lu Jiang will sing a new song at midnight as the finale, and countdown with the audience to welcome the New Year.

This makes many colleagues envious.

The public is also paying close attention.

The most discussed topic was Lu Jiang singing a new song at the Spring Festival Gala.

Many people think that Lu Jiang is amazing, as he can even promote his new album on the Spring Festival Gala.

But the industry does not think that the Spring Festival Gala is special.

Because singing new songs during the Spring Festival Gala is not unprecedented.

It’s just that the new songs of a great talent like Lu Jiang are particularly eye-catching.

Many people are looking forward to this Spring Festival Gala even more, with many fans even telling their parents and elders for the first time: "This year I want to stay home and watch the night with you."
"Why don't you go to bed first? It's still early."

At Fan Binbin's home, Fan Binbin gave his mother some advice again.

In previous years, the Fan family would not watch the entire Spring Festival Gala, nor would they stay up all night, and everyone would go to bed early. But this year, because of Lu Jiang, the couple naturally had to accompany Fan Binbin to watch it, to show their support for their daughter and future son-in-law.

But the problem is that Fan's mother is now six months pregnant.

Fan's mother touched her belly and said, "I'm fine. I'm not sleepy. I can hold on."

When it comes to her belly, Fan's mother is still a little embarrassed.

In the second half of last year, Fan Binbin encountered difficulties, and his parents even caused a death.

Those who don’t know the situation might think that the couple has given up on Fan Binbin and started practicing the trumpet instead.

In fact, the couple does have some patriarchal ideas.

However, I also discussed it with Fan Binbin, and only after Fan Binbin agreed did I start having a baby.

At that time, "Return of the Condor Heroes 2" was a huge hit again, and Fan Binbin was in high spirits. She even said in an interview that her parents wanted a younger brother, and she now has the ability to raise him, and she will definitely let her younger brother receive the best education and live the best life.

But he didn't expect that not long after, the fact that he took private jobs would be exposed.

The Fan family fell into trouble and later faced high claims.

So in the past few months, Fan Chengcheng almost died several times.
Fortunately, I have recovered now.

But regarding this backer, Fan's mother once again reminded: "Have you discussed the contract with him?"

"No, I'll tell you after the lawsuit is over."

"We still need to communicate as soon as possible."

"Oh, don't worry about it. I'd be willing to sign for a hundred years even if he asked me to."

"You kid." Fan's mother wanted to say something harsh to warn him, but she swallowed the words back. Finally, she touched her belly and said, "Why don't you learn from me? This is more reliable than a contract. Now my father has to do whatever I ask him to do."

"Mom~~"

"Okay, okay, enough talking, let's watch TV. Fan Tao, Fan Tao, come here, it's starting!"

With the loud voice of Fan's mother, the 2000 Spring Festival Gala of the Year of the Dragon officially began.

The opening song and dance was "Welcome Spring In". International star Zhang Ziyi wore a rose-red yangko costume and sang and danced.

Fan's mother recognized her immediately: "Is this Lu Jiang's classmate, the one who won the Silver Bear Award with Lao Mouzi?"

"He's an alumnus, from the 96 acting class of the Central Academy of Drama."

"She hasn't even graduated yet, but she's already working with a great director and even performing on the Spring Festival Gala, even giving the opening solo. Hey Bingbing, is Lu Jiang familiar with her?"

"Mom, watch TV."

"I'm worried about you~"

"Lu Jiang doesn't like her."

Fan Binbin is very confident.

Although I don’t know Lu Jiang’s specific preferences or special hobbies.

But she felt that no matter how hungry Lu Jiang was, he would not look down on Zhang Ziyi, who had a skinny figure and a face that was not as pretty as her own.
Thinking of this, Fan Binbin straightened his chest and wondered which report said that papaya was effective?

While I was thinking, the show continued.

International singer Zhang left the stage after singing for two minutes. This is the disadvantage of opening a performance. It is very likely that you have finished singing and the audience has not even turned on the TV.

However, there are also advantages to opening a show, especially the opening solo, which will make more impressions than actors in other time periods.

After Zhang Ziyi's show, Niu Qun and Feng Gong came on stage to play host and joke around for a while. Then Niu Qun left the stage, Feng Gong stayed on the stage, and his new partner, JJ Lin from Tianjin, came on stage.

The crosstalk "Old Songs, New Songs" is Feng Gong's last crosstalk work in the Spring Festival Gala, and it is also the most impressive work of him and Guo Donglin.

It is one of the few outstanding language programs this year.

Unfortunately, this year's "Hourly Worker" by Northeast Lao Zhao and Song Dandan is more eye-catching.

“It takes several steps to put an elephant in a refrigerator.”

"You little brat! I wouldn't recognize you if you were wearing a vest?"

"It's ten bucks."

The sketches by Lao Zhao from Northeast China are indeed the king of memes.

It is worth mentioning that Lu Jiang was also mentioned in Lao Zhao’s sketch this time.

At the beginning, Song Dandan rang the doorbell and introduced herself as Zhang Huimei.

The roles changed for the second time. Lao Zhao rang the doorbell and claimed to be Lu Jiang.

The audience laughed and the show was very successful.

Lu Jiang in the backstage was still a little embarrassed.

Although he had known about this for a long time, no one felt awkward. After all, Lu Jiang was really popular this year, and arranging the program this way was indeed very effective.

But Lu Jiang knew that in the original time and space, Lao Zhao called himself "Andy Lau". At present, there is still a gap in fame between Lu Jiang and Andy Lau.

So I can only say, keep working hard.
Until after 11 o'clock, the number of viewers watching the Spring Festival Gala decreased significantly.

Xie Tingfeng appeared at this time.

But Dong Jie still partnered with Xie Tingfeng.

The format of the program has also changed.

From a six-person chorus, it became a chorus of three singers singing "Together in This Life".

The three singers, Xie Tingfeng, Huo Feng, and Liu Haibo, were all dressed as grooms, with a bride beside each of them.

Fan Binbin saw the clue immediately.

Xie Tingfeng's appearance stands out so much compared to the other two singers.

What a scheming boy!

However, Mr. and Mrs. Fan's focus was on Xie Tingfeng's "bride".

"This girl is very pretty." Fan's mother gave a thumbs up.

Father Fan was quite foresighted: "This girl might become famous."

But the mother and daughter don't think so.

The Spring Festival Gala can indeed make someone famous overnight, but it also has to be a high-quality program.

Why does this girl?

There wasn't a single line of lyrics, he was just smiling.

It would be unfair if she became famous so easily.
The little incident between Xie Tingfeng and Dong Jie passed quickly.

The time is about to reach midnight.

Based on past experience.

At this time, the audience in front of the TV was already tired.

However, the decline in ratings for this year's Spring Festival Gala has improved significantly.

The main reason is that the program setting is better.

There is a main thread running through this Spring Festival Gala, which is Cui Yongyuan helping Mr. Wen Xingyu choose his daughter-in-law and son-in-law.

The two will announce or end the show in a clever way.

The daughters-in-law are actresses such as Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi.

The sons-in-law are male stars such as Leon Lai and Lu Jiang.

Cui Yongyuan had already hinted about Lu Jiang's appearance as early as 10:.

Then around 11:20, the two brought it up again. Wen Xingyu said that it would be best if the son-in-law was well-educated. Cui Yongyuan asked, "If he can write good lyrics with a strong ancient style, is that okay?"

Wen Xingyu: Okay, okay.

As a result, Pu Cunxi's poetry recitation program fooled the audience.

Finally, at 11:45, Wen Xingyu and Cui Yongyuan appeared as guest hosts again. Continuing from the previous episode, Wen Xingyu got anxious and asked, "Why did you find someone older? I want someone younger!"
Cui Yongyuan comforted: Don’t worry, look, it’s coming.

Then, the cast list appeared on TV:
Song: Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth

Lyricist: Lu Jiang

Composer: Lu Jiang

Singer: Lu Jiang

Performances: Beijing Sport University, Xiyi Primary School

"Lu Jiang is here!"

Fan Binbin sat upright.

At the same time, countless viewers also turned their attention back to the TV.

On TV, I saw two war drums standing on the left and right.

Actors dressed as Terracotta Warriors step onto the stage.

As the lights change, long yellow silk flutters above the heads of the Terracotta Warriors, symbolizing the Yellow River or the dragon.

Accompanied by the prelude song, there is the opening prelude adapted by the music director - the solemn sound of war drums.

An ancient, vicissitudes and solemn atmosphere hits you in the face.

Then, Lu Jiang, wearing a black shirt with a stand-up collar and a golden dragon pattern, appeared on the stage with a firm and determined look in his eyes.

The headset microphone frees up his hands, while he holds two drumsticks in both hands and beats out the drums to the music on the third drum that slowly rises in the middle of the stage.

"So handsome!"

Fan's mother's pupils widened on the spot.

Fan Binbin rolled her eyes, your husband and daughter are still right next to you!

However, she didn't care about Fan's mother at the moment, but continued to stare at Lu Jiang on TV, her heart agitated.

Lu Jiang said on the phone before that due to the limitations of stage technology, many of the "special effects" of this show can only be achieved in a simple way.

For example, the themes of the Yellow River, the Yangtze River, mountains and rivers, and dragons can only be realized with long silk, background settings, and lighting.

In Lu Jiang's opinion, such a stage is certainly not comparable to the effects achieved with the help of high technology in later generations, and it is also far from the expected effects, so he told Fan Binbin not to have too high expectations.

But now Fan Binbin thinks this is pretty good, and it feels like the most impressive one in the entire evening.

Of course, Lu Jiang has the best visual effects.

After playing the prelude drum, Lu Jiang ran to the front of the stage, and the terracotta warriors of all sizes began to dance.

Lu Jiang's singing also began to sound:
"This country has tens of thousands of miles of national blood when I start to write about it.

Over the past five thousand years, the descendants of the dragon have experienced many hardships.

This central axis of Gyeonggi Province is as unwavering as a gentleman’s integrity.

The Great Wall and the Yellow River are endless, history has declined and risen from here
This dragon scale once fell to the ground like broken ice
I can't bear to hear the story of every inch of my heart.
... "

Lu Jiang has almost no dance moves, but there are some choreographed moves.

The choreography for the Spring Festival Gala was designed personally by Xing Shimiao.

The main purpose is to increase the momentum when singing.

Combined with the lyrics, the whole image is refreshing.

At this moment, Fan Binbin felt that Lu Jiang had given people the impression of being peaceful and gentle in the past. He was occasionally naughty in private, very friendly, and not a big star at all.

Even in commercial performances, she mainly sings love songs, so her overall stage style is more affectionate and quiet.

But now, his stage style has changed drastically. How can we describe Lu Jiang's overall temperament?
It's as if this face has never been bullied. It's unruly and self-confidence overflows the screen. There's an aggressive light in the eyes, the movements are bold and open, and it's very handsome. It seems to have infinite confidence, which is very different from the appearance of most people nowadays.

That's why Lu Jiang looked particularly manly to Fan Binbin tonight!
Not only her, but many female audiences across the country were blinded by Lu Jiang.

Even many male audiences think that Lu Jiang's full aura is very domineering, and this is what a mainland superstar should look like.

"In the past, I wrote on the vast yellow land of the East

Splashing ink on the landscape erases all that remains of the rugged Chinese backbone
The beauty of Kyushu's mountains and rivers, countless vicissitudes of life, have forged the Chinese charm
I inherit the culture and cultivate it to break through the changes and turn the world around

"

In the Year of the Dragon, the descendants of the dragon, the dragon’s past weakness, rises again.

Every note seems to be telling an ancient story, evoking people's deep admiration and emotion for the long history of the Chinese nation.

Every line of the lyrics is filled with love for the mountains and rivers of the motherland and praise for the national spirit, which makes people feel a strong sense of belonging and pride while listening.

Lu Jiang's voice is full of power, showing great explosive power in the high notes, pushing the heroic emotions in the song to the extreme.

This not only praises the great Chinese nation, but also expresses earnest hope for China's bright future.

At this moment when the old and new centuries are turning, this song is timely and of great significance.

When performed live, the effect is indeed more popular than those love songs, and he himself sings it very comfortably.

But what is the cost?
The price is that the song has been included in the album just like the original time and space, so it will be difficult for Lu Jiang to sing it himself in the future.
After singing the last line of lyrics, Lu Jiang bowed and left the stage, but did not go backstage directly. Instead, he sat down in the first row of the audience seats, right next to Lao Lu. His ticket was given by the director team.

After sitting down, Lao Lu first gave a thumbs up and praised his son, saying that he was so handsome!
Then he turned into a little assistant, handed Lu Jiang a bottle of mineral water, took out the script page, and asked Lu Jiang to catch up on his lessons as he had to tell time later.

Soon, as Zu Hai's "Tonight Lasts Forever" ended, Lu Jiang went on stage again and stood with Ni Ping, Zhao Zhongxiang and Cui Yongyuan.

The overall background music style has also become gentler.

Lu Jiang was not nervous at all.

Because his lines are very simple, only two sentences.

Then Zhao Zhongxiang began: "Dear audience friends, this is the CCTV Spring Festival Gala! In this historic moment of the Millennium Year of the Dragon, we are about to usher in the bell of the new century!"

Ni Ping: "Standing at the threshold of the turn of the century, we are filled with excitement and emotion, looking back on the glory of the past and looking forward to the hope of the future!"

Cui Yongyuan: "A dragon soars into the prosperous era, and the century sets sail! Let us witness this once-in-a-millennium moment together and welcome a new era for the Chinese nation!"

Then Lu Jiang said: "Now, please follow our countdown and welcome the arrival of the Year of the Dragon together!"

Then the four hosts said in unison: "10, 93, 2, 1, auspicious Year of the Dragon!"

Then start the next sentence.

Zhao Zhongxiang: "I wish everyone good health and a healthy and energetic new year!"

Cui Yongyuan: "A successful career, a happy family, and a life of prosperity!"

Ni Ping: "Love is sweet, friendship lasts forever, and the dragon and the phoenix bring good luck!"

Lu Jiang: "Let us work together to create a better future."

The four of them clasped their fists and congratulated in unison: "Good luck in the Year of the Dragon!"

Mission over.

Simple and easy~
Lu Jiang returned to the audience.

Lao Lu gave a thumbs up: "It has fewer words, but the pronunciation is clear and melodious, much better than Cui Yongyuan!"

"Shh, keep your voice down, don't make him depressed~"

"Hahaha"

　It will be released next Saturday. The details will be adjusted in the next few days, and it will officially enter the TV series stage starting tomorrow.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)