Chen Luyu's shock move

• Source: Global Times
• [22:18 November 02 2009]
• Comments

Chen Luyu recording her first show for AHTV Friday.

By Mao Renjie

Often referred to as China's Oprah, leading talk show host Chen Luyu has stunned the media world with her abrupt announcement Friday to leave China's popular satellite TV station Hunan Satellite TV (HNTV) and sign with lesser-known Anhui Satellite TV (AHTV). The shock move has thrust Chen under the spotlight, dredging up controversy surrounding her declining ratings, mediocre interviewing style and waning professional relationships.

Chen shot to fame in 2002 with her immensely popular A Date With Luyu (Luyu You Yue) that followed a similar format to The Oprah Winfrey Show. Aired on Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, it became the dynamic satellite TV station's second favorite show the same year. The weekly program was changed to a daily format and introduced to the Chinese mainland in 2005. After extending the show from interviewing celebrities to reflecting ordinary Chinese people's lives and covering many sensitive topics, Chen became a household name.

However, recently ratings have been on a downhill slide, with many viewers complaining about Chen's hosting style. People have posted comments online questioning her repetition of topics and questions such as "When did you find yourself successful?" "How was your childhood?" and "When was your most unhappy moment?" regardless of the interviewee. She has also been severely criticized for her apparent lack of preparation before recording, frequently asking questions without knowing her guest's background.

Then there is the subject of HNTV shafting A Date With Luyu from its previous primetime 10pm-11pm weekday time slot, considered a "golden period" on Chinese TV, to 1pm-2pm. Local media rumored that Chen was not on good terms with other hosts at HNTV as her program constantly occupied the coveted golden period slot.

Also facing media accusations of being so busy with commercial events that she only has time to glance through scripts while dressing before recording, Chen admitted that she now has her hands full, but the talk show always comes as a priority.

HNTV executives have stated that the programming shift had nothing to do with any of the rumors and was simply a technical move. According to Li Hao, director of HNTV's chief editor's o. ce, the rescheduling was due to HNTV's upgrade to high definition while the recording of the program did not meet these requirements.

Chen has also defended herself and her interviewing style by saying that it is her habit not to communicate with guests prior to the show. "When we fi rst started the program, I wanted to find out everything about the interviewee before recording, but after eight years, the hardest thing is how to keep my passion," she explained. She said that she saves her curiosity and freshness for the recording, "otherwise I will have nothing to say."

"I have found out that people only talk about things they want to talk about. So I always try to be a listener in the program, to experience their feelings and observe their reactions."