Wang Yuanyuan

    cheekywang@hotmail.com

    CHINA’S most popular skit and sitcom actor, Zhao Benshan, might become chief director of language programs for the China Central Television (CCTV) Spring Festival Gala that will celebrate the upcoming Year of the Horse.

    Benshan Media art director Liu Shuangping confirmed Wednesday that Zhao had received an invitation from CCTV to direct the language programs for the gala.

    However, it was unknown Wednesday whether Zhao would take the offer.

    Born in 1957, Zhao has been called the “king of comedy” by Chinese audiences and is a renowned skit and sitcom actor. He participated in the gala for 21 years in a row before 2012 and won first prize for the gala’s language programs for 15 years in a row. In recent years, he also had performed in several popular TV dramas and movies. As a native of Liaoning Province, he’s famous for promoting traditional cultures of northeastern China through his unique performing style.

    However, Zhao quit the Spring Festival Gala suddenly in 2012, citing health problems. Right before this year’s gala, he quit again, saying “the program was not as good as expected.”

    Rumors said Zhao left the two galas because he couldn’t get along with chief director Ha Wen, but Zhao has never confirmed or denied that speculation.

    After quitting the 2012 gala, Zhao told media that he was not satisfied with the gala’s strict supervision system. He also said on a TV program earlier this year that he would never again participate in any Spring Festival galas held by any TV channels.

    Previous reports said renowned Chinese director Feng Xiaogang, best known for his comedy films, had been selected as one of the co-directors for next year’s CCTV gala. That would be the first time since 1983, the year the gala was first performed, that an outsider not employed formally by CCTV would join as director.

    “Zhao has a very close relationship with Feng and has always been grateful for the Spring Festival Gala. As long as the gala needs support, he will be there. If his best friend makes an invitation this time, he will accept the task,” Liu said.