Chapter 227 1983 Spring Festival Gala
This year's New Year's Eve was a little special for Lin Weimin, not because of the Spring Festival Gala, but because his brother-in-law Han Dingbang came from Shanghai.
After many years, the family became more popular.
In the afternoon, Lin Weimin did not ride a motorcycle when he came out of the radio compound. He had agreed with Han Zhuangzhuang that after Han Zhuangzhuang finished his performance in the evening, he would ride a motorcycle home, which would be faster.
When Lin Weimin returned to the Shichahai courtyard, it was already past four in the afternoon.
This year, Lin Weimin specifically told Mr. Wan that his brother-in-law and nephew would stay in Yanjing for the New Year, so he would not come to disturb the old couple.
Sporadic sounds of firecrackers could be heard outside the yard, and from time to time the laughter of children could be heard.
It was seven o'clock, and there was still an hour before the Spring Festival Gala started. Han Zhuangzhuang's sketch was the fourth program of the evening, so it was almost time for him to get home by nine o'clock.
Lin Weimin and Han Dingbang went into the kitchen and began to prepare this year's New Year's Eve dinner.
Han Dingbang inherited the fine traditions of Shanghai men and is a good cook. Having lived with Lin Weimin's sister for many years, he is familiar with the habits of people in the Northeast and can better cater to Lin Weimin's taste in diet.
The two of them were busy for a long time, and all they had to do was prepare the dishes. At this time, the Spring Festival Gala began, and the two of them watched the Gala while making dumplings.
Toshiba's 16-inch color TV has an impressive picture quality, but it is already very friendly to audiences of this era.
At eight o'clock, the party started on time.
The opening of this year's gala was very different from previous Spring Festival galas, as it started with an animation.
This 1 minute and 29 second animation is one of the director team's innovative creations. The animation begins with a scene of children setting off firecrackers. The firecrackers are lit, and the debris falls down and turns into plum blossoms. Then it transitions to a scene of a plum tree in bloom and a cluster of colorful lights lit up.
At this time, the picture switches, and the process of "handover" between a jumping puppy and a piglet reflects the meaning of "saying goodbye to the Year of the Dog and welcoming the Year of the Pig". The image of the pig is finally condensed onto an unfolded red paper, forming the black "Fu" character on a red background that people post during the Chinese New Year.
Finally, the portraits of the four hosts of the evening party were personified to form a New Year's greeting scene, and then transformed into lanterns in the shape of "steamed buns, peaches, corn, and piglets", with the words "New", "Spring", "Happy", and "Happy" respectively marked on them, implying a good harvest.
Han Dingbang looked at the animated opening on the screen and took the initiative to say, "This opening is really well done!"
His main profession is directing, and he couldn't help but comment on his major.
Lin Weimin chuckled and said, "Yes, it took a lot of effort. The director Ma Jinghua from the Art Department, who was approached by Yang Yong, organized several people to spend a whole month hand-painting it frame by frame. The drawing paper alone filled up an entire room."
Lin Weimin participated in this year's Spring Festival Gala and is familiar with the stories behind the scenes.
Just as the two were chatting, the 1983 Spring Festival Gala officially kicked off.
The first person to appear was Zhao Zhongxiang, the now well-known CCTV announcer, who delivered the opening speech in his usual magnetic and restrained voice.
After the opening speech, the four hosts came on stage. After introducing the guests, the hosts began to wish everyone a happy new year.
The concept of host had just been introduced, and their speeches were not as colorful as those in later generations. The hosts spoke plainly with a hint of festivity, and even their New Year greetings were just one or two auspicious words.
For example, Liu Xiaoqing, the most popular actress in China today, wore a red top and a black long skirt. She was dignified and generous. She stepped from the host line to the camera and said with a smile, "On behalf of the acting industry, I wish a happy new year to all the audience friends across the country!"
Next, the Spring Festival Gala program officially began.
First, Li Guyi came on stage and sang a New Year's greeting song, and then Ma Ji and his apprentice Zhao Yan performed two crosstalk segments. It was supposed to be three crosstalk segments, but one was cut.
After being bombarded with short videos from later generations, Lin Weimin didn't have much feeling about crosstalk. On the contrary, Han Dingbang had a relaxed and happy smile on his face.
When Ma Ji was about to finish his second crosstalk, "Little Lei Feng," Lin Weimin reminded him, "Brother-in-law, Zhuangzhuang is about to go on stage!"
Han Dingbang's eyes suddenly lit up and he stared at the screen intently.
After Ma Ji's crosstalk ended, Liu Xiaoqing and Jiang Kun introduced the program.
Song Dandan, carrying a director's bag, went on stage first, followed by Yang Bailao played by Liang Guanhua, and finally Huang Shiren played by Han Zhuangzhuang came on stage, and Han Dingbang started laughing.
Lin Weimin is rolling out dumpling wrappers in his hands. Is it that funny?
Lin Weimin could only attribute this to his desire for his son to become successful.
The ten-minute show ended quickly, and Han Dingbang kept muttering, "Great! Great!"
Lin Weimin must have thought of his deceased sister again, and hurriedly said, "Brother-in-law, let's pack it quickly. Zhuangzhuang has finished his show and should be back soon."
Han Dingbang finally came to his senses and quickened his movements.
At around 9:30, the sound of a motorcycle was heard outside the yard. After a while, Han Zhuangzhuang came into the house wrapped in a mink coat.
"I'm freezing to death!"
Although he said he was cold, the boy's face was full of smugness.
"Dad! Uncle! Did you watch my show? How was it? Was my performance good?"
Before Han Dingbang could say anything, Lin Weimin cursed, "What a bullshit! You said your lines wrong, don't you know?"
Hearing this, Han Zhuangzhuang's expression was horrified, "Impossible, which line did I say wrong? The director was watching from the audience, why didn't they tell me?"
"Didn't the director tell you? Maybe I heard it wrong." Lin Weimin said lightly.
"Uncle!" Han Zhuangzhuang shouted in dissatisfaction. He knew very well that Lin Weimin was making fun of him.
"Don't be disrespectful. Take off your clothes and cook." Han Dingbang said.
The three of them were busy for more than twenty minutes and finally finished the New Year's Eve dinner before ten o'clock.
Today I specially moved the dining table to the living room in the middle of the main house, less than three meters away from the TV.
The table was filled with fine wine and delicious food. Han Dingbang raised his glass with mixed feelings.
After holding it in for a long time, he finally said, "Zhuangzhuang has grown up! Weimin has also made great achievements!"
Lin Weimin raised his wine glass and said, "Life will definitely get better and better in the future. In two years, Zhuangzhuang will get married and give you a big fat grandson. Then you can enjoy the grandson and the happiness of family life."
Han Dingbang had a longing smile on his face and said, "You have to hurry up, it will be the 23rd after the New Year."
"I'm still early, no need to rush. Come on, come on, cheers!"
Several people raised their glasses and drank.
After putting down the wine glass, Han Zhuangzhuang suddenly came up to Han Dingbang and whispered something. Han Dingbang looked at Lin Weimin with some suspicion in his eyes.
"What are you talking about behind my back?"
Han Dingbang said at this time: "Weimin, are you dating someone?"
Lin Weimin looked at Han Zhuangzhuang with a surprised expression.
"Did this kid tell you?"
Han Dingbang nodded.
Lin Weimin asked Han Zhuangzhuang, "How did you know?"
Han Zhuangzhuang looked very proud, "Uncle, if you don't want others to know, then you better not do it. You two are always flirting with each other backstage all day long..."
Lin Weimin sighed secretly that there really is no impenetrable wall in this world. He thought he and Tao Huimin were keeping their relationship secret.
"Has it spread?" Lin Weimin didn't care whether others knew about this or not. He just didn't make it public due to Tao Huimin's request.
Although Tao Huimin is young now, she is already an actor in the Yue Opera Troupe. In this day and age, if you earn a salary, you are an adult.
"No, I saw it when I secretly followed you that day."
"You kid..." Lin Weimin glared at Han Zhuangzhuang. How dare you follow your uncle? What do you want to do?
Han Zhuangzhuang shrank his head and said, "I originally wanted to talk to you about the script..."
"Don't argue with me. Can you work hard on the script?"
No one knows his nephew better than his uncle. Han Zhuangzhuang stopped talking.
Han Dingbang interrupted their conversation and said, "Weimin, it's a good thing that you have a girlfriend. When can you bring the girl home to see me? It's a good opportunity while I'm still in Yanjing."
Lin Weimin had a headache. Why was his brother-in-law also urging him to get married?
"Brother-in-law, Huimin is still young, so there is no need for us to rush."
"I'm not asking you to get married right away. I'm bringing him home first to let you know. How small can he be?"
Han Zhuangzhuang then leaned over to his father's ear and muttered something, and Han Dingbang's expression became serious.
"That's a little small indeed!"
After saying that, he glared at Lin Weimin again and said, "You should be nicer to others and don't do anything shady. Otherwise, it will be a problem of style and morality."
"I……"
Why does it involve issues of style and morality? I'm just having a relationship.
But since Han Dingbang is the oldest in the family, Lin Weimin nodded in agreement.
After chatting for a while and eating for a while, Han Zhuangzhuang pointed at the TV screen and said, "Look! Uncle Chen is here!"
Lin Weimin and Han Dingbang turned their heads and saw on the TV screen that Chen Xiaoer, wearing a woolen hat, was surrounding Zhu Shimao, who was wearing a suit, and calling him director.
Chen Xiaoer is on the scene!
Several people were watching the performance of Chen Xiaoer and Zhu Shimao on the TV screen and forgot to eat for a moment.
There were bursts of laughter from time to time at the dining table, especially from Han Zhuangzhuang, who burst into laughter almost every few seconds, looking very naive.
After waiting for the skit "Eating Noodles" to finish, Han Dingbang wiped his tears and said, "Oh, it was so interesting. This actor performed well."
"Dad, this guy is called Chen Peisi, he is my uncle's friend, and my uncle also helped him write the script for the skit "Eating Noodles"."
Han Dingbang looked at Lin Weimin with eyes full of satisfaction, "Weimin is really doing great now!"
After saying that, he looked at his son again and said, "Look at other people's performances, and then look at yours. There is no gap without comparison. You have to work hard!"
Director Han Dingbang got used to it and couldn't help but lecture his son.
Han Zhuangzhuang was confused. You can just watch the skit. Why did you scratch me? Who did I offend?
Lin Weimin smiled and said, "You deserve it! You're so rude!"
The New Year’s Eve dinner in the Shichahai courtyard is going on, and the Spring Festival Gala on TV is also going on.
This year, Li Guyi sang nine songs in a row, including "Homesickness" which was considered a "forbidden song";
This year, Liu Xiaoqing was busy filming "The Burning of the Old Summer Palace" and "The Empress Dowager", traveling between Beijing and Hong Kong, and took time out to participate in the Spring Festival Gala;
This year, Han Zhuangzhuang and Chen Xiaoer appeared on the Spring Festival Gala stage;
This year, "Five Daughters Paying Homage to Their Parents" was performed on the Spring Festival Gala as a representative of Yue Opera, with Tao Huimin playing the role of Yang Wufeng;
This year, Lin Weimin wrote two skit scripts for the evening party and served as a consultant.
It was approaching midnight, the time to say goodbye to the old and welcome the new. The sound of firecrackers outside the window became more and more frequent, and even the sound from the TV could not be heard clearly.
With the hosts' countdown, 1983 has finally arrived!
The third update ends.
(End of this chapter)
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