Chapter 124 - Zhou Zhou
Metropolitan Channel, Zhou Zhou had just finished his busy work.
In order to maintain his style, he also participated in his program's scriptwriting; the workload was not small.
Sitting in his chair, Zhou Zhou sighed for no reason, mainly because he thought of the time he was at the satellite TV channel.
The former 'Music Frontline' had at least experienced glory before. It was just that later, when people's ways of obtaining entertainment news shifted to the internet, the viewership ratings for his program began to slide all the way down.
When it reached rock bottom five years ago, it was cut across the board by the station.
Logically speaking, with his hosting style and credentials, it shouldn't be that he couldn't survive in the satellite TV channel. But it hadn't been long, and the times had changed.
An uncle-type host like him suddenly wasn't popular anymore. The station held a host competition and selected some handsome and pretty youngsters. Their foundations were no worse than his, and their physical appearances were even better.
With his program stopped and unable to find a new one, he could only end up at the Metropolitan Channel.
Over the years, because of his humorous style, his program also had some regular viewers. Even placed in the Metropolitan Channel, it was considered mid-tier.
"Is it just going to pass like this?" Zhou Zhou touched his smooth forehead, sighing inwardly that time forgives no one; his hairline had even started to creep upwards.
At this age, he reckoned he had no chance of going to the satellite TV channel.
Sometimes, seeing colleagues who were developing perfectly well at the satellite TV channel, he felt somewhat melancholy in his heart.
At this time, Zhou Zhou saw the Director's assistant come over and whisper, "Teacher Zhou Zhou, the Director wants you to make a trip over."
"The Director is looking for me?" Zhou Zhou didn't quite understand.
If there was a matter, didn't the department director usually come over to speak? His program didn't have any violations, how could it even alarm the Director?
Thinking for a long time without a clue, Zhou Zhou felt a bit apprehensive in his heart.
He usually looked like quite an optimistic person. In other people's eyes, he was probably carefree, but inside, he easily thought too much.
For example, right now, he was thinking whether there was a problem with his recording of the program, requiring the Director to personally come out and teach him a lesson?
Following the assistant to the Director's office, Zhou Zhou pushed the door open and went in.
The Director was sitting right there. Seeing him come in, he asked him to sit down first.
Zhou Zhou asked apprehensively, "Director, you were looking for me for a matter? Is it because there's a problem with the program?"
The Director smiled and said, "Don't be nervous first, it's not about your program."
Even if there was a matter with the program, they wouldn't have Zhou Zhou come over; they would have to lecture the department director first no matter what.
Under Zhou Zhou's puzzled gaze, the Director said:
"Calling you here is for a good thing. Just now, the director of the satellite TV channel's programming department contacted me, saying they want to invite you to host the Thursday late-night slot program. I asked you to come to see what your thoughts are."
"Ah?" Zhou Zhou didn't react for a moment, then said in astonishment:
"Satellite TV? Director, could this be a mistake?"
He couldn't quite believe it.
Although he had thought about returning to the satellite TV channel, it was just a thought. He came to the Metropolitan Channel because he couldn't stay in the satellite TV channel in the past. How could he possibly have the chance to go back now?
The Director shook his head and said, "No mistake, they specifically named you. I've seen the proposal for this program, and it was also submitted to the satellite TV channel through my hands.
Being the host for this program is the easiest way to shine. Although the program is a new type and has some risks, the opportunity is also very big. In my personal opinion, the program is still quite suitable for you, but whether you go or not depends on your choice!"
Zhou Zhou snapped out of his daze. Naturally, the Director wouldn't lie to him, nor was he this bored. So to speak, there really was a satellite TV program specifically naming him!
He forced down the excitement in his heart, nodded heavily, and said, "Director, I want to go and try."
The Director wasn't surprised either. Zhou Zhou himself had come down from the satellite TV channel. Now that there was such an opportunity, wanting to go back was very normal.
"You can go to the satellite TV channel, but you absolutely cannot stop your program on our Metropolitan Channel," the Director instructed.
Zhou Zhou's program had distinct personal characteristics, and the script was custom-made for him.
It was a bit like 'Lightweight Lecture Room' on the Entertainment Channel back then; if Zhou Zhou stopped doing it, the entire flavor of the program would change.
This program had good viewership ratings and many regular viewers. It wouldn't do if it was ruined.
Coming out of the Director's office, Zhou Zhou always felt as if he were dreaming, dazed and not feeling real at all.
……
The next morning.
Zhou Zhou contacted Director Wu Tao, then went to the program crew.
Director Wu Tao gave him the script and asked him to memorize it and try performing it once.
Zhou Zhou looked at the script, feeling somewhat excited. It perfectly fit his style. His usual scripts were also written in this direction, but this was more mature and more rigorous.
The program was indeed a small program, roughly similar to his 'Music Frontline' from back in the day, but the creativity was quite good. Zhou Zhou was extremely satisfied.
The only pity was that the program was unexpectedly in the Thursday late-night slot. Encountering 'Magic Cute Babies' was a bit hard to bear.
However, being able to return to the satellite TV channel was already very good. The size of the program didn't matter; it was finally an opportunity!
Knowing that Director Wu Tao was interviewing Zhou Zhou, Chen Ran also came over.
Zhou Zhou's foundational skills were very good. In a short while, he memorized many lines and performed them right on the spot.
Chen Ran watched Zhou Zhou, sporting his shiny forehead and speaking eloquently, and felt it had a bit of that flavor, but it was still not enough.
He discussed it with Director Wu Tao for a moment, and then Director Wu Tao said to Zhou Zhou:
"Your expression is a little tense, relax a bit. Make your movements and expressions bigger, but don't overdo it. You need to make people feel that you are being your genuine self, rather than being exaggerated."
After listening, Zhou Zhou pondered over it carefully, then nodded and said, "Director, I understand."
After saying that, he slightly adjusted his emotions and immediately started again.
Chen Ran stared at him. Whether it was the intonation or the body language, it was exactly right. It truly had that flavor now.
Not to mention Chen Ran, even Director Wu Tao kept nodding as he watched, giving Chen Ran a thumbs-up and saying:
"The person you picked really does have some skill!"
This blended almost seamlessly with the script. Coupled with Zhou Zhou's expressions and movements, the effect was exceptionally good.
Now that the person was selected, their program also needed to be named. After some discussion, the program's final name was decided as 'Zhou Zhou Show'.
It was extremely simple and unadorned, without so many bells and whistles.
This even made Zhou Zhou stare blankly at those three characters for a long time. He really had never thought that the satellite TV channel would have a program named after him.
Even if the program was only in the late-night slot and its viewership ratings might be poor, for him, he was already extremely satisfied!
"Director Wu, thank you!" Zhou Zhou said to Director Wu Tao with gratitude.
Director Wu shook his head and said:
"Don't thank me. If Chen Ran hadn't chosen you, I would have almost forgotten about you as a person. If you want to thank someone, thank Chen Ran, and communicate well with him. In the future, he will be the one leading the team in charge of the scripts."
……
With the program finalized, preparations for recording were to begin in these couple of days.
The stage requirements were not big, just scenery and the like. It wasn't troublesome, and in just these few days, the preparations were pretty much sorted out.
Now they were just waiting for Zhou Zhou to familiarize himself, go to rehearsal to figure out the stage, and then they could set about preparing for the recording.
Just when Chen Ran was busy, he received a message from Zhang Fanzhi.
She had returned!