Huayu: This producer has no bottom line.

Does Director Ren recommend Chapter 56?

In the afternoon, Fremantle's negotiators entered the meeting room.

Two British people, one of Japanese descent, and a translator.

The negotiations began, and Matthew, who was leading the talks, went straight to the point with his very first sentence.

"The three-judge system is the core identity of the talent show IP, and any addition or subtraction will damage the brand's consistent perception among its global audience."

Before the translator could finish speaking, Jin Lei interrupted.

"Mr. Matthew, we fully understand your considerations. Our station has always believed that the original competition format design has its reasons."

He slowed his speech by half a beat, "But you may not be familiar with the domestic broadcasting environment. Our program is to be broadcast to more than a billion viewers across the country during prime time. The approval process goes through the State Administration of Radio and Television, and the broadcasting process goes through the station. There are people watching every step of the way. If something goes wrong, everyone sitting here will be implicated."

Matthew didn't answer immediately, but tapped the table lightly with his fingers twice.

Jin Lei didn't stop, "Moreover, the coordination between the government and the Expo Organizing Committee and Executive Committee cannot be explained in just a few words."

He shrugged. "You know, Mr. Matthew, the risks we take are far greater than you can imagine."

Matthew turned his head and whispered a few words to his Japanese colleague next to him. Ren Pingsheng couldn't hear clearly, but he could see the Japanese colleague nod slightly.

Yang Yuancao chimed in at the opportune moment, "Matthew, I know you're worried that the Chinese side will completely distort the program and then use the 'Got Talent' label to create something that's neither fish nor fowl."

Matthew's expression didn't change, but he didn't deny it.

Yang Yuancao said calmly, "Dragon TV has agreed to implement Fremantle's standards completely. The camera positions, competition format, and audition process will not be changed at all."

"But they want to add a role in addition to the three judges who only interacts with the contestants and controls the pace of the show. He doesn't score, doesn't affect the judging results, and even sits aside."

She paused for a moment, then said, "This is also their way of giving an explanation to the General Administration."

Matthew fell silent, and remained silent for a long time.

Ren Pingsheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and remained silent.

In situations like this, urging them will only make things worse; let them figure it out themselves.

Almost a minute later, Matthew spoke again.

"If it's just about helping to move things along on-site and not participating in the review process, we can consider it."

Jin Lei clenched his fist under the table.

Over the next two hours, both sides meticulously defined the boundaries of the "observer's" rights and responsibilities.

They cannot sit on the judges' panel, cannot appear in the scoring footage, and cannot express any opinions that have a judge-like nature regarding the contestants' fate.

I went over each point repeatedly until my voice was almost hoarse.

But as the conversation progressed, Matthew's attitude visibly softened.

Perhaps it was Jin Lei's words about the station taking risks that had an effect, or perhaps it was the World Expo's reputation that made these two Englishmen feel that adding something extra for the Chinese market was not an exception.

Finally, Jin Lei brought up Susan Boyle, saying, "That's the magic of this show. We hope to see the same thing in China."

The two Englishmen were so moved that they shook Jin Lei's hand for a long time.

Ren Pingsheng watched from the side and thought to himself that Director Jin really knew how to handle things. He knew exactly when to reason and when to play the emotional card.

……

After Fremantle's men left, Chen Tai came in.

He and Jin Lei exchanged a glance, both knowing the other's thoughts.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Tai sat down in the head seat. "The project is progressing very smoothly. Thank you for Director Ren's help."

Ren Pingsheng waved his hand, "It's all thanks to everyone."

"Alright, alright," Chen Tai said with a smile, gesturing with his hand. "Now that we've made up our minds, let's talk about the 3+1 selection. There will be three judges, but we can't decide today. Let's get to know each other first."

Jin Lei opened his notebook. "The station's initial considerations were Gao Xiaosong, Zhou Libo, Annie Yi, and host Chen Lei."

Chen Tai chimed in, "Chen Lei is fine as the host, but his commercial value is limited. The observer position needs to be someone who can attract investment and control the situation."

He scanned the people at the table. "Does anyone have any ideas?"

The people at the table started passing the buck back and forth, talking for a while, but no conclusion was reached.

Finally, Chen Tai turned his gaze to Ren Pingsheng. "Director Ren, do you have any opinions?"

"What's my opinion?"

Ren Pingsheng put down his teacup and sighed inwardly.

Under his impetus, the show was finalized five months ahead of schedule, but in the end, the judges were still the same few oddballs from his previous life.

How should I put it? This talent show is truly a Pandora's box for Chinese entertainment variety shows.

From that point on, the introduction of new models, the pursuit of traffic, and the entry of capital led to the opening of one box after another, and all sorts of strange and monstrous things emerged.

However, to be fair, he hasn't done anything good since his rebirth.

Fanning the flames and kicking someone when they're down.

Whether or not you help a good person who has fallen is uncertain, but if a bad person is standing on the edge of a cliff, he'd be happy to kick him, especially if he can lick the bag clean afterward.

"I have a few thoughts, which may not be correct, but Mr. Chen can take them into consideration," Ren Pingsheng said. "For the judges, it would be best if the three of us could form a stable division of roles, with no overlap in functions and no gaps in roles."

He explained the three roles in the original British version: sharp-tongued, empathetic, and professional, each with its own function and none of them can be omitted.

"Regarding the candidates you've already considered," he paused, "Zhou Libo certainly has a sharp tongue, but his Shanghai-style stand-up comedy won't be as well-received by northern audiences outside of Shanghai. The original version's sense of conflict is built between the judges and all the contestants, not on regional superiority."

Chen Tai seemed lost in thought and remained silent.

"Gao Xiaosong has a professional background, but he is not the kind of neutral professional who adheres to the bottom line. He is a topic-generating style. When two topic-generating styles are put together, the show will either become a mess, or the audience will only remember the judges and forget the contestants."

Jin Lei wrote something in the notebook with a pen.

Annie Yi is a good choice. Like Amanda, she has a strong ability to empathize, connect with the contestants' stories, and evoke the audience's emotions.

After speaking to the three judges, Ren Pingsheng leaned back.

"Then there are the observers. This person needs to complement the three judges. If the judges are too serious, he can handle it. If the contestants break down emotionally, he can support them. If the atmosphere gets cold, he can give them a push. But at the same time, he can't steal the spotlight from the judges."

He glanced at the people at the table. "And judging from the lineup you've narrowed down, this person has to be from Northeast China."

Immediately, everyone looked at him in surprise.

Jin Lei put down his pen. "A Northeasterner?"

"right."

Why?

"Because your three judges, although each has their own cultural temperament, all lean towards the South and the elite route," Ren Pingsheng said. "If a talent show is only popular in the Yangtze River Delta and Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, it's not very useful. What we need is a nationwide hit, and the northern market can't be weak."

"Moreover, people from Northeast China have a natural affinity for stage performances, whether they are contestants or audience members."

Chen Tai nodded slowly.

Jin Lei picked up his pen again. "As for specific candidates, has Director Ren made any recommendations?"