CCTV host Bi Fujian, famous nationwide for presenting the annual Spring Festival Gala, has been banned from the airwaves after a video of him insulting Chairman Mao went viral online.
In the mobile phone recording, Bi improvises a satirical rewriting of the iconic revolutionary opera Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy - the tale of a Communist soldier who disguises himself as a bandit in order to infiltrate a local gang and bring about their destruction. Added to the original lyrics, however, were bawdy jibes directed at the late Communist leader.
"The Communist Party and Chairman Mao," the 56-year-old celebrity sang to guests at a private dinner function, "Don't mention that old c***, he made us suffer enough."
Citing the destruction of the Civil War, the disastrous Great Leap Forward and resultant Great Famine that killed upwards to 40 million and the 'lost generation' of the Cultural Revolution, some might argue that the line is difficult to dispute. For the Chinese party-state, however, modern history is only open to discussion if one takes the "correct view."
Bi Fujian in happier times
Ironically, Bi's Cultural Revolution satire has earned him a very Cultural Revolution punishment: pilloried in the press with all national news organizations told to reprint an official reprimand and then having his programs pulled for four days.
In the government's response, Bi was described as having "a critically adverse effect on society" and the public was assured that he would be "dealt with severely."
Bi's impromptu performance has already been thoroughly expunged from the Chinese internet, but you can still watch the full clip on YouTube here:
[Image via Apple Daily]
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