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Who the hell is Xiao Shenyang?

At Youku Buzz Steven Lin (aka flypig) translates from a Xiao Shenyang skit.

Lin introduces Xiao Shenyang so:

Who the hell is Xiao Shenyang (or Little Shenyang)? How did he become a nation-wide phenomenon overnight? ... For most laowai, it’s difficult understanding Xiao Shenyang’s skit: Hey, he’s nothing but a tasteless and creepy gender-bender, right?

For those who don't know who he is, Xiao Shengyang, together with his teacher, Zhao Benshan, performed what was considered the best xiaopin (comic skit) at this year's Spring Festival Gala.

Lin's translation from the video of BTV's Spring Festival Gala, from 1:00 to 2:35, is reprinted below with the translator's permission:

It’s my turn now. Maybe my appearance has surprised lots of dear friends [what he calls his audience]. A man like me will probably baffle you guys. Hoa~ [his iconic interjection].

Actually, when I was a child, I looked quite pretty, dear friends. My mom still praises me nowadays, “Son, don’t be pissed off because people say you’re ugly. You were the prettiest when you were a kid. Moms know best. Every time I took you to the park, many people gathered around, asking: “Auntie, where did you find this monkey?!’”

This doesn’t matter, dear friends. I just look like a monster. A real monster. I would meet with strange comments everywhere. Pia~ pia~ de [his other iconic interjection].

But sometimes I was lucky in love. The other day, with my little bag, dear friends… As you know, I come from Northeastern China [Dongbei], somewhere near Shenyang… with my little bag, I was walking on the street. Pia~ pia~ de. I was walking. Pia~ pia~ de. As I was walking, a girl came up to me, who looked quite outstanding, and quite pretty. She as about 17 or 18, and excitedly asks me, “Bro, are you the guy who performs in the ‘Er Ren Zhuan’ (二人转, 'two-person act')? The guy named ‘Xiao Shenyang’?” I responded: “Yeah. So?” “Bro, every time I look at you, I think that I see the sea.”

How sweet she was, dear friends! That was the first time I was praised as ‘the sea’! I was so happy! I asked, “Do you like me? Are you falling in love with me?” This girl’s answer was so irritating. “Bro, please don’t misunderstand me,” she said, “I have seasick problems. When I see the sea, I just throw up…”

For more on errenzhuan see this article.

There are currently 17 Comments for Who the hell is Xiao Shenyang? .

Comments on Who the hell is Xiao Shenyang?

Why would I think he's a tasteless and creepy gender-bender? I think I can appreciate imitations as well as anyone.

I also think he's tasteless. His popularity simply reflects the tastelessness of a large share of Chinese audience.

Xiao Shenyang is a hell of a talent in the best vaudevillian tradition of song-and-dance-interspered with jokes and puns directed at himself and the audience. I've watched his two performances at least half-a-dozen times on various tv channels since New Year's, finally with Chinese subtitles added the last few times so the depth of humour could be appreciated through his purposely thick accent.

Also, not wanting to initiate yet another spat over translation but "pia-pia-de" by intent and the characters is best translated as "patter, patter" which in context is the sound of little feet.

Also, in both peformances Xiao Shenyang was in front of a live audience; his sense of timing with other actors, his expression, knowing just how far to go to tease the audience then drop the punch line or break out into a popular song with a deeply masculine voice, was just superb. This guy is a genuine talent on stage. He has the quality not seen in film but once requisite for all good actors - stage presence. He's also got a good shtick. Good for him.

"I also think he's tasteless. His popularity simply reflects the tastelessness of a large share of Chinese audience. "

And the tastes of the American and European audiences are any better?

I have watched him in the same skit many, many times since the gala and i still break out in laughter when he introduces his English name, which is essentially a higher pitched pronunciation of his Chinese one.

Hilarious.

I dont' like his master,Zhao benshan,but like Xiao shenyang very much.
It should not has such great impact if those words from other comics,but it so different from Xiao Shenyang.Because Xiao Shenyang he is!

Zhao Benshan is done, so here he comes, a heir-apparent to entertain us in future new year festivals.

And his role in 乡村爱情 was just as good.

no matter how tasteless and creepy he is, he is talented.

Zhao wouldn't have selected him if he wasn't talented.

and I respect Zhao for his eloquent yet nail-hitting criticisms to the power-worshipping system.

Xiaoshengyang is a bit like Lucas in Little Britain. :D

The English on this Danwei.org is so bad. Did they use Google Translate to write these articles?

'I also think he's tasteless. His popularity simply reflects the tastelessness of a large share of Chinese audience.'

I also think your comment is tastless. Your mentality simply reflects the tastelessness of the famiy and society that was responsible for your upbringing.

I dont' like his master,Zhao benshan,but like Xiao shenyang very much.
It should not has such great impact if those words from other comics,but it so different from Xiao Shenyang.Because Xiao Shenyang he is!

same feeling as you!

'I also think he's tasteless. His popularity simply reflects the tastelessness of a large share of Chinese audience.'

The popularity of vulgar performers I've seen in other parts of the world, and especially the USA reflect the tastlessness of those audiences.

If Lady Gaga could be world famous, why couldn't Chinese audience like this guy?

What is the border of "tasteless"?


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