With the launch of the comedy competition show "Comedy Conference," more than fifty comedians have come together this autumn. Through multiple rounds of performances, they will continuously restructure, collaborate, and co-create to determine the ultimate "Comedy Position."
The show has aired its first two episodes, and the comedians' performances respect the varying levels of humor and emotional needs of the audience, while also prompting self-reflection and philosophical contemplation amidst the laughter. There’s a comedic yet satirical commentary on the low-quality explanation of short videos in "The History of Movie Decline," culminating in a three-part finale that maximizes the stage's effect; "Youth Hair Salon" triggers an audience's nostalgia with the sudden extinguishing of the word "youth" in the salon's lightbox; "Understanding You Inside Your Head" uses the concept of "secret signals among girls" to showcase the collective wisdom of contemporary women; and "Yujie Creates Characters" even made a splash on social media following its release, trending first on Xiaohongshu with the phrase “Giegie can be written in Chinese characters,” where netizens engaged in discussions about its seemingly absurd yet ultimately profound themes...
"Comedy Conference" "Select Laugh City Roadshow" live event
Recently, "Comedy Conference" held a "Select Laugh City Roadshow" event where actors Wang Jixu, Guo Bao, Shui Wang (Tao Yujie), Summer (Lin Huiying), Guo Tete, Zhang Weiwei, and writer A Zha attended to engage with the audience about the behind-the-scenes of the show.
During the event, the actors shared stories from the recording of the show. When asked who possesses the most comedic talent among the "HAHA MAKERS," actor Xu Huiqiang openly praised Li Chuan, saying, “I really admire him; he has a broad range in his career!” Another actor humorously remarked that they “feared” Li Chuan's charisma and preferred not to perform alongside him.
During an interactive segment, the actors creatively showcased their works and characters through their outfits and props. Summer, from "Youth Hair Salon," donned a stylish wig from the show and transformed into a member of the "Youth Family," starting a spirited dance-off that evoked waves of nostalgia.
Zhang Weiwei performed the song titled "Zhang Guishuang," named after his mother and sharing the same name as his piece, "We in the Ultrasound." With years of experience in comedy, Zhang Weiwei humbly reflected on his journey in the genre, stating, “I’ve just been naturally continuing along this comedic path.”
Still from "Youth Hair Salon"
"An original sketch only lasts a few minutes, but it carries so much emotion, memories, laughter, and tears from the creators," Summer confessed, revealing her complex emotions about growing up and how "Youth Hair Salon" addressed some regrets of her youth, “For example, when I was in school, we weren’t allowed to dye our hair, so I had to stick with thick bangs." As she created this program, she found herself puzzled by the current youth culture, "Sometimes, there are parentheses in a string of words; are they honest or sarcastic?"
Still from "Understanding You Inside Your Head"
Despite lacking explosive punchlines or stage dynamics, "Understanding You Inside Your Head" garnered applause from the audience for its poignant portrayal of female friendship. Guo Tete shared that during the exhibition period of "Comedy Conference," she accidentally cut her hand and had to go to the hospital. Hammer Lisa canceled a work meeting to rush to the hospital, and after stitching her up, they all suddenly realized they were hungry and went out for wontons, later inexplicably bursting into song on the way back... "My hand hurt a bit, but I felt love." The sisterhood naturally infused everyday details into their creative work, "I tend to be someone who speaks faster than I think and am often insensitive to others' micro-expressions, so I feel lucky to always be cared for and tolerated by everyone."
Still from "Elevator People"
"Elevator People" shatters and reorganizes ordinary life, with witty dialogues that provoke reflections on life’s circumstances. Actor Guo Bao candidly expressed that his dream had always been to make films, but participating in "Comedy Conference" has opened a new path for him, allowing him to communicate with the audience and express himself. "Of course, if, after the show airs, I get noticed by more people and get opportunities to make films, that would be even better!"
In addition to actors and writers, stand-up comedian Liang Haiyuan and "Stand-up Comedy and Their Friends" contestant Jia Hao also attended the event. Liang Haiyuan, who previously wrote sketches for "Saturday Night Live," praised "We in the Ultrasound": “It's a sketch with a very high emotional intensity for me.”
Jia Hao also expressed his admiration for "Understanding You Inside Your Head" and "Yujie Creates Characters": “‘Understanding You Inside Your Head’ is so funny; I experienced the same thing when I went with my friends on blind dates. And ‘Yujie Creates Characters’ made me realize that there’s a common understanding among comedians.” Jia Hao called for the "HAHA MAKERS" to rise to fame quickly, stating, "We must not let these handsome and humorous people only do stand-up!"
Still from "Yujie Creates Characters"
Regarding the selection criteria for actors in "Comedy Conference," producer Bai Hongyu stated that beyond valuing an actor's passion for the comedic stage, the production team also assesses candidates based on their performance ability, personal charm, and creative skills across three dimensions.
When asked about expectations for "Comedy Conference" as the last comedy variety show of the year, he expressed, “I hope ‘Comedy Conference’ can live up to everyone’s expectations, that the actors and writers can leave a deep impression in this competitive environment, and that through their works, they can fully showcase their charisma and gain more opportunities in the future.”