Gặp nhau cuối năm
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2011) |
| Gặp nhau cuối năm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Creative director | Đỗ Thanh Hải |
| Presented by | Thảo Vân (2003 - 2021) |
| Starring | Quốc Khánh Xuân Bắc (2003 - 2021) Công Lý (2003 - 2021) Trung Ruồi (2022 - ) Đỗ Duy Nam (2022 - ) Vân Dung Tự Long Quang Thắng Chí Trung Minh Hằng |
| Country of origin | Vietnam |
| No. of episodes | 18 (Táo Quân version) 1 (new version) |
| Production | |
| Producer | VFC |
| Running time | 90 - 150 minutes (TV edition) 90 - 200 minutes (original edition) |
| Release | |
| Original network | VTV |
| Picture format | PAL HDTV 1080i |
| Original release | 31 January 2003 – present |
Gặp nhau cuối năm (lit. 'Year-end reunion'), is a Vietnamese annual TV satirical comedy that is broadcast across all channels of the Vietnamese national broadcaster Vietnam Television (VTV) on Lunar New Year's Eve, and produced by the Vietnam Television Film Center (VFC). The show is widely popular in Vietnam, and is considered a television staple of the Vietnamese New Year period.
Gặp nhau cuối năm is known for its comedic take on the socio-political and economical issues of the year in Vietnam. VFC has been producing the show for VTV since 2003. The show features some of the biggest names of Vietnamese comedy, including Quốc Khánh, Vân Dung, Quang Thắng, Tự Long, Công Lý and Xuân Bắc.
History[]
Gặp nhau cuối năm has been produced by the Vietnam Television Film Center since 2003. The show was originally produced as a special Lunar New Year episode of VTV's former comedy show Gặp nhau cuối tuần ("Weekend meet"). Gặp nhau cuối năm became a separate program in 2006.
On 22 November 2019, VTV and VFC confirmed that they would put the Táo Quân version of Gặp nhau cuối năm on hold.[1] The new version of Gặp nhau cuối năm, mainly consisting of characters from famous Vietnamese literary works, was produced and aired in 2020 but was not well received by the public, who expressed the desire for the Táo Quân version to return.
On 11 January 2021, VFC announced the return of the Táo Quân version of Gặp nhau cuối năm, starting in 2021.[2]
Plot[]
The show is mainly set in Heaven ruled by Ngọc Hoàng (Jade Emperor or God). He has two assistants, Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu (named after the two star constellations Crux and Big Dipper) who helps him manage affairs of the kingdom below. There are a few other characters off-handedly mentioned, but usually only Thiên Lôi (God of Thunder) is on-screen and often has to run Heaven's errands.
Every year, Ngọc Hoàng assembles the Táo Quân(s) (Kitchen God) to Heaven to report the affairs in Vietnam throughout the year to him. Unlike the original legend, there could be multiple Táo(s), each in charge of one aspect of the country's society (such as transportation, economy, education, culture or tourism, but no politics, military or defense). The Táo(s) are typically named after the division they are in charge of, although in 2015 they are named after the Five Elementals (Wu Xing).
Táo(s) report directly to Ngọc Hoàng with the presence of Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu, who often find faults in their reports and run into arguments. Ngọc Hoàng typically hears the stories and makes comments, but can be sarcastic and show unexpected talents and remarks. Although the majority of reports are done by prose, sometimes the reports can be told by other forms, such as dancing, singing or short plays. The reports highlight the socio-political and economical issues of the past year in Vietnam, often interpreted in a more comedic and light-hearted manner.
At the end of the assembly, all of the Táo(s) gather, and Ngọc Hoàng reads the final remarks. The show ends with all the cast and presenter Thảo Vân (the latter until 2021)[3] wishing audiences a happy new year.
Starting from 2009, in addition to the main plot, the show also includes an accompanying theme and scenario.
- In 2009, the Táo Quân(s) presented Hoa Táo, a parody of the beauty competition Miss Vietnam.
- In 2011, the show was named Táo Idol with the format based on Vietnam Idol.
- In 2013, the show was based on the format of The Voice of Vietnam. In addition, Ngọc Hoàng, Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu switched bodies by order, unbeknownst to the Táo Quân(s).
- In 2014, Ngọc Hoàng had a sore throat and could not attend the assembly. Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu was forced to find a lookalike, Tèo (also played by Quốc Khánh) and trained him to act as a temporary replacement for Ngọc Hoàng.
- In 2015, the later part of the show featured a competition where Ngọc Hoàng requested to find a third sidekick in the zenith for him, alongside Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu. This part was based on the television game shows Ai là triệu phú (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?) and Ơn giời cậu đây rồi (Thank God You're Here).
- In 2016, the later part of the show featured a wheel from Chiếc nón kỳ diệu (Wheel of Fortune) to find out which Táo is responsible for corruption.
- In 2018, the show marked its 15th anniversary, but the reporting part was removed. Instead, this year's show featured a catwalk runway and a competition to win the title of "the first quintessence Táo".
Music and performances[]
The show frequently features music and dance performances throughout. Although the settings and costumes are based on the imperial era, if necessary, the singers (and even the actors themselves) can change to a more contemporary look. The show also frequently parodies Vietnamese and foreign songs, by rewriting the lyrics for storytelling purposes. Many performances later become Internet memes in Vietnam. The incomplete list includes:
2008
2009
2010
- "I Have a Dream" (ABBA)
- "Daddy Cool" (Boney M.)
2011
- "Un-Break My Heart" (Toni Braxton)
- ()
2013
- "Gangnam Style" (PSY)
- Lý kéo chài
- ()
2014
- ()
- ()
2015
- ()
- ()
2016
- (Trịnh Công Sơn)
- ()
- Mình đi đâu thế (Hoàng Bách)
2017
- Mắt nai cha cha (Hồng Ngọc)
2018
2019
2021
- Big City Boi (binz)
- ()
Cast[]
The cast of Táo Quân is composed of multiple famous comedians and actors from Northern Vietnam. Quốc Khánh (as the ruler of Heaven), Xuân Bắc (as Nam Tào until 2021) and Công Lý (as Bắc Đẩu until 2021) are the show's regulars. The remaining Táo roles are played by various actors and actresses.
Regular roles[]
- Quốc Khánh (Ngọc Hoàng, since 2004): ruler of Heaven. Every year, he listens to reports from the Táo Quân(s) on matters down on Earth (Vietnam). He cares for the common people and is focused on proposing ways to improve their life and well-being. He sometimes can be childish or flirtatious.
- Công Lý (Bắc Đẩu, from 2003 to 2021): Ngọc Hoàng's assistant alongside Nam Tào. They have a softer personality than Nam Tào, although on reporting matters they can be sharp and critical. They often quarrel with Nam Tào on various issues; however, both Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu generally work well with each other. They respect Ngọc Hoàng, but sometimes speak ill behind his back. Trung Ruồi was cast in the role in 2022 after Công Lý left the show due to health reasons.[4]
- Xuân Bắc (Nam Tào, from 2003 to 2021): Ngọc Hoàng's assistant alongside Bắc Đẩu. He is not afraid of harsh statements towards the Táo(s) in their reports, although he is prone to corruption and has accepted bribery from Táo multiple times. Đỗ Duy Nam was cast in the role in 2022 after Xuân Bắc left the show due to personal reasons.[4]
Recurring roles[]
Since the roles of Táo change every year, the following list goes by actor.
- Vân Dung (2003–present): she alternates in different years between Táo Y tế (Healthcare) and Táo Giáo dục (Education).
- Quang Thắng (2003–present): often enters with a grand entrance. He generally takes the role of Táo Kinh tế (Economy), although sometimes he did play the role of Táo Giáo dục (Education).
- Chí Trung (2005–present): he generally takes the role of Táo Giao thông (Transportation) or equivalent.
- Tự Long (2003–present): a comedian originated from chèo, hence his acts often incorporate songs and performances. Generally he takes over the role of Táo Văn hoá (Culture).
Non-frequent appearances[]
- Quốc Trượng (as Ngọc Hoàng) (2003)
- Minh Hằng: (2005 - 2007, 2009, 2012 - 2013, 2015, 2018)
- Minh Vượng (2004 – 2008, 2018)
- Thành Trung (2007 – 2014)
- Thu Hương (2003)
- Hiệp Gà (2004, 2007, 2009 - 2011): play the role of Gia Cát Dự. He claims to be a descendant of Zhuge Liang at his divine power of prediction, although he usually predicts everything wrong. In 2011, he took the role of Táo Quy Hoạch (City planner).
- Phạm Bằng (2005 - 2006)
- Anh Tuấn (2009)
- Bá Anh (2007 – 2008)
- Văn Hiệp (2006)
- Quốc Quân (2004, 2006, 2012)
- Bình Trọng (2006, 2008 - 2009, 2011 - 2012)
- Đức Hải (2010)
- Đức Khuê (2010)
- Đỗ Duy Nam (2014, 2017 – 2021)
- Trung Ruồi (2017 – 2021)
- Lâm Vỹ Dạ (2021)
- Mạnh Hưng (2021)
- Mạnh Dũng (2016 - 2021)
Supporting roles[]
Every year, the show includes many celebrities and comedians as supporting characters. Celebrities joined as supporting characters are listed below in order of year of appearance:
- Tiến Quang (2003, 2005 – 2006)
- Phú Đôn (2003 – 2004)
- Giang Còi (2003, 2005)
- Bình Trọng (as Thiên Lôi, the God of Thunder) (2006, 2008 – 2009, 2011 - 2012)
- Hoàng Sơn (2006)
- Mai Sơn (2006)
- Viết Thái (2006)
- Tạ Am (2006)
- Nhật Cường (2006)
- Thế Anh (2007)
- Chiến Thắng (2007)
- Hải Anh (2008)
- Phan Anh (2011)
- Kiên Trung (2011, 2014)
- Quốc Anh (2012)
- Minh Quân (2013 – 2016, 2018)
- Việt Bắc (2014, 2018, 2021)
- Tiến Minh (2014, 2021)
- Chí Tài (2015)
- Việt Hương (2015)
- Tuấn Hưng (2015)
- Bình Minh (2016)
- Quân Anh (2016–18)
- Xuân Bắc's sons (2018)
- Đức Hùng (fashion designer) (2018)
- Lan Hương (2019)
Timeline of actors/actresses[]
- Legend
- Featured as a main character.
- Featured as a supporting character.
| Name of celebrity | 1 (2003) | 2 (2004) | 3 (2005) | 4 (2006) | 5 (2007) | 6 (2008) | 7 (2009) | 8 (2010) | 9 (2011) | 10 (2012) | 11 (2013) | 12 (2014) | 13 (2015) | 14 (2016) | 15 (2017) | 16 (2018) | 17 (2019) | 18 (2021) | 19 (2022) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thảo Vân | Host | |||||||||||||||||||
| Quốc Khánh | Ngọc Hoàng | Ngọc Hoàng / Tèo (car valet) | Ngọc Hoàng | |||||||||||||||||
| Xuân Bắc | Nam Tào | |||||||||||||||||||
| Công Lý | Bắc Đẩu | |||||||||||||||||||
| Quang Thắng | Táo Quân | Táo Quốc lộ (Highway) | Táo Giáo dục (Education) | Táo Giao thông (Transportation) | Táo Quy hoạch (City Planning) | Táo Kinh tế (Economy) | Táo Tiền Vàng (Gold & Money) | Táo Kinh tế (Economy) | Táo Hoả (Fire) | Táo Kinh tế (Economy) | Táo Kinh Công (Economy-Industry & Trade) | Táo Kinh tế (Economy) | ||||||||
| Tự Long | Supporting role | Táo Hải sản (Seafood) | Miss De Jang-geum | Táo Thể thao (Sports) | Supporting role | Táo Thoát nước (Drainage) | Táo Giáo dục (Education) | Táo Văn hoá – Xã hội (Culture & Society) | Táo Thể thao (Sports) | Thổ địa | Táo Giao thông (Transportation) | Táo Mộc (Wood) | Táo Tinh thần (Morale) | Táo Môi trường (Environment) | Táo Xã hội (Society) | Táo Giao thông (Transportation) | Táo Xã hội (Society) | Táo Mạng (Internet) | ||
| Vân Dung | Táo Xã hội (Society) | Táo Dược phẩm (Pharmacy) | Táo Y tế (Healthcare) | Táo Kinh tế (Economy) | Táo Báo chí (Journalism) | Táo Tiêu dùng (Consumption) | Táo Cộng đồng (Community) | Táo Điện lực (Electricity) | Táo Y tế (Healthcare) | Táo Dân sinh (Livelihood) | Táo Y tế (Healthcare) | Táo Thuỷ (Water) | Táo Giáo dục (Education) | Táo Y tế (Healthcare) | Táo Xã hội (Society) | Táo Y tế (Healthcare) | Táo Xã hội (Society) | |||
| Chí Trung | Táo Giao thông (Transportation) | Táo Xây dựng (Construction) | Táo Quan chức (Officials) | Táo Giao thông (Transportation) | Táo Điện lực (Electricity) | Táo Thổ (Earth) | Táo Xã hội (Society) | Táo Công chức (Officials) | Táo Quy hoạch (City Planning) | Táo Giáo dục (Education) | Táo Giao thông (Transportation) | |||||||||
| Minh Hằng | Mama Chuê | Táo Đầu tư (Investment) | Táo Văn hoá (Culture) | Táo Điện lực (Electricity) | Táo Giáo dục (Education) | Táo Văn thể (Culture-Sport) | Táo Kim (Metal) | Táo Môi trường (Environment) | ||||||||||||
| Phạm Bằng | Táo Văn nghệ (Art) | Táo Tài nguyên (Natural Resources) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Quốc Trượng | Ngọc Hoàng | |||||||||||||||||||
| Thu Hương | Táo Văn hóa (Culture) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Văn Hiệp | Supporting role | Táo Công nghiệp (Industry) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Minh Vượng | Supporting role | Táo Kinh tế (Economy) | Táo Cơ chế (System) | Táo Đời sống (Life) | Táo Hưu trí (Retirement) | |||||||||||||||
| Đức Khuê | Táo Dân sinh (Livelihood) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Đức Hải | Táo Thực phẩm (Food) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Quốc Quân | Táo Giáo dục (Education) | Supporting role | Supporting role | |||||||||||||||||
| Bá Anh | Táo Giáo dục (Education) | Táo Kinh tế (Economy) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hồ Liên | Táo Giáo dục (Education) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Thành Trung | Táo Y tế (Healthcare) | Táo Nông dân (Farmer) | Táo Quy hoạch (City Planning) | Thiên Lôi's relative | Táo Điện lực (Electricity) | Supporting role | ||||||||||||||
| Anh Tuấn | Táo Y tế (Healthcare) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Diễm Hương | Táo Văn hoá (Culture) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Hiệp Gà | Supporting role | Táo Blog | Gia Cát Dự | Táo Quy hoạch (City Planning) | ||||||||||||||||
| Lâm Vỹ Dạ | Humanoid robot (modeled after Bắc Đẩu) | |||||||||||||||||||
Episodes[]
Lunar New Years[]
| Episode number | Air date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 January 2003 | First edition of the "Táo Quân" version |
| 2 | 21 January 2004 | |
| 3 | 8 February 2005 | |
| 4 | 28 January 2006 | |
| 5 | 16 February 2007 | |
| 6 | 6 February 2008 | |
| 7 | 25 January 2009 | |
| 8 | 13 February 2010 | |
| 9 | 2 February 2011 | |
| 10 | 22 January 2012 | |
| 11 | 9 February 2013 | Special edition, 10th anniversary |
| 12 | 30 January 2014 | |
| 13 | 18 February 2015 | |
| 14 | 7 February 2016 | |
| 15 | 27 January 2017 | |
| 16 | 15 February 2018 | Special edition, 15th anniversary |
| 17 | 4 February 2019 | |
| 18 | 24 January 2020 | New version, aired only in 2020 |
| 19 | 11 February 2021 | |
| 20 | 31 January 2022 |
International New Years[]
| Episode number | Air date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A | 31 December 2006 | First episode |
| B | 31 December 2007 | Last episode |
Filming and broadcasting[]
The show is broadcast across all of VTV's channels on Vietnamese New Year's Eve every year since its inception. Initially from 2003 to 2005 and 2007, Táo Quân was filmed at S9 studio – Vietnam Television and until 2008, Kim Mã Theater was chosen as the location for filming; in 2006, 2009, 2010 – 2014 and 2018 - 2021, the show was filmed at The Vietnam – Soviet Friendship Labor Culture Palace (Vietnamese: Cung Văn hoá Lao động Hữu nghị Việt – Xô) in Hanoi. In 2015 and 2017, the show was filmed at S14 studio – Vietnam Television. In 2016, the show was filmed at S15 studio – Vietnam Television.
From 2010 to 2013, in addition, the show was released on DVD a week before the air date. The DVD version has the full recording and is usually longer and slightly different from the TV version. However, since 2014, VTV stopped releasing DVDs and started releasing the show digitally. The 2014 release was handled by CNC and the 2015 to 2017 release was distributed by VTV Digital (VTV Go). The 2018 show was released exclusively on VTV's multi-platform entertainment portal VTVGiaiTri.[5]
As a result of its popularity, many other TV channels have copied Táo Quân's format.
On YouTube, the show has achieved more than 320 million views (this includes all of the versions and performances).
The actors have about two months to prepare for the show, which begins production one week before the television air date. The show is shot in 3 days, afterwards it is edited to fit in its 2-hour broadcasting block on television (including commercials). An extended cut, typically at around 3 hours, is subsequently released.
As Lunar New Year is also a busy time for Vietnamese comedians, the cast often has to rehearse at nighttime, which takes a toll on their health and personal life. For instance, in 2017, Quốc Khánh (who portrays the Emperor) lost his mother at the time of rehearsals and had to take on responsibilities for her funeral as well as for the show. Such demanding schedule, however, do not deter big names from committing to the show.
Controversies[]
In 2009, two performances by Táo Điện lực ("Electrical Manager") (played by Minh Hang), in which she was singing songs asking for government funding, were censored. One performance was completely removed from the broadcast and the other was replaced by a later re-recorded version with changes in its lyrics. In that same special, a verse (also about asking the government for money) from a song called "Lụt từ ngã tư đường phố" (Flood from the Crossroads) performed by Táo Thoát nước ("Drainaging Manager") was also removed from the broadcast. However, all the original uncut performances from the special were later leaked onto the internet.
In 2013, VFC and VTV were requested to censor some of the jokes that were considered offensive and inappropriate by the Department of Arts and Performance (Vietnamese: Cục Nghệ thuật Biểu diễn or just NTBD). As such, the DVD release for the show came 4 days later than planned.[6]
In 2015, the Department of Arts and Performance asked VFC to submit the full script of the show to be reviewed before taping but the request was denied by VFC. Đỗ Thanh Hải – the show's creative director – spoke out against the department's move. To avoid censorship from the NTBD, the show had to be moved to Studio 14 of VTV, a venue that is smaller than the Viet Xo Friendship Labour Cultural Place (Vietnamese: Cung Văn hóa Lao động Hữu nghị Việt Xô), where the show was planned to take place.[7]
In 2017, some of the show's jokes were censored by VTV. However, VFC later released the original cut of the show on YouTube.
In 2018, VFC and VTV were criticized for allowing several offensive jokes on the LGBT community and body shaming. The issue was met with polarized reactions but VFC and VTV gave no further comments.[8][9]
References[]
- ^ "[CHÍNH THỨC] "Táo quân" ngừng sản xuất sau 16 năm, khán giả sẽ được thưởng thức chương trình nghệ thuật mới đêm 30 Tết". 22 November 2019.
- ^ "CHÍNH THỨC: Táo quân trở lại!". 11 January 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "MC Thảo Vân bật khóc khi nghe tin dừng dẫn Táo Quân 2022". VietNamNet (in Vietnamese). 15 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Táo Quân 2022 lộ diện: Diễn viên trẻ thay thế Công Lý, Xuân Bắc". VietNamNet (in Vietnamese). 16 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Tao Quan on VTVGiaiTri".
- ^ "Tao Quan 2013 went under censorship".
- ^ "VFS was asked to submit Tao Quan Script to be reviewed".
- ^ "Tet Comedy Special 'Tao Quan' Under Fire for Transphobic, Body-Shaming Jokes".
- ^ "Nếu không bị xúc phạm cay nghiệt, Bắc Đẩu là nhân vật tôn vinh LGBT?".
See also[]
- New Year's television specials
- 2000s Vietnamese television series
- 2010s Vietnamese television series
- 2003 Vietnamese television series debuts