FWTS ## Chapter 140: Participating in a Reality Show
## Chapter 140: Participating in a Reality Show
Outdoor reality shows follow a similar process to indoor variety shows, where participants can understand the overall recording schedule. The reality show "Our Seventeen" revolves around six MCs (main characters) traveling together, encountering various issues related to transportation, dinner, accommodation, and even weather. The show's format is designed to create content around these issues, producing one episode per two-day, one-night period, which is also the typical recording cycle unless extended due to special circumstances.
Like many reality shows, "Our Seventeen" includes numerous games, with individual, team, and collaborative competitions. Usually, 4-6 games are planned for each episode, with 3-5 of the most effective and content-rich ones making it to the final cut. The schedule Hóu Mùyún received for this episode included five games, complete with names and descriptions, indicating that the participants are not as "unaware" as the broadcast might suggest.
So, do reality shows have scripts? This was a question Hóu Mùyún was particularly curious about. The answer is clearly yes! However, it's not as rigid as some might think, where every action and line is pre-planned. The so-called script is actually a combination of the schedule and some pre-determined key points that the producers believe will generate good content. Specific segments designed to be particularly effective are also included.
In summary, the "script" is more of a framework, leaving plenty of room for the MCs to improvise. Each MC has a specific role or persona, and while some outcomes and consequences are pre-determined by the production team, much of the show relies on the natural interactions and performances of the participants. Different reality shows vary in how much structure they impose, with some being more rigid and others allowing more spontaneity. "Our Seventeen" strikes a balance between the two.
After going through the schedule, Hóu Mùyún had a better understanding of the nature of reality shows. While it isn't exactly acting, there are certainly elements of performance involved, as the "reality" still needs to be entertaining.
In this episode, Hóu Mùyún wasn't just a regular guest; he was stepping in as a substitute MC. One of the regular MCs, Olympic champion Dà Bái Yáng, had to miss several episodes due to national team training. Given that this episode was set in Wén County, Huā Shǎo thought of Hóu Mùyún immediately, and the directors agreed it was a good fit.
After discussing the details, Huā Shǎo introduced Hóu Mùyún to his assigned cameraman and other staff members. The next morning, the crew left the hotel around 6 AM, heading to the first filming location, the Fēiyún Lake Scenic Area. By the time Hóu Mùyún arrived, the crew was ready, and the five MCs were in position. They clapped the slate and started filming.
The director introduced the location and mentioned that this trip was a wish of Huā Shǎo. Huā Shǎo talked about how he learned about Liú Jī from the phrase “glittering on the outside but rotten on the inside,” read many of his poems and stories, and always wanted to visit his hometown. The director then explained that Dà Bái Yáng couldn't participate due to training and introduced Hóu Mùyún as Huā Shǎo's friend stepping in for him.
Hóu Mùyún's roles in this episode were "local guide" and chef. The other four MCs, regardless of whether they knew Hóu Mùyún before, were naturally familiar with the schedule and welcomed him warmly.
Next, they started the first game to decide their transportation for the trip. Three winners would ride in the sponsor's nice car, while the remaining three would have to take a run-down seven-seater van. Fans of the show knew this segment as "Lucky or Unlucky Transportation," with "lucky" meaning good, also tying in with the show's sponsor.
The game's name was "Glittering on the Outside, Rotten on the Inside." The rules were simple: the production team provided a set of candies, six per round, with only one being sweet and the rest extremely sour. The first to eat the sweet candy won, and subsequent rounds would have fewer candies until three winners emerged. The deciding factor? Their facial expressions.
And that was the purpose of the game.
"How sour can it be? I'll go first. I'm not afraid of sour things at all!" Huā Shǎo was the first to pick a candy. "I've chosen."
Huá Zǎi, who had played Constable Xing in the classic episodic costume comedy, said, "Well, eat it then."
Huā Shǎo replied, "I picked first, so I'll eat last."
Huá Zǎi retorted, "That's too sneaky. You want us to go first so you can avoid the sour one. You should eat it first."
Holding the candy near his mouth, Huā Shǎo hesitated, "I won't eat it."
"There’s a mosquito!" Standing next to Huā Shǎo, Hóu Mùyún suddenly exclaimed. He then reached out and slapped Huā Shǎo's hand, inadvertently making him pop the candy into his mouth. "Missed it, it flew away."
Huá Zǎi stifled his laughter, "Your hand slipped too, huh? All good, all good!"
The candy quickly dissolved, and half of it melted almost instantly. Huā Shǎo's expression changed drastically, and tears welled up from the sourness.
Everyone burst into laughter, amused by both Hóu Mùyún's action and Huā Shǎo's reaction.
Guō Tiānwáng pointed at Huā Shǎo, "Serves you right!"
The Cantonese accent adding an "er" sound at the end made it even funnier.
Next, the others picked their candies, and Huá Zǎi was lucky enough to find the sweet one on his fourth try.
Round two began.
Guō Tiānwáng picked first and jumped in sour surprise.
Huā Shǎo was up next. Hóu Mùyún stopped him, "Huā Shǎo, you know, I'm a chef with a very keen sense of taste. I can tell just by smelling. To make up for earlier, let me help you pick." He pointed to one of the candies, "This one."
Huā Shǎo rolled his eyes, "Who would believe you!"
He chose a different one, and it was sour again!
"Where's the basic trust between people?"
Hóu Mùyún looked hurt, picked up the candy he had pointed to earlier, and put it in his mouth. It was sweet, so he won.
Everyone was a bit stunned by the odds—one in three.
Round three started.
Hóu Mùyún earnestly said to Huā Shǎo, "This time, you trust me, right?" He pointed to another candy.
Huā Shǎo gritted his teeth, "I'll trust you this time!"
He picked the one Hóu Mùyún pointed at, and it was sour. Huā Shǎo jumped up and chased Hóu Mùyún around.
...
The first location shoot went smoothly, with plenty of good material and reactions. After taking a group photo, they moved to the next location.
From the production team's perspective, Hóu Mùyún performed quite well, especially with his antics involving Huā Shǎo, providing a lot of good footage.
The initial idea to invite Hóu Mùyún was partly due to Huā Shǎo's suggestion, partly because Hóu Mùyún had started his career on Blue Whale TV, and also due to his recent popularity. There was uncertainty about whether Hóu Mùyún had the right sense for variety shows. The plan was to get through the shoot focusing mainly on his cooking skills, while the main highlights would be the other five MCs.
But after the first location shoot, the team was pleasantly surprised.
At the very least, they discovered Hóu Mùyún had a knack for creating entertaining moments, especially through playful tricks!
NEXT