Li Yong

Infobox Person
name = Li Yong (李咏)
birth_name =
birth_date = 1968
birth_place = Urumqi, Xinjiang
residence = Beijing
nationality = flagicon|China People's Republic of China
other_names =
known_for =
education = Beijing Broadcasting Institute
employer = CCTV
occupation = Television presenter
title =
salary =
networth = CNY500 million
height =
weight =
term =
predecessor =
successor =
party =
boards =
religion =
spouse = Ha Wen (19??-)
partner =
children = 1
parents =
relatives =


website = [http://www.cctv.com.cn/tvguide/anchors/liyong/liyong1.html]
footnotes =

Li Yong (zh-stp|s=李咏|t=李詠|p=Lĭ Yŏng; born in Xinjiang in 1968) is a leading host on China Central Television (CCTV).

Li's family originate from Shandong, but he grew up in western Xinjiang (considered a remote area of China), where he was interested in painting as a child [ [http://66.249.91.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=zh%7Cen&u=http://www.cctv.com/anchor/20050713/102006.shtml Wen Wei Po: Enthusiasm Unleashed in the Studio (via Google Translate)] ] . He excelled in the National College Entrance Examination and planned to become an actor. From 1987 he studied radio at the then Beijing Broadcasting Institute, [ [http://66.249.91.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=zh%7Cen&u=http://www.cctv.com.cn/tvguide/anchors/liyong/liyong1.html CCTV: Li Yong] ] where he began dating Ha Wen [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/21/international/asia/21li.html?ex=1295499600&en=fe7d16f8f7c2a431&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss Jim Yardley (New York Times): A TV 'King' Pushes the Limits, Flashily but Gently] ] . The two subsequently married; Ha has both produced Li's programmes for CCTV and been his publicist [zh icon [http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/features/userobject1ai2682970.html english.eastday.com ] ] . Li is a member of the Communist Party of China. After graduating, he joined CCTV's in 1991 as a choreographer. While he has also worked in news, he has made his name in light entertainment. He now lives in central Beijing and the couple have a daughter born in 2002. [ [http://66.249.91.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=zh%7Cen&u=http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_49182d0d01000afb.html Li Yong: I wish the five-year-old Princess Dou happy birthday! (via Google Translate)] ] [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/21/international/asia/21li.html?ex=1295499600&en=fe7d16f8f7c2a431&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss Jim Yardley (New York Times): A TV 'King' Pushes the Limits, Flashily but Gently] ]

Since 2001, he has been one the six main hosts of the CCTV New Year's Gala, which has a regular audience estimated at over one billion people. He is often used in on-screen and printed promotional material as the public face of CCTV.

Li was launched to fame by "Lucky 52" (幸运52), a CCTV-2 gameshow with audience figures around 50 million. Based on a British gameshow format [ [http://66.249.91.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=zh%7Cen&u=http://www.cctv.com.cn/tvguide/anchors/liyong/liyong1.html CCTV: Li Yong] ] (possibly Who Wants to be a Millionaire?), it relies heavily on Li's banter with contestants. The show currently airs on Fridays at 7.30pm. [ [http://www.danwei.org/tv/cctv_talent_show_seeks_foreign.php Jeremy Goldkorn (Danwei) "CCTV talent show seeks foreigners with China knowledge"] ]

He then added "Super 6+1", another gameshow broadcast on CCTV-2 on weekend evenings after Xinwen Lianbo. A spin-off talent competition named "Chinese Dream" was aired during the October 2005 National Holiday, as CCTV attempted to respond to the success of rival Hunan TV's Super Girl. Despite the support of SARFT, which was alleged to have clamped down on rival programmes [See Mandarin Wikipedia article] , the programme was considered a relatively failure and was folded back into "Super 6+1".

The World Brand Laboratory has recognized Li as the top TV host in China since their ranking began in 2004. His worth to CCTV is currently estimated at ¥500 million (at 2007 rates, £33m or US$66m). The 2005 ranking described him as unconventional, "humorous and intelligent". [zh icon [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-06/10/content_450260.htm Chinese most valuable TV hosts awarded ] ]

He is known for his flamboyant image and his looks, which have been described as unconventional and even ugly. [ [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2006/02/07/cctvs-li-yong CCTV’s Li Yong | Sinosplice: Life in China ] ] [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/21/international/asia/21li.html?ex=1295499600&en=fe7d16f8f7c2a431&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss A TV 'King' Pushes the Limits, Flashily but Gently - New York Times ] ] His on-screen dress is often formal men's attire with such modifications as sequins and brightly-coloured linings. His hair is longer than is conventional for Chinese men of his age and status. The 2005 ranking noted his tendency to laugh in front of the camera.

This Li Yong should not be confused with numerous other Li Yongs, notably the current Vice-Minister of Finance.

Controversies since 2006

In September 2006, Li appeared in an advertising campaign for Sunyard product of the Zhejiang Shiyou Timber Co. Ltd. The CCTV editorial committee omitted him from their "top ten" list for 2006, perhaps suggesting diminishing support within the organization's management. The original incident later prompted an investigation by CCTV's disciplinary inspection department, on the grounds that it breached SARFT guidelines. Ha denied that Li had endorsed the product, while admitting that he had attended a corporate publicity event for the produce. [zh icon [http://english.eastday.com/eastday/englishedition/features/userobject1ai2682970.html english.eastday.com ] ]

In November 2006, Li ran into further controversy at a television awards ceremony. His comments on the possible sex of the baby Jiang Qingqing was carrying were not appreciated. [ [http://www.danwei.org/tv/li_yong_vs_shaanxi_1.php Danwei: Li Yong vs Shaanxi] ]

Shortly afterwards, Chinese media reported that Song Tiechan, a forty-nine year old man from Wuhan, had completed surgery to make him resemble Li. [ [http://www.china.org.cn/english/entertainment/191924.htm Wuhan Man Changes Face for Li Yong - china.org.cn ] ]

On 12 January 2007, Li implied Shaanxi citizens were "lazy" on "Lucky 52", prompting criticism on China's influential bulletin boards. He subsequently apologized on his blog. [ [http://www.danwei.org/tv/li_yong_vs_shaanxi_1.php Danwei: Li Yong vs Shaanxi] ] In the 2007 CCTV New Year's Gala, Li and other hosts made a series of mistakes just before midnight, giving rise to the infamous "Black Three Minutes". [ [http://news.sohu.com/20070220/n248304946.shtml Sohu: The Black Three Minutes at the 2007 CCTV New Year's Gala] ]

The mounting pressure, led to rumours that Li announced his resignation from CCTV in September 2007. However, "Lucky 52" has denied that Li has resigned. [ [http://cn.ent.yahoo.com/07-09-/322/29g2l.html Yahoo! China: Li Yong leaving Lucky 52 is rumour only.] ]

The timing of these controversies may mark a downturn in Li's fortunes. However, they may simply reflect the increased availability in English of stories about a figure who has always been controversial.

References

External references

* [http://66.249.91.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=zh%7Cen&u=http://www.cctv.com.cn/tvguide/anchors/liyong/liyong1.html CCTV's official Li Yong introduction (in Mandarin via Google Translate)]
* [http://66.249.91.104/translate_c?hl=en&langpair=zh%7Cen&u=http://www.cctv.com/anchor/compere/0098/index.shtml CCTV's official Li Yong portal (in Mandarin via Google Translate)]
* [http://blog.sina.com.cn/liyong Li Yong's blog on Sina.com]
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/21/international/asia/21li.html?ex=1295499600&en=fe7d16f8f7c2a431&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss Jim Yardley (New York Times): A TV 'King' Pushes the Limits, Flashily but Gently]
* [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2006/02/07/cctvs-li-yong John Pasden (Sinosplice): CCTV's Li Yong]