"Don't worry, this time no one will dare to point fingers at my show again."
Gong Tao said confidently.
When he first resigned from Hunan Satellite TV, many television stations had called him, inviting him.
However, the main reason he hesitated for so long was that he did not want to encounter the same situation as with Hunan Satellite TV.
Even if the offered salary was not as high as Hunan Satellite TV's, he was willing as long as he was given absolute creative freedom.
Therefore, after careful consideration, he finally decided to join Jiangnan Satellite TV.
Because the director of Jiangnan Satellite TV personally called him and promised not to interfere with his program recordings.
Moreover, Jiangnan Satellite TV was one of the few television stations in Longguo that could compete with Hunan Satellite TV.
So, Gong Tao's choice of Jiangnan Satellite TV also had the purpose of creating a super hit show to show his old employer, and to vent his anger!
"May I be so bold as to ask, Director Gong, what type of variety show are you planning to shoot this time?"
Wang Shu couldn't help but ask curiously.
"It's still my old line of work, music variety shows, probably a replica of 'I Am a Singer'!"
Gong Tao replied after thinking for a moment.
Because he himself came from the music talent show industry, and his connections were mostly in the music scene.
He hadn't done many variety shows in other fields, and besides, he had just switched jobs, so he could only do a steady variety show.
"I think it's a bit risky. It's hard to succeed without innovation!"
After hearing Gong Tao's answer, Wang Shu couldn't help but analyze.
Wang Shu had some research on music variety shows.
The show "I Am a Singer" had already been produced by Hunan Satellite TV. If Gong Tao replicated it, it would be difficult to make it successful again.
Unless they spent a lot of money to find guests with higher popularity and stronger abilities, it would be difficult to impact Hunan Satellite TV's "I Am a Singer."
Moreover, this type of format might impress sponsors the first time, but it wouldn't be as effective the second time.
"What should I do? My proposal has already been submitted, reviewed, and approved. Filming is scheduled to start the day after tomorrow."
Hearing Wang Shu's words, Gong Tao's heart sank. He suddenly realized the seriousness of the matter.
After all, he had been filled with anger before and hadn't seriously thought about it.
Now, with Wang Shu's reminder, he remembered that copying an existing show could easily lead to accusations of plagiarism. Even if he was the director of that show, he didn't own the copyright.
The new show would then be directly labeled as counterfeit, which would be extremely destructive for a newly launched variety show.
"I have a suggestion. I don't know if I should say it!"
Wang Shu said calmly.
"Go ahead, you can say anything!"
Gong Tao was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. When he heard Wang Shu say he had an idea, he said eagerly.
"I think the format of the show can be changed. For example, all the performing singers could be masked, and they would sign confidentiality agreements before recording, ensuring that all singers guarantee not to reveal their identities!"
Wang Shu recalled a music reality show on Earth that once surpassed "I Am a Singer" in viewership, "King of Masked Singer," and said to the person on the phone.
"The identities of all contestants are kept secret, and the audience and judges cannot discern their true identities. All scoring standards are based solely on their singing voices. This design is brilliant!"
After hearing Wang Shu's idea, Gong Tao pondered it carefully and his eyes lit up.
It had to be said that Wang Shu's idea was indeed excellent. Just by changing the way singers appeared, the show's level was significantly improved.
Moreover, it was fairer than the scoring method of "I Am a Singer" because it would be entirely based on the singers' voices, without any personal emotions involved.
"Wang Shu, your idea is brilliant!"
Gong Tao couldn't help but praise Wang Shu. This young man kept refreshing his understanding of things.
From the beautiful traditional Chinese style song "Blue and White Porcelain" to the masked variety show format now.
He really didn't know how much more stuff was packed into Wang Shu's head.
"Should I be paid some copyright fee then?"
Hearing the praise, Wang Shu teased directly.
"You won't be shortchanged. I'll personally pick you up at the airport tomorrow!"
Gong Tao readily agreed and even planned to personally welcome Wang Shu the next day.
...
After settling things with Gong Tao, Wang Shu directly called Xiao Su.
He told Xiao Su to fly to Hangzhou the next day.
Xiao Su, who received the call, was both surprised and delighted. She had been hesitating for the past few days.
However, upon receiving Wang Shu's call at this moment, she officially decided to follow Wang Shu from now on.
At least by following Wang Shu, no one would dare to bully her casually anymore.
Afterward, Xiao Su took out her resignation letter and handed it to her manager's desk before leaving the company.
The next day, Hangzhou Airport.
Wang Shu arrived first. After exiting the airport, he indeed saw Gong Tao waiting outside the airport in his car.
When Gong Tao saw Wang Shu, he was very happy and walked up to put his arm around Wang Shu's shoulder.
"Old comrade, you're being too impetuous!"
Wang Shu was surprised that the usually stern old Gong Tao would behave so casually with him.
"What old comrade? I'm only a few years older than you. I'm also young!"
Gong Tao was very dissatisfied with Wang Shu calling him an old comrade. He was only in his forties, how could he be old?
"Let's go! I've already booked a restaurant for a welcome dinner!"
Gong Tao said.
"Wait a moment, I have a friend with me!"
Wang Shu said calmly, looking towards the airport exit.
"Someone else?"
Gong Tao looked at Wang Shu with a puzzled expression.
"Xiao Su!"
Wang Shu said directly.
"Xiao Su? The one from Hunan Satellite TV? You little rascal, you've already got this girl?"
Gong Tao took a moment to react.
When he was at Hunan Satellite TV, there was an intern named Xiao Su.
He didn't expect that in just a few days, Wang Shu had already poached an intern from Hunan Satellite TV.
"You're thinking too much, I'm simply asking her to be my assistant!"
Wang Shu explained when he saw Gong Tao misunderstand.
Gong Tao gave Wang Shu a knowing look and then stood by the car with Wang Shu to wait.
About ten minutes later, Xiao Su came out of the airport exit. Gong Tao then took them both to a famous restaurant in Hangzhou for a welcome banquet.
Afterward, he arranged accommodation for Wang Shu.
Xiao Su's room was arranged directly next to Wang Shu's.
Since the program was scheduled to start recording the next day, Gong Tao disappeared after taking them to the hotel.
The assistant Xiao Su, feeling bored, went to Wang Shu's room to chat with him.
"Boss, why are you on such good terms with Director Gong now?"
Xiao Su asked curiously, looking at Wang Shu sitting in front of the computer and typing diligently.
"Good? Perhaps he's quite generous!"
Wang Shu turned his head and looked at Xiao Su.
Because in Wang Shu's opinion, anyone who gives him money is his good friend.
Gong Tao was willing to pay him a high appearance fee, so he was on good terms with Gong Tao, it was that simple.
"Generous?"
Xiao Su was confused by Wang Shu's answer.
She had no idea about the deal between her boss and Gong Tao.
...
Meanwhile, at Hunan Satellite TV, it was the broadcast time for the new episode of "I Am a Singer" that night.
With the preview from the previous week, before this episode even aired, Hunan Satellite TV's real-time ratings ranking had already secured a spot in the top five.
And at the end of the show, when Wang Shu's ranking was revealed, the ratings plummeted.
The Zhao Director of the variety show department, who had been confident, immediately had a darkened expression.
Yesterday, he had confidently assured the station director that the prime time slot this week would definitely win the ratings championship.
But now, it had dropped from the second position to dozens of places down.
He was also very puzzled. This program now had a national idol member joining, so the ratings should have gone up.
However, the current situation was truly baffling.
...
Meanwhile, Weibo had become lively again.
The hashtag of Wang Shu being eliminated had directly climbed to the trending searches.
Wu Yifan had already been waiting on Weibo to watch the show.
He just didn't expect that Wang Shu would have such high popularity.
Even after being eliminated, he could still trend on hot searches.
On the contrary, he himself, despite participating in this variety show, didn't even have a trending search term.
"This show is really speechless. Wang Shu is eliminated, and Wu Yifan can get first place. Are they crazy?"
"I don't understand why a song with no artistic merit can win first place. The music industry in Longguo is really hopeless."
"I originally thought Wang Shu was the savior of the Longguo music industry, but now even Wang Shu has been eliminated!"
At this moment, under the Weibo hot search topic, many fans were sighing.
They couldn't believe that Hunan Satellite TV would operate in such a disgusting manner.
After all, anyone with eyes could see the inside story, yet Hunan Satellite TV's promotional poster still claimed that an international top idol had won first place.
At this time, Wu Yifan directly called Director Zhao, planning to invite him out for a drink.
...
"Old Zhao, you're an old hand at the station. How do you explain this situation?"
In the station director's office, the station director looked at Director Zhao with a stern tone.
And Director Zhao lowered his head.
"This situation this time is mainly due to that guy Gong Tao! It's all his fault for resigning halfway through the program recording!"