Auntie Bai hosts own show as 'Chinese Oprah'

• Source: Global Times
• [10:10 July 07 2010]
• Comments

Bai Wanqing makes a guest appearance on the television show Star Charity Night in March. Photo: CFP

By Zheng Yunying

Better known as "Auntie Bai" by Chinese, Bai Wanqing debuted her own talk show last night with TV actress Jin Qiaoqiao making a guest appearance, opening a new outlet for audience viewers to turn to for an entertaining look into the social problems of Chinese families.

Recently dubbed by Chinese media as "the next Chinese Oprah," after famous television talk show host Oprah Winfrey, the host interviewed Jin about her indecent exposure that came after she was found to be sleeping around with famous celebrities.

The premiere episode also included gambling confessions from a divorced man who was seeking forgiveness from his wife by making a public appeal on Bai's talk show being aired on Shanghai Entertainment Channel.

Bai, 60, a Shanghai native, who now serves as a representative of the National People's Congress, rose to fame on the show Old Uncle, which started in 2008. Her main role on the show is to act as a mediator for disputing parties.

She carries this and years of experience from community work in Jing'an district neighborhoods to her new venture, where she hopes to make a difference in the lives of everyday Chinese people.

"It's my job to listen to people, to see what is wrong with their relationships with others, and help them cope with problems," Bai told the Global Times Tuesday before her show aired. "I hope that people will not only like my new talk show, but also be encouraged to share their problems with me."

Bai, however, shied away from the media likening her to American celebrity Oprah Winfrey.

"It is a compliment, but the truth is that we are very different," she said. "Oprah can have a chat with US President Barack Obama. Apparently, I can't.

"She majored in journalism, whereas my knowledge of hosting a talk show comes from personal experience."

Still, Yin Qingyi, chief producer of the talk show, said that the two share a lot of common characteristics.

"They both have a grass-roots approach and have stuck their name to fame by helping ordinary people," said Yin. "Their warm personalities can be compared; both have burst into tears in front of the camera without being afraid to express their true feelings.

"They are both homely-looking, and their words are straight forward," she added. "Above all, they both have a special charismatic charm that audiences love."