Editor's Note: The popular Chinese dating show, “If You Are the One,” seems to have quite a following in Australia. This article, translated from the Chinese media, talks about the show's popularity in Australia and why Australians like the show. The interesting part though, is Australians seem to watch the show as a comedy or as tongue and cheek. For Chinese, while the show may have its funny moments, it is mainly a dating show, not a comedy
The Chinese dating show “Fei Cheng Wu Rao,” has unexpectedly become popular in Australia, where it is known by its English name, “If You Are the One!”
A lot of Chinese people in Australia are asked about the show by locals. “Hey, you know that the show from your country, 'If You Are the One!?” I really like to watch it!”
In fact, the program was originally a spin off of an Australian dating show called “Taken Out.” “Taken Out,” was first broadcast in 2008, but was canceled after only a month due to poor ratings.
The show, for those who have never seen it, has 24 usually reoccurring female contestants and one male hoping to win their hearts. The women get to question the potential suitor and decide whether or not they want to date him.
Australians hated “Taken Out.” They thought that the program and the guests were boring, and that the host was annoying. However, Australia sold the rights to the television show to 19 different countries, including China.
China's version was a smash hit. In its peak, “If You Are the One!” had more than 50 million viewers per episode.
Australians had no idea that their trashy canceled program had been reborn in China to such success. In 2013, “If You Are the One!” began air its episodes with simultaneously translated subtitles. The show rose to popularity overnight in Australia.
The program aired in Australia in a prime time spot, and earned high ratings. Of course, the show is not as big in Oz as it is back home in China, but it has a fierce following.
Netizen @LuoTaotao wrote online that the Australian media said, “The episode is 40 minutes of kitsch, full of incredible sound and stage design and crazy lighting effects, as well as ultra-bad 90s fashion. We Australians cannot stop watching!”
Because of the its new found Australian popularity, the show released a short documentary, called “19 Reasons to Love If You Are the One.” In the documentary, a number of Australian celebrities were asked why they liked “If You Are The One!” There are several reasons for the show's cult fandom in Australia:
1) All of the Ladies
Most of Australia's television programs are male-dominated, but “You Are the One!,” is dominated by women. The women can say what they want, pick who they want, and hate on the male guests. Because of that, for Australians, it's so cool to watch.
Australians especially enjoy the look on the faces of the rejected men:
2) The Contestants Are Hilariously Straightforward
3) The Host is Awesome
Australians really like host Meng Fei's bluntness, like the time he asked a male contestant, “Don't you understand that girls don't like you?”
4) The English Subtitles Are Funny
Sometimes the context changes with the use of English subtitles, making the show even funnier.
This makes me want to go back and re-watch a few episodes!
Source: Wenxue City
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Keywords: China If You Are the One Australia If You Are the One
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Australian people do watch bad TV. I think that it's because people (generally) are stupid. I'm a person, so I admit I'm stupid. But not that stupid I watch bad TV.
Jun 08, 2015 21:04 Report Abuse
Whoa. Sorry if I upset you there GeoHist. Sure Chinese TV is shit. American TV is shit too. PBS is good but History Channel and National Geographic? It's all sharks and Nazis. If it's not that then it's something stupid like Ice Road Truckers. Whoa they;re driving trucks on ice! Awesome!
Jun 07, 2015 12:51 Report Abuse
It's like the shows of Chinese peasants jumping out of trees and karate chopping Japanese "devils" who explode in a gib shower. To the Chinese producers, it's serious, but to us, it's friggin' hilarious.
Jun 06, 2015 12:00 Report Abuse
The funny part is, about half of the girls on it are already in relationships.
Jun 05, 2015 01:48 Report Abuse
http://www.tvcatchupaustralia.com/sbs-2/if-you-are-the-one/s6-ep31-152143 Here is the link
Jun 04, 2015 15:10 Report Abuse
It's basically like Jerry Springer... a trashy show that you can't stop watching because of how ridiculous it is... BTW - A friend of mine went on this show. He was a guy from England and didn't make it past the second round. They all hated him because they thought he was too goofy as an ESL teacher, teaching children. And because he wasn't rich enough. It was tough to watch... Classy women on that show!
Jun 04, 2015 14:25 Report Abuse
To be fair, I think Australians also probably think that it is funny because this behavior isn't part of their day to day life. If people are this greedy, stupid, and shallow in the West, they are at least smart enough to hide it. I used to think it was funny when Chinese just talked like that...until I realized that they were dead serious...and now I can't escape those attitudes.
Jun 04, 2015 19:33 Report Abuse
You will find that whenever the opportunity arises to humiliate a foreigner publicly... Chinese will do it. Especially if it is against foreign men dating Chinese women. If he met these girls in a club, chances are they would be all over him. He is a young, attractive guy... but on T.V. like this... it is a chance to make foreigners look bad. He thought it would be fun...
Jun 04, 2015 21:29 Report Abuse
I knew a guy who went on it once too. He craeted this huge fake life for himself to show that he IS NOT A TEACHER OR LIVING IN A LOFT ON TOP OF A BAR. I think he claimed he was this business manager or something. I know all this because he interviewed at my company and I couldnt hire him because he was an English teacher living in a bar. To be fair he was quite upfront about it in the interview. And all the kung fu stuff seemed to be true. He didnt make it very far on the show.... those girls can sniff out the real money.
Jun 05, 2015 14:47 Report Abuse
(... Australian media said, “The episode is 40 minutes of kitsch, full of incredible sound and stage design and crazy lighting effects, as well as ultra-bad 90s fashion. We Australians cannot stop watching!”). A trash show turned into a freak show after changing the performers into chinese, that does deserve a couple of good laughs. lol
Jun 04, 2015 14:13 Report Abuse
Well, there are plenty of shows where white people do stupid things to be laughed at (like Jackass), so it's only fair that yellow people get their turn.
Jun 06, 2015 11:58 Report Abuse
Since I never said they were exactly the same, your comment is entirely non-sequitur.
Jun 07, 2015 16:23 Report Abuse
It's popular in Australia because Australia is full of Chinese.
Jun 04, 2015 13:12 Report Abuse
Well, mate I can tell you that most Australians are not raving about it. Most Aussies couldn't care less about a stupid Chinese dating show. The only people who watch it are Chinese Australians. Are you even Australian? My guess is no, based on your thoughtless comment.
Jun 05, 2015 00:27 Report Abuse
Why such a bitter person about 4% of the people that are overflowing Australia? I am just waiting for your "i'm not racist but...." comment. Where i am from is not an issue. I wouldn't tell you either way, as it isn't important but i am very well connected with Australia.
Jun 05, 2015 00:47 Report Abuse