On October 4, when the host list for CCTV's Mid-Autumn Gala was announced, it caused an immediate uproar online. Alongside seasoned hosts like Ren Luyu, Lu Jian, and Meng Shengnan, the names of Xie Na and Hou Peicen were included. This marked Xie Na's first appearance on the prestigious stage, while Hou Peicen was returning after 12 years. As soon as the news broke, social media exploded with mixed reactions, particularly regarding Xie Na. Many people felt her lively variety show style didn’t fit the more formal tone of the gala. The comment section quickly divided into two camps: one praising the fresh approach, and the other criticizing CCTV for straying too far into entertainment.
Xie Na, however, kept a low profile. She confirmed the news on her social media but advised her team to keep quiet. Given that the event was held in her hometown of Deyang, it held special meaning for her. Shortly after the host list was revealed, debates began. Some netizens dug up old clips of Xie Na from Happy Camp, highlighting her hyperactive interactions, which some viewers felt were too unrefined for a major live broadcast. In contrast, Hou Peicen's inclusion generated less controversy, as she had gained popularity for her composed image during her 2006 appearance on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala. She made her return in a yellow dress, maintaining her signature elegance. But Xie Na’s inclusion sparked further questions about the unconventional mix of hosts. This was the first time CCTV had paired three of its own with two outsiders, and people were unsure if this setup would work.
By October 5, rehearsals began in Deyang's studio. The five hosts gathered, scripts in hand, rehearsing their parts and adjusting their timing. Xie Na was responsible for introducing local intangible cultural heritage and performing a Sichuan dialect rap. Hou Peicen, on the other hand, appeared mainly in interview segments. During rehearsals, Ren Luyu led the way, while Xie Na quickly followed suit. The process was efficient, with the director's team fine-tuning lighting and teleprompters to avoid any issues during the live broadcast. Xie Na practiced her rap several times, detailing the preparation of local dishes like mao xuewang and jiang hang mian, with a local heritage expert on hand to supervise. Hou Peicen's segments were smooth, with a steady pace in her interviews, and her demeanor exuded calm professionalism.
On the evening of October 6, the gala aired live from Deyang’s Xuan Zhu Lake. The hosts made their entrance side by side, greeted by applause as they began the program. Xie Na, dressed in red, delivered the opening remarks before introducing the cultural heritage segment. Her rap performance was met with scattered responses from the audience, and later, she took on a supporting role during Zhou Shen’s performance, providing commentary. Hou Peicen’s interviews came later, where she asked guests about their Mid-Autumn Festival stories, moving smoothly through her segments without disturbing the overall flow. The gala lasted just over two hours, with several advertisements, songs, and dance performances. Xie Na also introduced her hometown’s Sichuan cuisine, while Hou Peicen appeared during a cross-strait cultural exchange segment, discussing the theme of family reunification.
Soon after the broadcast, the online backlash began. Less than 24 hours later, on October 7, the hashtag 1"Xie Na is unfit to host the Mid-Autumn Gala1" topped the trending list. Netizens dissected clips of her interrupting Zhou Shen's performance, accusing her of ruining the musical atmosphere. Other old clips from Happy Camp resurfaced, with users commenting on her tendency to dominate scenes. Many felt that her exuberant style lowered the overall tone of the gala, with some even criticizing her red dress for being too flashy compared to Hou Peicen’s more refined yellow gown.
The controversy continued with a second trending topic: “Xie Na’s awkwardness.” Netizens dug into rehearsal footage, pointing out her nervous movements and her accent during the Sichuan dialect rap. They also criticized the rap for being too 1"local1" for a national event, suggesting it was more suitable for regional channels. The unique host lineup of “3 CCTV, 2 outsiders” was also slammed as an experimental failure, with criticisms of the uncoordinated opening and sluggish interviews. Posts mocking Xie Na flooded social media, and meme images of her froze-frame moments went viral.
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