From opera to Oprah

The other day we were invited by our hosts to attend a talk show taping at the CCTV headquarters. Some of us jumped at the chance to be a part of such an experience. We had no clue what we were in for, but we knew it would be entertaining for sure.

We arrived at the studio, where we had a boxed dinner served by the show's crew. The dressing rooms were not quite so glamorous as those we see on TV at home. Then we were ushered onto the set, where we had to take the labels off of our water. We were also given headsets so we could have the show translated to English.

The host of the show was very likeable and funny. He had the oldest Olympic volunteer (80 years old) on as a guest, as well as one of the managers of the BOCOG. He involved the audience (almost all Olympic volunteers) in skits to showcase what we were learning in our training, including mock interviews and interacting with fussy 'athletes'. Several members of the Purdue crew took part in that, and it was really funny.

Since there was a slight delay in everything being translated, it always felt like we were laughing later than those who could understand Chinese when there was a joke. But it was still a lot of fun. There were also two kids from a poor part of the country who were blind and deaf and wanted to help with the Paralympics, which will be held here in September. It was so touching, and it really felt like an episode of Oprah.

This feeling escalated at the end of the show, when they passed out gifts to all of us in the audience, just like the 'Favorite Things' episode. Don't get too excited -- I got a picture frame of an ancient emperor guy, not a BMW-- but it was really, really nice of them to think of us. Some people got wine bottle covers in the shape of Chinese silk dresses, and I really liked those.

Well, now I can say I've been to a Chinese talk show. Talk about a cultural experience!