Chapter 67: Talk Show

  Although the updates at night are not very timely, I still persisted, so here's a shameless request to all book friends: I hope you can give me more support, your support is my motivation, and I hope readers will collect and recommend more!

  "Boss, this is an invitation letter from the WLS TV talk show." On the second day after Song Tang returned from New York, George came to Song Tang's office with a delicate invitation letter as soon as Song Tang arrived at the company and said to him.

  "Talk show?" Song Tang took over George's injured invitation letter, flipped through it, furrowed his brow, and said with some confusion.

  "Yes, boss, this was sent over yesterday by the people from WLS TV's talk show, but you weren't here yesterday. As the most famous talk show group in the US, they have an audience of over 20 million every week, and WLS TV's talk show is broadcast to more than a dozen countries around the world. If possible, I hope boss can participate!"

  The origin of talk shows can be traced back to 18th century England. However, it was in the United States that talk shows truly developed. In the 20th century, with the advent of radio and people's enthusiasm for public gatherings, more and more people turned their attention to discussing through this new medium, which also catalyzed the birth of talk shows. Unlike today, most talk shows at that time were one-way lectures, where an expert expressed his views to the audience without any participation from them. Starting from 1933, many new forms of talk shows emerged, and audiences had the opportunity to actively participate in discussions. At the same time, the focus of talk shows was often placed on some widely concerned social issues. Since the 1980s, talk shows have become a major fashion trend, and their influence on society cannot be underestimated. In the United States, various talk show programs account for 40% of the total TV programming.

  The Oprah Winfrey Show, which aired on WLS-TV in Chicago, was the highest-rated television program of its kind and was widely syndicated from 1986 to 2011. It was also the longest-running daytime talk show in U.S. history. The show was renewed through 2010-11 but ended its run on May 25, 2011.

  "Are you sure about tomorrow night, George?" Song Tang asked after some thought.

  "Yes, boss!" George said.

  Upon hearing George's affirmative answer, Song Tang couldn't help but furrow his brow and then said: "The day after tomorrow evening, time-wise there isn't a problem, but isn't the headquarters of WLS TV station in Chicago? That would be a bit troublesome."

  George heard Song Tang's words and knew his concerns, couldn't help but chuckle, then said to Song Tang: "Hehe, boss, although the headquarters of WLS TV station is in Chicago, but you don't have to go to Chicago specifically for Oprah's talk show invitation."

  "Oh, is that so, George? What's all this about?" Song Tang asked, flipping the exquisite invitation card in his hand back and forth.

  "It's like this, boss," George explained to Song Tang with a smile. "The Oprah talk show has staff in Los Angeles too, and the interview can be done entirely in LA if the boss really wants to go to Chicago headquarters, of course that's okay too."

  After listening to George's words, Song Tang couldn't help but look at George who was standing beside him with a smile on his face and joking around. Song Tang thought for a moment, Oprah's talk show interview was held in the evening and wouldn't interfere with his own schedule. Moreover, participating in such a program would only bring benefits to himself, not harm. After figuring this out, Song Tang let George agree to it.

  Time flew by and soon it was time for Song Tang's scheduled appearance on Oprah Winfrey's talk show. That evening, after finishing dinner early, Song Tang followed George to the location of the Oprah Winfrey Show team in Los Angeles. When Song Tang arrived, it wasn't yet time for him to go on stage, so he chatted with some of the staff members who were present. They were all very excited to meet Song Tang, a well-known director, and many of them were fans of his work. Song Tang signed autographs and took photos with them, and through their conversation, he learned why the Oprah Winfrey Show team had a special location in Los Angeles. As it turned out, since the show was one of the most famous talk shows in America, WLS TV invited many Hollywood stars for interviews every year. However, if each guest had to travel all the way to Chicago, it would be very inconvenient. Therefore, WLS TV set up a new location near Hollywood in Los Angeles.

  About half an hour later, it was time for Song Tang to go on stage. Seeing this, Song Tang waved his hand at the crowd, indicating that he should leave. The crowd also knew the purpose of Song Tang's arrival, so Song Tang quickly followed the staff to the scene of the talk show column. However, it wasn't until then that he discovered that the host of tonight's talk show column was actually Oprah Winfrey, known as the Queen of Talk Shows.

  As for this, Song Tang was a little surprised, but Oprah Winfrey, as a black woman, is indeed very admirable. Oprah doesn't have an enviable appearance or a coveted background. On the contrary, she had a childhood that's not worth recalling, but her difficult experiences didn't make her lose the courage to pursue progress. Until now, Oprah has become one of the most influential women in the world. Song Tang deeply admires this extraordinary woman. This year, approaching 40, although youth is no longer on her side, Oprah's work enthusiasm remains undiminished. People still often see Oprah's figure on TV.

  "Oh, my god! I didn't expect the world-renowned director to be so young. I didn't believe it before, but now you're truly amazing. Welcome to the talk show, Song Tang!" Oprah couldn't help but exclaim as she saw Song Tang walk up to the stage in formal attire.

  Upon hearing Oprah's welcoming applause, Song Tang couldn't help but secretly praise: "No wonder she's a veteran host, opening her mouth and immediately giving people a good impression." Although Song Tang had never participated in a talk show program before, he was not unfamiliar with the procedures. Seeing Oprah, as the host, walking towards him, he smiled and said: "Hehe, I didn't expect tonight's host to be you, I think tonight's program will definitely be very exciting!"

  "Haha, I didn't think you'd actually joke around, but tonight's show is really going to be something to look forward to because we've all been waiting for you for a long time, Song...I don't know if I can call you that?" Oprah said with a chuckle as she had Song Tang sit down in the chair on stage.

  Song Tang glanced at the camera in front of him, then shrugged his shoulders towards Oprah and said, "You've called me that, what else can I say?"

  "Alright, Song, I think you're still under 20 this year." As a host who has hosted talk shows for a long time, Oprah seemed very casual at this moment, just like in an ordinary chat.

  "As a matter of fact, I just turned eighteen this year, to be exact, eighteen years and five months and two days." Song Tang said with a smile.

  "Really, I have no idea where you got such rich life experiences at the age of less than 19. Did you complete the scripts for these films by yourself?" Upon hearing that Song Tang was not yet 19 years old, even Oprah couldn't help but be shocked. After all, the richness of one's life experience is not something that can be achieved simply by being excellent. The film scripts written by Song Tang indeed required very rich life experiences to accomplish.

  "Haha, I know it's hard to believe, even I myself find it hard to believe that this is something I've completed. In fact, these chaotic thoughts often appear in my mind, and at those times I think, if only I could turn them into a movie. So I started creating, and it ended up like this." Song Tang said with a half-joking tone in response to Oprah's astonished words.

  "You're really enviable." Oprah gazed at Song Tang with a hint of envy, "Now some people say you're a genius director, while others say you're like a shooting star that flashes by without being seen. What do you think about these comments?" After finishing her sentence, Oprah's eyes remained fixed on Song Tang.

  After listening to Oprah's words, Song Tang smiled slightly and said: "In fact, this world has never lacked geniuses, it's just that no one has discovered them yet. And I'm just a little luckier than others. As for those who say I'm like a meteor that flashes by, I think time will prove everything."

  "Song, your first film 'Vulgaria' has already won the Golden Lion at the 49th Venice Film Festival, I think we should congratulate you now!" Oprah said.

  "Thank you! I think this is just the beginning!" Song Tang said with a confident expression.

  "You're certainly confident," Oprah continued.

  "Hehe, many people say so." Song Tang smiled and said.

  "By the way, your film "The Shawshank Redemption" has basically finalized its box office earnings, ultimately grossing $395 million worldwide. I wonder how you feel about it now."

  "To be honest, it's a bit regrettable." After hearing Oprah's words, Song Tang said with feigned regret, "I think no matter how excellent the films I'll shoot in the future are, 'The Shawshank Redemption' will be one of my most artistically colored films. Originally, I thought the box office could be even higher, unfortunately! However, it's okay, thinking about it again, I think he should be able to reach my expected standard!"

  "My God! Aren't you satisfied yet?" Oprah exclaimed.

  "Well, how can I put it, I think it would be better if its box office exceeded 400 million!" Song Tang said with a feigned innocence.

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