As dialect fades, Shanghai sitcom to start

A scene from the new Shanghai dialect sitcom "Haha Restaurant" shows veteran comedians Yao Yong'er (left) and Li Jiusong (center).

Shanghai dialect sitcoms used to flourish on local TV screens and influenced generations of people with their humor, sarcasm and originality. Many classics reside in the memory of local people, such as "Old Uncle," "Shanghai Story" and "The Black Teahouse."

However, in recent years there have been very few Shanghai dialect programs on radio or TV. They are fading because of the nationwide "Speak Mandarin" campaign and relevant regulation from the State Administration of Radio and Television to standardize the language on provincial satellite TV.

But the situation will change next month when a new original Shanghai dialect sitcom, "Haha Restaurant," is set to debut. The 30-minute sitcom will be aired daily on the local Drama Channel at 6:30pm starting September 1.

Yao Yuan, producer of the sitcom, says Shanghai dialect programs still have a big market. The "Old Uncle" series, which has been rebroadcast for four years, retains high viewership.

"Such sitcoms appeal to both Shanghai natives and new Shanghainese," Yao says. "Typical Shanghai culture and lifestyle presented in the shows are echoed by the natives, and they are also engaging to the new Shanghainese who want to learn the dialect to quickly merge into the life here."

Yao adds that they are also inspired by the sitcom star Zhao Benshan, who has developed a series of entertainment products based on northern Chinese dialects and cultures. They hope that "Haha Restaurant" is just the beginning of a new collaboration.

"Shanghai used to be an important platform for southern theaters and cultures, but now the decline of local dialect also threatens the traditional local theater, such as Shanghai farce and Huju Opera," he says.

The sitcom is about two brothers vying to be the heir to a restaurant that has gone through tough times but then emerged from it. They try all means to win the competition. Most scenes are set in the restaurant, and the show features a variety of funny stories.

Some of the year's hottest trends and topics are also included in the plot, such as the huge popularity of the South Korean idol drama "My Love From the Star."

Different from former Shanghai dialect sitcoms that were more like televised episodes of Shanghai farce, the new production makes much more use of different camera angles and stunts.

Xu Ziyan, a retired Chinese teacher in her 60s, says it's urgent for today's children to learn the language of their hometown.

"Though my granddaughter understands some Shanghainese, she can't pronounce correctly or speak some simple words," Xu says. "The sitcom will be a chance for her to learn about the dialect and the diversity of Chinese culture."

Xu and her friends mention an array of TV shows and comedies in Shanghainese, including "Stories by Ah Qing" and "Three Happy Brothers." But these shows cater mostly to middle-aged and elderly people. They hope that the new sitcom can bring new vitality to this genre and attract a younger audience.

Children and teenagers of today have little chance to practice Shanghai dialect since Mandarin is required in schools and kindergartens. Many local kids don't speak the dialect even at home. Many parents don't think it's a big deal because more time can be saved for the children to learn English and other subjects.