Born in 1975, Han has always been crazy about Chinese history, particularly the period between the 10th and 13th centuries. After writing a few articles on the topic he began styling himself an expert in the field. One of his teachers was invited a couple of months ago to give lectures by the CCTV's "Lecture Room." Owing to a prior arrangement the professor had to decline and suggested Han take his place. But CCTV rejected Han for reasons of insufficient scholarship and not having published any works. Han was undaunted. Having heard that he could get on the program by passing an exam, he applied, only to be refused again. In July 2008 the tenacious Han submitted a video of a lecture he had given on the history of that period which cost him all his savings of RMB 30,000. But it received the most humiliating rejection of all. The heartbroken young man then resorted to the Internet. His video broadcast got off to a slow start, scoring just 700 clicks in half a month. But as various discrepancies on CCTV's "Lecture Room" came to light, audiences became disenchanted with the program, and Han's shanzhai edition shot to fame.

   "All I wanted was the right to speak," Han said. "Why should this type of program be the exclusive reserve of a select few who deny me the right to share my knowledge?"

Shi Mengqi, planner of the shanzhai edition of Spring Festival eve gala. The slogan on the van reads, "Shanzhai Edition of the Spring Festival Eve Gala will challenge CCTV."                            Uncriedited photos by China Foto Press

   Challenging the CCTV Spring Festival Eve party was for Shi Mengqi equivalent to Don Quixote's windmill attack. This spectacular celebration comprising dance, song, cross talk and general all-round entertainment has been a CCTV staple for more than 20 years. But the program has become stale and predictable and frankly begs new input.

   IT worker Shi Mengqi, 36, is confident that his shanzhai edition and the CCTV show will be simultaneously broadcast on Spring Festival eve. Public opinion confirms that the CCTV offering has lost its original luster, largely owing to performers on it being limited to a select few, thus excluding many of China's talented artists. The 10-member crew of Shi's shanzhai edition is now poised to mastermind the necessary Internet technology, program inspection, sponsorship and shooting location for their shanzhai Spring Festival gala.

   Mr. Ding is among the ten shanzhai crew members and has "multiple resources for the shanzhai show." Apart from being both able an actor and singer, he also has the last word on editing the program. "Originality comes first," he said, "because that's what CCTV lacks." He has received over 300 sketches.

   Two of the scripts sent in to Shi were written by Mr. Wang of Shandong, who specializes in comic skits and has produced 53 works. "I'm very much in favor of Shi Mengqi," Wang said. The theme of both the skits he submitted to the shanzhai show is that of farmers celebrating the Spring Festival. They are presently under rehearsal, and Wang is confident they will be selected.

   Crew member Ms Zhou is in charge of recruitment, and has registered the names of 300 people wishing to participate in the production, which actually only needs around 100.

   But as the Shi Mengqi crew gets ready to shoot, similar shanzhai productions are incubating in both Hunan and Shandong provinces. There are undisputed media reports, however, that this year the CCTV Spring Festival party will have more of a shanzhai flavor. Rather than be drawn into the shanzhai game CCTV intends to liven up the show by extending its performance showcase beyond stock Spring Festival celebrities to include shanzhai stars, according to a reliable source.

   "People at the grassroots level within a modern society where expanded economy allows greater freedom of speech are more inclined to rebel against the privileged few. No longer willing to accede to the moral standards laid down by their social superiors, they refuse to be told how to behave, and demand their cultural say and the right to their own values and tastes. This is a social trend that shanzhai epitomizes," a veteran sociologist concluded.