Review and analysis of the past, present and future of American talk shows in China based on 'The Daily Show' experience

Chinese television programs have been drawing inspiration from their counterparts in America since the founding of the state television network China Central Television (CCTV) in 1958. This is especially true for the development of talk shows in China. Against the backdrop of political and economic reform in the 1990s, a steady stream of American talk show programs was imported, then adapted for the Chinese audience, starting with the Chinese version of The Oprah Winfrey Show - called Tell It as It Is - in 1996, which marked the beginning of a new era.;Recent years have seen a new cycle of importation of American talk shows: Thanks to the less-regulated Internet and with the help of volunteer translators, a number of American talk shows, particularly the late-night and news satire sub-genre, were introduced to China through the Internet and have attracted a growing online follower base. Meanwhile, programs of similar format have mushroomed in China both on television and on the Internet.;The following thesis will (1) explore how American talk shows influence the Chinese audience by analyzing the experience of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the most popular American talk show in China; and (2) assess the extent to which such influence may be instrumental in creating a more favorable environment for domestically produced talk shows in China.