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Subscribe to RSSConan O'Brien tries to exact revenge on a Chinese tv show host who's copied his opening sequence.
It’s no secret that China has an intellectual property rights problem, but recently it seems it's taken copycatting to new heights.
Over the weekend, a blogsite brought to our attention the rather impressive phenomenon of ripping off movie posters.
But one American’s had enough.
Last week, Conan O’Brien discovered that a Chinese tv program hosted by Da Peng has copied the opening sequence to his own talk show.
“Someone made us aware of it, we looked into it, and it blew my mind,” said O’Brien on his show Monday evening.
“This is a really weird show,” he added before throwing down the glove.
“For years now, China has been ripping off America with cheap knock-offs, right? Well, China, if you’re gonna rip off my show, I think I should rip off their show, don’t you? And let’s see how you like it?”
O’Brien then proceeded to lift from Da Peng’s program pop-up characters in Chinese, the sound effects, and an odd character bunny-hopping in the background, ending with chants of “USA! USA! USA!
Da Peng was not to be upstaged by O'Brien's smackdown.
Chinese tv show host Da Peng responds to Conan O'Brien's smackdown.
The Chinese host began his riposte without fanfare and an apparent humble apology: “I am Da Peng without an opening sequence. Sorry, I’ve embarrassed the Chinese people.”
But the regretful stance quickly becomes a playful joust before lapsing into a lecture--albeit a light-hearted one--about “soft power” and geopolitics.
“For many years, you Americans have tried to push your culture and values onto the entire world. You might be happy to know China has millions of netizens watching your shows and are influenced by your humor,” said Da Peng in his monologue.
“On the other hand, you are always saying, ‘Oh bull@!$%# this is all ripped off,’” he continued. “From this perspective, we’re a bit nicer. China has bought so much of your national debt. But in this show we have never made fun of you running around borrowing money from everyone.”
He concludes with his own chants of “China! China! China!”
If only all international conflicts were this entertaining.
Leave a Comment:
Hi Adrienne, I notice the video above is the Chinese-language version Tea Leaf Nation posted on its Youtube channel. Here is a link to the English version which TeaLeafNation.com has subtitled in full:
Looks like the url got blocked. Readers can click on the link for "Da Peng" above the video in this article. It will guide them to the story which has a link to the video with English subtitles.
China will always be America's soft power bitch. USA! USA!
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Conan O'Brien has to go after somebody that has lower rating then he does.
Yep, next on Conan's agenda is the Obama administration.
How do you know about the ratings? It could be a highly rated show in China.
Pathetic! Even for Conan's standards. Is it really so bad that now he has to try capture Chinese audience? Or may be the standard of his show is so low that even an upcoming show form China is a better way to promote himself. Come on Conan!!! I wonder if this will be the last season for him as a host on any TV channel in America.
PS: He probably has got an invitation from China to host a show. They pay big bucks for American celebrities (even if those celebrities are only worth a penny in America).
Well - Conan's show is a cheap knock off. He couldn't make it with the real late night talk shows - as has already been shown. I guess he'll do anything for publicity - he desperately needs it. He does have a few hundred fans that just love Coco. The thing is he is and has been so ridiculously overpaid he apparently has come to think he has talent and a career - well he does if you don't mind being unethical - spiteful and belligerent - all under the large protected tent of "comedy".
That's hillarious. And to all of you who take this seriously-go get a life! LOL!
You really do have to appreciate the irony: an American celebrity complaining because they borrowed his idea, when the USA has borrowed billions of dollars from the Chinese to maintain it's lifestyle.
Things must be pretty bad when you have to rip off OBrian's act in any length.
David you haven't been here long enough to post links. Is this the link you were aiming for?
http://www.universalsubtitles.org/en/videos/RabOS2y4nY22/url/160732/
Hi JOregon, yeah I am new to this interface. My apologies, and thanks for re-posting :)
That's a great clip with the sub titles - the Chinese host took the high road - too bad Conan couldn't have done the same.
Everything is copied here whats new all the tv shows showed on english channels here are replayed with that little pix on top right corner blocked out so no one knows what channel is was copied from hbo bbc you name it. and if you want to see any american movie just go to tom365.com and download it for free chinese have problem with fbi warnings on copy right material. you need windows 8 , auto cad ,adobe dream weaver only 10 dollars any place on the road. this is china !!!!!
The Show actually reminds me more of Laugh-In.
Ni hao, pengyou. Da Peng De Be De is hilarious! You're funny! Keep it nice, boys... play well. Keep the lawyers out, okay! Conan, you gotta go see China! Go visit him! Guaranteed awesome time!
We have over 10,000 nuclear warheads in this country and I think we should use 9,999 on China... just for a joke... it's funny!!
I've always believed 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery'. O'Brien should feel honored someone, somewhere thinks enough of his opening sequence to borrow from it.
Sheesh-- some people are never satisfied!
China has to keep loaning money to us so that we will keep buying their crap and prop up their growth!
Da sent Conan a case of coke as a piece offering. on Conans next show he opened a can drank it and thanked DA. On Das next show he came out singing a song:
Me Chinese, Me Play Joke
Me Put PeePee in Conans Coke!
lol choc rofl
Charley you are right about imitation and flattery . Personally cant stand Conan