Gặp nhau cuối năm

Gặp nhau cuối năm (lit. "Year-end gathering"), also commonly known as Táo Quân, is a Vietnamese annual TV special that airs on New Year's Eve on VTV. The show is widely popular in Vietnam, and is considered a traditional show of lunar new year on television. The show was originally a new-year special episode of VTV's famous comedic show "Gap Nhau Cuoi Tuan", but continued after Gap Nhau Cuoi Tuan ended. The main plot of the show is based on the Vietnamese folk tales of Tao Quan. "Gap Nhau Cuoi Nam" is famous for its comedic view of the problems in Vietnamese economy and society throughout the year. VFC has been producing this show for VTV since 2003. The show features some of the biggest names in comedy in Vietnam such as Quốc Khánh, Vân Dung, Quang Thắng, Tự Long, Công Lý, Xuân Bắc and so on.

Plot and format

The main plot happens in the Heaven, ruled by Ngọc Hoàng (Jade Emperor). He has two assistants, Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu (named after two stars Crux and Big Dipper) helping him managing affairs in the Earth Kingdom. There are a few other casts mentioned in the Heaven, but usually only Thiên Lôi (Thunder's God) is on screen and often has to run Heaven's errands.

Every year, Ngọc Hoàng assembles the Táo Quân (Kitchen's god) to the Heaven to report to him the affairs in Vietnam throughout the year. Unlike the original story, there could be multiple Táo, each in charge of one aspect of the country (mostly based on social issues, such as Transportation, Economy, Education, Culture or Tourism, but no politics or military or defense). The Táo are typically named after the division they are in charge of, although in 2015 they are actually named after ngũ hành (Wu Xing).

Táo report directly to Ngọc Hoàng with the presence of Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu, who often find faults in their reports and run into arguments. Ngọc Hoàng typically hears the story and make comments, but he can be sarcastic and show unexpected talents and remarks. Although most reports are done by prose, sometimes report can be told by other forms, such as dance, sing or short plays. The reports highlight the social issues in Vietnam in the year, often told in a more comedic and light hearted manner despite their original seriousness.

At the end of the assemble, all Táo gather together, and Ngọc Hoàng read the final remarks. The show ends with all the cast and MC Thảo Vân announce the happy new year greetings.

Starting from 2009, although the main plot retains the same, the show includes an alongside theme and scenario.

• In 2009, Tao Quan presented Hoa Táo, a parody of beauty competition.
• In 2011, the show was named Táo Idol with the format based on Vietnam Idol.
• In 2013, the show was designed based on The Voice of Vietnam. In addition, by order of Ngọc Hoàng, Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu switched bodies, unbeknown to Táo Quân.
• In 2014, Ngọc Hoàng caught a stomachache and could not attend the assemble. Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu had to find a lookalike, Tèo, a car security (but still acted by Quốc Khánh) and trained him to act as a temporary replacement for Ngọc Hoàng.
• In 2015, the show was based on the television show Ai là triệu phú (the Vietnamese version of Who wants to be a millionaire?) and Ơn giời cậu đây rồi (the Vietnamese version of Thank God you are here!)
• In 2016, the last part of the show featured a wheel from Chiếc nón kì diệu (Wheels of Fortune) to detect which Táo is corrupt.

Filming and Broadcasting

The show is premiered on VTV on Lunar New Year's Eve every year since its conception. From 2010 to 2013, in addition, the show was released on DVD a week before the air date. The DVD version has the full recording and is usually longer and slightly different from the TV version. However, since 2014, VTV stopped releasing DVD and started releasing the show digitally. The 2014 release was handled by CNC and the 2015 to 2017 release was distributed by VTV Digital (VTV Go). 2018 show was released exclusively on VTV's new multi-platform entertainment portal VTVGiaiTri. ^[1]

Because of its popularity, many other TV channels have copied Tao Quan's format but none of them have ever achieved the same level of success.

On YouTube, the show has achieved more than 320 million views (this includes all of the versions and performances).

The actors have about two months to prepare for the show, which occurs one week before the television air date. The show is open for public for three days, afterwards the best cuts are combined and edited to fit in the 2-hour block on television. A longer version, typically around 3 hours, is subsequently released.

Since Lunar New Year is also the busy time for Vietnamese comedians, they often have to rehearse at night time, which takes a toll on their health and personal life. For example, in 2017, Quốc Khánh (as the Emperor) lost his mother at the time of rehearsal and had to carry both the funeral as well as rehearsing. Such demanding schedule; however, don't deter the big names from making commitments throughout the show.

Cast

Fixed roles

• Quốc Khánh (Ngọc Hoàng, since 2004): ruler of Heaven. Every year, he listens to reports from Táo on matters in the Earth, or Vietnam. He worries a lot for common people and is anxious on how to improve their life and well beings.
• Công Lý (Bắc Đẩu): a feminine looking person who loves make up. Starting from 2016, following the rule of accepting transgender, Bắc Đẩu can officially declare to be a woman. "She" (refer to the character, not the actor) has softer personality than Nam Tào, although on reports matter she can be sharp and critical. She often quarrels with Nam Tào on many affairs; however, they generally work well with each other. She respects Ngọc Hoàng, but sometimes speaks behind his back.
• Xuân Bắc (Nam Tào): a strict person who manages the affairs in the Heaven. He is not afraid of harsh statements towards Táo in their reports, although he is prone of corruption and many times he has accepted bribery from Táo to let matters slide.

Recurring roles (Táo quân) Since the roles of Táo change every year, the following list goes by actor.

• Vân Dung (2003–current): she alternates in different years between Táo Y tế (Healthcare) and Táo Giáo dục (Education).
• Quang Thắng (2003–current): often enters with grand entrance. He generally takes the role of Táo Kinh tế (Economy), although sometimes he did play the role of Táo Giáo dục (Education).
• Chí Trung (2005–current): he generally takes the role of Táo Giao thông (Transportation) or equivalent.
• Tự Long (2003–current): a comedian originated from chèo, hence his acts often incorporate songs and performances. Generally he takes over the role of Táo Văn hoá (Culture).
• Minh Hằng (2005-2007, 2009, 2012-2015, 2018): she played different roles throughout the history of the show. Most notably Táo Đầu Tư (Investment) in 2006 and Táo Điện Lực (Electricity) in 2009. In 2018 show she played Táo Môi Trường (Environment).

Nonfrequent appearance

• Minh Vượng (2004–2008, 2018)
• Thành Trung (2007–2014)
• Thu Hương (2003)
• Hiệp Gà (2004, 2009, 2010, 2011): play the role of Gia Cát Dự. . He claims to be a descendant of Gia Cát Lượng (Zhuge Liang) at his divine power of prediction, although he usually predicts everything wrong.
• Phạm Bằng (2005, 2006)
• Anh Tuấn (2009)
• Bá Anh (2007–2008)
• Văn Hiệp (2006)
• Quốc Quân (2004, 2006, 2012)
• Bình Trọng (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)
• Đức Hải (2010)
• Đức Khuê (2010)
• Đỗ Duy Nam (2017-2018)
• Trung Ruồi (2017-2018)

Guest stars

• Quốc Trượng (Ngọc Hoàng, 2003 only)
• Minh Quân (2013-2016, 2018)
• Tiến Minh (2014)
• Chí Tài (2015)
• Việt Hương (2015)
• Tuấn Hưng (2015)
• Bình Minh (2016)

A screenshot from 2016 show

Episodes

Censorship

In 2009, 2 performances by Tao Dien Luc ("Electrical Manager") (played by Minh Hang), in which she was singing songs asking for government fund, were censored. One performance was completely removed from the broadcast and the other was replaced by a later re-recorded version with changes in its lyrics. In that same special, a verse (also about asking the government for money) from a song called "Lut Tu Nga Tu Duong Pho" (Flood From The Crossroads) performed by Tao Thoat Nuoc ("Drainaging Manager") was also removed from the broadcast. However, all the original uncut performances from the special were later leaked onto the internet.

In 2013, VFC & VTV were requested to edit the show to censor some of the jokes that were considered offensive and inappropriate by the Department of Arts and Performance (Vietnamese: Cục Nghệ thuật Biểu diễn or just NTBD). Because of so, the DVD production was delayed and the release came 4 days later than the planned release date.^[2]

In 2015, the Department of Arts and Performance asked VFC to submit the full script of the show to be reviewed before taping but the request was denied by VFC. Do Thanh Hai - the show's general director - strongly spoke against the department's move. To avoid censorship from NTBD, the show's taping location had to move to Studio 14 of VTV, a venue that is smaller than Viet Xo Friendship Labour Cultural Place (Vietnamese: Cung Văn hóa Lao động Hữu nghị Việt Xô), where the show had previously took place.^[3]

In 2017, some of the show's jokes were censored by VTV. However, VFC later released the original cut of the show on YouTube.

Controversies

In 2018, VFC & VTV were criticized for some offensive jokes about LBGT community and bodyshaming. The issue was met with polarized reactions but VFC & VTV remained silent.^[4][5]

References