The WSJ reports,"Mr. Lorre, who also created other well-known shows like “Two and a Half Men” and “Dharma & Greg” has become well known for the “vanity cards” he posts at the end of shows, in which he writes about everything from current events to personal issues. In the most recent card that appeared at the end of an episode of “The Big Bang Theory” that aired on May 1, 2014 he sarcastically lambasted the Chinese government:
CHUCK LORRE PRODUCTIONS, #456The government of China has decided that “The Big Bang Theory” is not appropriate for viewing. I have to assume there was some sort of formal process involved in this decision. In all likelihood, a gaggle of communists sat in a darkened room and watched a few episodes. I like to think they took notes that were later used to formulate an official document that detailed the corrosive cultural effects caused by the shenanigans of Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Wolowitz, Koothrappali, Amy and Bernadette. I like to think that during these screenings one of them laughed out loud and was promptly sent to a re-education camp on the outskirts of Urumqi. I like to think one of them was reassured by how often the characters on the show eat Chinese takeout. I like to think there’s a Chinese word for shenanigans. Regardless, the whole affair makes me very happy. The overlords of 1.3 billion people are afraid of our sitcom. Exactly what we were going for!
It’s not clear whether authorities will get Mr. Lorre’s sarcasm, or instead take his note as a confirmation of the devious intent of U.S. screenwriters and the shows and films they produce. Given the opacity of the Chinese government, it isn’t even clear that Mr. Lorre’s show was taken down due to concern about the content within the show.
Instead, what could be happening is a simple land grab by state broadcaster China Central Television, or CCTV. Earlier this month, a company formerly associated with Chinese state-run broadcaster China Radio International said on its website it had been hired by CCTV to create a cleaned up translation of “The Big Bang Theory.”
That could mean that the reason for “The Big Bang Theory” coming down is more commercial than political, as CCTV may simply be using its political connections to ensure it gets the benefits of being the only one to broadcast the massively popular show.
Mr. Lorre didn’t respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Warner Brothers, which produces the show, declined to comment.
Like his show, Mr. Lorre’s message was a big hit online in China, with many on the Weibo social-media service reposting an image of the text with a translation beneath. Also like his show, the message was blocked by authorities, though users linked to websites with the message and continued to comment on it.
