Liu Qian's Magic Act Partially Cut from CCTV Spring Festival Gala Sparks Controversy

The 2023 Spring Festival Gala, also known as the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, came under scrutiny after viewers noticed that Chinese magician Liu Qian's opening magic act was partially cut during the gala's rebroadcast. The prestigious television event, which attracts millions of viewers every year, has been a stage for artists to showcase their talents and performances to the nation. However, this year's partial cut of Liu Qian's act sparked debates and conversations on Weibo, China's most popular social media platform.

Liu Qian's performance at the gala was a stunning feat of magic that captured the attention of the audience. As described in a tweet, the magician amazed viewers by managing to "destroy 10 billion poker cards and save a poker factory" with the help of a little boy. The act's intriguing and entertaining elements impressed many onlookers.

However, it was the rebroadcast that stirred the pot, as many users noticed that the first half of Liu Qian's performance had been edited out. Weibo users took to the platform to express their confusion and dissatisfaction with the decision to cut the magician's act. They questioned why the cut was made, speculating that it might have been due to the appearance of "AD Milk Sister" (AD钙姐), a popular milk brand model, in the latter part of the act.

In Liu Qian's magic act, the model appears with two assistants, who drink "AD Milk" during one part of the performance. The act then continues with more impressive magic tricks. Some users suggested that the cut may have been made due to concerns over advertising time or the effectiveness of the milk brand's commercial.

The controversy surrounding the cut left viewers with mixed opinions. Some commended the decision, stating that "AD Milk Sister" distracted from Liu Qian's performance, while others lamented the loss of the magician's impressive opening act. Some users even accused the gala of censorship by pointing out that the 12-second countdown before the New Year, which is considered to have high time sensitivity, was not cut.

One user humorously suggested that someone should "ask Runner Boys Studio to edit the video and move AD Milk Sister's segment to another part of the act," implying that the model's appearance could be repositioned without disrupting Liu Qian's performance. Another user, who watched the rebroadcast at a fast speed, noted that the model's appearance was a significant distraction, saying that the act was "more enjoyable without her."

On the other hand, many users expressed disappointment that such a memorable and entertaining performance was cut. They lamented the loss of the opening act, calling it the "highlight of the Spring Festival Gala" and a "must-watch" for viewers. Some users also questioned how they could secure tickets to witness the magic act live in the future.

Amidst the controversy, some users speculated that the partial cut might have been a conscious decision to avoid any potential conflicts or negative publicity surrounding the milk brand model. Despite the partial cut, Liu Qian's magic act remains one of the most talked-about moments of the 2023 Spring Festival Gala, with users continuing to discuss and debate the decision.

As the conversation surrounding the partial cut of Liu Qian's magic act continues on Weibo, it remains to be seen whether CCTV will issue an official statement addressing the public's concerns and speculations. In the meantime, the enigmatic decision to cut part of Liu Qian's act has become yet another topic of intrigue and debate during the Spring Festival season.