China has ripped off The Book of Mormon

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/1/17 at 8:59pm

This is one of my favorite YouTube channels, and it was interesting to see this on here. I wonder what show they'll copy next. 

https://youtu.be/hhYQZwzINRc

Updated On: 2/1/17 at 08:59 PM

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 2/1/17 at 9:05pm

OK. 

[trpguyy]

Posted: 2/1/17 at 9:11pm

What a terrible performance. The Chinese power workers did a great job though.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/1/17 at 9:11pm

GreasedLightning said: "OK. 

 

"

I'm glad to see you're interested in this development. OK?!

[ethan231h]

Posted: 2/1/17 at 10:11pm

just please stop Jorge

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 12:36am

Wonder what would happen if South Korean people were even half as reactive to millions of knockoffs (or "parodies" of Gangnam Style on YouTube...

Updated On: 2/2/17 at 12:36 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 12:56am

It's pronounced JI-NAH

[Gabby Hayes]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 1:43am

I'm beginning to like the Chinese.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 8:54am

I like Chinese.
I like Chinese.
They only come up to your knees,
Yet they're always friendly, and they're ready to please.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 3:16pm

So glad to see so many people are serious about this topic. 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 3:23pm

quizking101 said: "It's pronounced JI-NAH

 

"

Testing! Testing! JI-NAH! JI-NAH! YUUUGE JI-NAH!

[trpguyy]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 3:44pm

Call_me_jorge said: "So glad to see so many people are serious about this topic. 

 

"

It's not a serious topic. What did you expect?

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 4:02pm

I'm actually very thankful for this thread. Because one of the responses inspired me to watch all of Alec Baldwin's Trump clips on SNL, and they gave me some much-needed laughs.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 9:50pm

trpguyy said: "Call_me_jorge said: "So glad to see so many people are serious about this topic. 

 

"

It's not a serious topic. What did you expect?

 

"

Pretty sure a high profile country stealing copyrighted material for the soul reason to enhance their propaganda agenda is serious, especially when it's a country that advocates against freedom of speech and press. Check your status.

Why can't this board just have a discussion without mocking the op. Smh. 

[trpguyy]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 10:12pm

It's actually not serious, nor does it warrant serious discussion. Are you familiar with the term "parody?"

Updated On: 2/2/17 at 10:12 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 10:24pm

trpguyy said: "It's actually not serious, nor does it warrant serious discussion. Are you familiar with the term "parody?"

 

"

It's not parody when it's being used as propaganda. Did you even read my message? China didn't steal copyrighted to make fun of the Book of Mormon. They stole it enhance their own anti free speech and press government. But like you said, there is nothing serious about that at all.

[theatregoer3]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 10:30pm

If you're looking for a serious politically-minded response then you're stirring the pot on the wrong board. 

 

Also so hard to take you seriously because sometimes you start the most innocuous threads... This habit has worn out its welcome. But maybe I'm alone in my opinion.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 2/2/17 at 10:32pm

"Making fun of" is not a requirement of parody. Not that a US legal definition matters in this instance. In case you have not noticed, China does what they want. Parodying a song from a musical is about the least serious thing they could do. What kind of reaction were you expecting from this thread?

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 2/3/17 at 8:44am

First, I will say that based on what very little there is to see, it looks like parody to me.

Second, the link that the OP posted appears to be a satirical news show similar to The Daily Show or The Colbert Report, which is not a particularly great or reliable source. Based on that, this does not seem like something that warrants a serious discussion. It's clearly a guy making comical observations about something that is meant to be a comical parody or rip-off.

[mpkie]

Posted: 2/3/17 at 11:40pm

Haha it's hilarious. I had to go dig up the show to find the clip without all that guy's yapping (you can google Sichuan Electric Power Book of Mormon).

"Electricity's here/arrived!" Bahaha. So hilarious yet so creepy! Yes, it's a total straight rip-off, it does not acknowledge itself as a parody or as being inspired by anything else (i.e. BOM).

[trpguyy]

Posted: 2/3/17 at 11:58pm

mpkie said: "it does not acknowledge itself as a parody or as being inspired by anything else (i.e. BOM)."

Also not a requirement of parody, for those keeping score at home. But I will search out the full performance, that guy and his attempts at humor were really killing the vibe. 

[oknazevad]

Posted: 2/4/17 at 10:09am

Parody does not need to mocking the original source material (hell, most of Weird Al's parody songs have lyrics that have nothing to do with the original song at all). Nor does it need to acknowledge the original material, either (though it's often considered a courtesy). So, there's nothing here at all. Try again to generate outrage based on something worthwhile. 

Updated On: 2/4/17 at 10:09 AM

[John Adams]

Posted: 2/4/17 at 11:36am

Call_me_jorge said: "Pretty sure a high profile country stealing copyrighted material for the soul reason to enhance their propaganda agenda is serious,"

I believe the correct spelling of that word is "Seoul"... Just kidding! (sole)

When I was younger (my college years, before the internet), there were specific jobs in the entertainment field that were sought-after because the pay was comparatively high, padded your resume, and were more 'fun' than 'work'. Theme park shows and cruise ships fit that category.

There were also bookings called, "Industrials". That was when a well-heeled corporation would hire singer/dancers to rehearse and perform a very short performance meant for a large audience of its employees (i.e. conventions, company-wide meetings, etc.). The performance was meant to showcase whatever new products or ideas the company was rolling out to the public or its employees. The wealthier the company, the better the pay for performers, so Industrials were a pretty good gig (depending on what you booked).

The songs were not always original compositions though, and I can recall doing many shows where popular songs were used with re-written lyrics that fit the company's purpose ('propaganda', if you will). Keep in mind, too that this was before the Internet and YouTube, so performances meant for a closed audience usually stayed closed. No big deal.

I see the situation you note in the OP as being just another example of an Industrial. Granted, it might be country-wide, but that's the kind of thing China does - and has done for a very long time. And it's also the kind of thing we do in the US, too - at least at a corporate level. I've done enough Industrials to know that to be the case.

I don't know if the Chinese audience of that show readily recognize that the source material is from The Book of Mormon (but I suspect they might), or if the electric company is deliberately trying to pass off their advertisement as an original composition (which I think they may not). I also don't find the performance as readily available on the Internet as another poster has suggested (I googled, as directed, and came up with no hits).

I suppose what matters most is how Trey Parker and Matt Stone feel about it, and if they wanted to take any action.

For the record, Jorge, I enjoy most of your contributions on BWW. The perspective you bring is refreshing - even if I don't always agree with you.

[mpkie]

Posted: 2/4/17 at 3:08pm

trpguyy said: "Also not a requirement of parody, for those keeping score at home. But I will search out the full performance, that guy and his attempts at humor were really killing the vibe. "

Do you speak/understand Chinese Mandarin? Because if you don't you might not get that they really are just straight ripping it off. Also all the creepy undertone vibes... that would be difficult to pick up as well.

[mpkie]

Posted: 2/4/17 at 3:15pm

John Adams said: "I also don't find the performance as readily available on the Internet as another poster has suggested (I googled, as directed, and came up with no hits)."

Really??? It's the first hit on Google with my suggested search parameters: http://shanghaiist.com/2017/01/24/book_of_mormon_ripoff.php

Here's the Youtube video itself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ila0uscl1sU

The performance in question gets intro'd around the 12:15 mark.