Deyun Society

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(Redirected from Guo Degang)
Guo Degang in front of the Deyun Teahouse

Deyun Society (Chinese: 德云社; 拼音: De Yun She) is one of the most popular crosstalk theaters in Beijing. It is an ideal destination to enjoy crosstalk created by skilled comedians.

Located in an old teahouse in Tianqiao, Xuanwu District, the theater was established by Guo in 1995. Over the years, the theater has recruited numerous talented crosstalk performers, especially young performers Li Jing andHe Yunwei. However, the two, who appeared frequently on BTV’s programs, ended their relationship with the theater right after the incident.

Besides the teahouse, the society has two other branches in Beijing in Qianmen and Sunlitun, and tickets had been scarce the past few years. The society also tours around the country.

It had been shut down for one-month internal rectification due to the dispute between leading-performer Guo Degang, who's backed by the theater owner, versus Beijing TV (BTV) in 2010.

Guo supported his disciple Li Hebiao on his blog, after Li was arrested for beating a BTV reporter. The accident was happened around Guo's villa in early August 2010 when the reporter showed up asking questions regarding Guo's use of public green land. The incident led to BTV's ban on Guo.

Guo, 40, has had a long-standing feud with BTV since 2010. In the past, BTV had been very supportive of the comedian and his studio for many years. Yet after Guo became a megastar in China, he was no longer satisfied with BTV's fees and found himself in conflicts with the station's senior executives. In 2010, Guo's two performances for BTV's Spring Festival Gala were replaced.

On Dec. 13, 2013, Guo posted a rather vague blog reading, "Continue collecting evidence and preparing for everything. You don't let me die well, I will also not let you live well!" The blog was soon deleted. On December 14, Guo posted yet another unclear blog, "How many people can live for a hundred years; why is it necessary to be contentious? Enjoy life and work and look forward. From this day on, I will not curse anybody and I apologize to anyone insulted by me."

On Dec. 15, the Television Arts Working Committee of the China Radio and Television Association issued a statement condemning Guo during an awards ceremony, stating he had insulted former head of BTV Wang Xiaodong, who died from liver cancer at the age of 51 on November 19.

After the committee's statement, Guo never again updated his blog or mentioned anything via any other channels, while at the same time no other TV networks have joined the BTV ranks in the boycott.