Summary of Key Points
"The Thorns and Bricks 2026" (Season 6 of "Pi Ge") has copied the "live broadcast with unedited audio" format from "Riding the Wind 2026" (Season 7 of "Lang Jie"), achieving an initial viewership of 690 million but receiving mixed reviews. As a series that has been on for six seasons, it faces the common challenges of dwindling talent resources and audience fatigue. Although new elements such as physical fitness challenges have been introduced, the show's unclear purpose and lengthy format, combined with the fact that audiences today prefer entertainment over perfectionist performances, make it uncertain whether this season can replicate the success of "Lang Jie."
1. Live Broadcast Format: Authenticity as a Selling Point, but Also Exposing Boredom
For "Lang Jie," the live broadcast was a lifesaver—real mistakes in singing and forgetting lyrics became material for social media memes, helping to revive its declining popularity. After "Pi Ge" adopted this format, the initial numbers were good, but it also revealed the drawbacks of live broadcasting:
- Excessively Long Format: The first stage lasted 3 hours each half, with only half an hour dedicated to actual performances; the rest was spent on artist introductions, judge comments, and vote-gathering activities. Since the broadcast couldn't be fast-forwarded, viewers had to endure these tedious parts, wearing out their patience.
- Missteps Turning into Traffic: Performances by Chen Ruoxuan and Zeng Hui, which were criticized for their off-key singing, became viral on Bilibili with over 500,000 views each, compared to the more modest views of the actual stage performances. Audiences have changed their preferences; they now prefer real, entertaining moments rather than flawless performances.
2. The Dilemma of Long-running Variety Shows
Since its inception in 2021, "Pi Ge" has become a "old variety show," and its problems have become increasingly apparent:
- Talent Resource Depletion: Early seasons featured stars like Chen Xiaochun and Zhang Zhilin from the Greater Bay Area, who brought their own fame and talent. This season, however, half of the 27 contestants are unknown to the general public, and there is no leading performer capable of generating widespread interest. The邵 Bing father-son duo was a major highlight, but his injury led to their withdrawal, ruining that aspect of the show.
- Audience Fatigue: The same competition format (initial stage → team formation → group formation) has lost its novelty over the years, and audiences have become immune to emotional appeals (such as Su Youpeng's song "Red Dragonfly").
3. Innovation in Competition Formats Fails to Save the Show
The production team hoped to differentiate the show with physical fitness challenges (public display of body fat percentages, outdoor competitions), but these efforts did not address the underlying issues:
- Lack of Clarity in Purpose: "Lang Jie" had a clear theme of "women over 30 years old breaking through themselves," while "Pi Ge" has no age limit for contestants (one-third are under 30, with the youngest being 21), making it more like a talent show for men of various ages without a central narrative. Audiences are confused about the purpose of the contestants' efforts.
- Surface-level Innovation: The fitness challenges added some interest but did not touch on the core essence of the show, failing to connect with the audience.
4. Changing Audience Preferences
Audiences' expectations for variety shows have shifted:
- Boredom is Worse than Mistakes: Audiences no longer mind mistakes; they find them amusing. However, stage performances that lack memorable moments and formulaic comments (such as those delivered by Du Hua), along with lengthy interactions, are what drive them to tune out.
- Live Broadcasts Are Not a Panacea: "Lang Jie"'s success relied on the contestants' long-held desire to be heard. Without a clear theme and soul, even a live broadcast won't be enough to engage viewers, as they seek content that is not only authentic but also has a compelling story.
Conclusion
This season of "Pi Ge" highlights the common issues faced by long-running variety shows: while it's easy to innovate in form, finding the true essence of the show is difficult. Simply copying successful formats without addressing core problems (talent depletion and unclear purpose) will unlikely lead to renewed popularity. While live broadcasts can attract viewers, they cannot retain them if the content lacks warmth and depth. After all, what audiences really value is content that is both authentic and meaningful.