"Camera operator, focus on Wang Shu!"
Seeing the steadily growing popularity in the live broadcast room, Zhou Tao spoke into his walkie-talkie to the cameraman.
He hadn't expected Wang Shu's popularity to be this high, that even a shot of him sleeping could instantly boost the number of viewers.
It seemed like the day his career would reach new heights was not far off. Wang Shu was truly his benefactor!
Zhou Tao was secretly thrilled.
Meanwhile, the contestants on site were stunned, all looking at the cameraman with confusion as he pointed his lens at Wang Shu, who was snoring.
"Han Ge, why are they only filming him?"
A contestant stood beside Han Ge and asked, utterly bewildered.
"Well, I'm not too sure."
Han Ge simply shrugged, indicating his lack of knowledge.
Of course, Han Ge just couldn't be bothered with this contestant. Anyone who could ask such a foolish question probably wouldn't make it to the finals anyway.
The camera would naturally go to those with high popularity and large viewership. If you weren't being filmed, you could only blame your lack of buzz and popularity.
Seeing the contestant's perplexed expression, Han Ge could only shake his head in exasperation and walk away.
For the next ten-odd minutes, the live broadcast camera was almost entirely focused on Wang Shu.
This situation caused murmurs of complaint among the contestants backstage, but they dared not speak their minds.
After all, Xiangnan TV had considerable influence in the entertainment industry. If they offended anyone here, their future prospects in the industry would be severely impacted.
Therefore, despite their dissatisfaction with the situation, they could only watch helplessly from the sidelines.
The popularity in the live broadcast room subsequently soared to over 500,000 viewers.
"Director, isn't this the highest online viewership our program has ever recorded?"
In the director's office, an assistant exclaimed, looking at the numbers in the live stream.
"That's right. Our previous record was barely 200,000 simultaneous viewers," Zhou Tao said, his voice filled with excitement.
This viewership of 500,000 was enough to propel his career to the next level.
On Xiangnan TV, only a few flagship programs could achieve such viewership through live broadcasts.
In the talent show genre, most programs hovered around 100,000 viewers. His program reaching 500,000 live viewers would surely garner the attention of the station.
Who knew, this breakthrough might even lead to the station allocating prime time slots to his show!
The more Zhou Tao thought about it, the happier he became, even picturing celebrities begging to be on his show.
"Director, the show is about to officially start. Should we switch the live broadcast feed?"
It was now two in the afternoon.
"Weekly Good Voice" had officially begun recording, the assistant reminded him.
"Of course, the official show has to be broadcast!"
Prompted by his assistant, Zhou Tao immediately snapped back to reality.
After all, this was a talent show, not a reality show; they couldn't broadcast Wang Shu sleeping the entire time.
Following this, the live broadcast feed switched to the stage.
Han Ge, just like yesterday, delivered the opening remarks and then introduced the rules for the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Hua Cheng Yu, seated in the judges' panel, was happily looking at a post about Wang Shu that had been leaked on Weibo.
"Little thing, now that you're like this, do you still dare to go on stage?"
Looking at the empty stage, Hua Cheng Yu laughed wickedly and said viciously on the ground.
Today, he had not only worked his magic online but had also arranged for people on site.
As soon as Wang Shu dared to step onto the stage, he would have a bitter experience.
...
"What the hell, why did they switch the feed? I have to look at this disgusting thing again!"
"Boring, I'm not watching anymore. Call me when Wang Shu comes on!"
"Speechless, why the random camera cuts? Boring, I'm out!"
When the live broadcast feed switched to the stage, viewers in the chat room expressed their displeasure en masse.
Subsequently, the number of online viewers began to plummet.
Within minutes, it dropped from the peak of 500,000 to 300,000.
Even the chief director, Zhou Tao, was caught off guard by this situation.
However, he couldn't switch the camera back now, as the show itself was the priority.
But watching the steadily declining numbers, Zhou Tao felt a pang in his chest.
The show continued to be recorded as planned.
More than ten contestants appeared consecutively, but only a few managed to awe the audience.
Only a handful, three or four in total, received affirmation from the three judges.
These few contestants were mostly those with strong vocal abilities, though they were only singing cover songs.
It wasn't until over an hour later that the last scheduled singer was to take the stage.
At this moment, Wang Shu was still sound asleep in the makeup room.
There was no one on stage for a long time.
"Where is he? Weren't there fifteen singers?"
"I've been waiting all afternoon, just to see Wang Shu. Where is he?"
"Yeah, where's Wang Shu? My legs have gone numb waiting all afternoon just for him!"
The audience members on site began to murmur as no one appeared on stage for an extended period.
Among them were fans who had been won over by Wang Shu yesterday.
"Hmph, you're lucky, kid."
Seeing that Wang Shu was nowhere to be seen on stage, Hua Cheng Yu couldn't help but feel disappointed.
He had prepared a good show, but now that Wang Shu didn't dare to go on stage, there was no opportunity to perform it.
"Xiao Su, hurry and go backstage to call Wang Shu. It's his turn to go on!"
Zhou Tao, noticing Wang Shu's continued absence, suddenly remembered that Wang Shu might still be asleep.
He quickly instructed Xiao Su.
Xiao Su, having received the message, rushed backstage and, as expected, found Wang Shu still fast asleep.
Xiao Su quickly went forward to wake Wang Shu.
Then, Wang Shu, rubbing his sleepy eyes, walked onto the stage.
"What's going on? He looks like he hasn't woken up yet. Was he sleeping backstage?"
"Ridiculous. Look at the wet patch on his shirt. Is that drool?"
"I've seen it all. A contestant actually slept backstage."
When the audience saw Wang Shu walking onto the stage in a daze, they couldn't help but look confused and started speculating.
Wang Shu, himself, felt his mind was all muddled from being suddenly awakened.
It was as if his brain wasn't getting enough blood. He didn't even know how he managed to walk the short distance onto the stage.
However, his mind was clear enough to know that it was his turn to perform.
Stepping onto the stage, Wang Shu gripped the microphone stand in front of him.
He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Just as everyone in the venue looked on in confusion.
Wang Shu, like a kite with a broken string, directly collapsed in the center of the stage, holding onto the microphone stand!