BEIJING, Aug.22 -- Nowadays it is easy for white-collar office workers who usually work overtime to miss the daily serialized TV dramas. But they don't care much because most intrigue-filled historical dramas, romances and family dramas no longer interest them after a hard day at the office.

    This may well change with a lively 100-episode TV sitcom "I Love My Job" - more like a Chinese counterpart to the popular British sitcom "The Office."

    The daily comedy series by veteran mainland director Shang Jing has just finished filming in the city of Shanghai and is likely to be aired by the end of this year; the station has not been decided.

    And there's also "Nine to None," another daily comedy-drama, which has completed filming and will air by the end of the year on Dragon TV.

    "I Love My Job" is set in the lively and chaotic editorial office of a weekly magazine. It follows the lives of five young white-collar workers with distinctive personalities and their tough female editor.

    "I don't want to compare this comic TV sitcom to a sumptuous dinner," director Shang says. "It is more like 'chicken soup,' a refreshing drink for today's fatigued office workers."

    Director Shang rose to fame for his hit TV comedies "Story in the Army Kitchen" and "My Own Swordsman." Those sitcoms, though shown on late-night television, were surprisingly well received among young white-collar workers.

    That made him realize what these young people need after going back home: relaxation and fun. The young generation seldom watches TV these days but are drawn by the DVD version of American comedy series "Friends" and "Sex and the City."

    "Many comedies in Western countries are hilarious mockeries of politicians and even sex," director Shang says. "However, it's difficult to produce a good comedy in China due to some cultural constraints. We must ensure that the story is funny and true-to-life but is by no means told in an unconstrained, vulgar style."

    In recent years, there are few Chinese TV series focusing on the workplace. Shang and his team are filling the void.

    Based on the modern white-collar working life, each half-hour episode of the sitcom presents stylish terms and hot topics facing office workers including leadership skills, office romance, matchmaking parties, ambitions and dreams of stardom.

    Migrant office workers and new college graduates who want to merge into city life, or get to know the world outside the "ivory tower" can also learn a lot, including work skills, from watching office sitcoms.

    "Though the sitcom touches on some social issues in China's current development such as rising housing prices, it not doctrinaire," director Shang adds. "You get inspiration from it and will not miss the fun and laughter."

    In the eyes of the comedy crew, office life, though mixed with heavy workload, stress, tension and delicate office politics, is still warm and sunny.

    "All of the six main characters we depict are actually warm-hearted people with shortcomings," says Li Tian, a sitcom planner.

    Some of these office workers have driving ambitions for their career while some are just sheepish family persons. There is a shallow peacock-like "flower vase" in the office and also some "diligent bees." Their varied backgrounds and personalities are made for comic collision.

    One of the characters, the female editor-in-chief Wan Shan is particularly a representative of today's bai gu jing (white-collar elite).

    Seemingly, the 30-year-old lady is dominant, strong and successful in her career, but what she tries to conceal is her weakness and solitude. Her former unhappy love experiences have left her frustrated and she doubts if she can meet Mr Right.

    "Our sitcom also wants to provide an insight into their secret emotional world, which is sometimes depressing and confusing beneath their bright exterior," Li says.

    
Almost all the major roles are played by new unknown actors or university graduates with an acting major. Their natural performances have received high praise.
"Shooting a sitcom is never an easy job," Li adds. "In the studio with no air-conditioning, we have three or four cameras simultaneously recording their acting from different angles. Any little movement may cause 'NG' (no good)."

    Around 20 guest performers including well-known local TV hostess Yuan Ming and this year's "My Hero" contestant Benji Schwartz (Shi Lei in Chinese), have been invited to play cameo roles.

    Yao Chen, who stars as the loud and sassy tomboy Guo Furong in "My Own Swordsman," also plays a cute intern who has a short romance with one of the characters.

    Producers of the sitcom say that during the series they may launch online or television workshops that encourage office workers to share their own opinions and stories.

    If the series is popular they will make a sequel. The sitcom will have several open endings. Based on short message votes, the director will decide the ending.

    An actor also can be eliminated by audience vote, designated to "study abroad," says Zhang Yufeng, general manager of Radiance Entertainment, producer of the comedy series.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)