Expectations was a popular TV serial which caused a sensation in China in the early 1990s. By examining Expectations as a cultural phenomenon, this article questions the role of intellectuals in cultural transformation and reconstruction when the cultural space (market) in China has become more and more commercialized. Will it have the consequence of moving the intellectuals from a position of being cultural leaders or cultural defenders towards a more marginal social position - even out of the ‘popular sphere’? Is the effort that intellectuals put in, in the past decade, for Chinese modernization really tenable at the end of the 20th century? More pointedly, in what way can the ideals of Chinese intellectuals be genuinely workable when popular culture seems to expand indefinitely and when the elite culture promoted by intellectuals is no longer relevant? The issues are by no means new, yet the need for a coherent answer becomes increasingly urgent, particularly as the relationship between intellectuals and popular culture unfolds.
Ang, Ien (1991) Desperately Seeking the Audience. London: Routledge.
2.
Barmé, Geremie (1992) ‘The Greying of Chinese Culture’, in Kuan Hsin-chi and Maurice Brosseau (eds) China Review 1992, pp. 13.2-13.52. Hong Kong: Chinese University Press.
3.
Bourdieu, Pierre (1986) ‘The Forms of Capital’, in John G. Richardson (ed.) Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education. New York: Greenwood.
4.
Chen Ying (1991) ‘A Good Textbook for Education on the Outlook of Life and Morality’ (Renshengguan he daode jiaoyu de shengdong jiaocai), Guangming Daily (Guangming Ribao) (25 Feb.).
5.
Counter Attack (Fanji) (1976) Changchun: Changchun Film Studio.
6.
Deng Xiaoping (1983) The Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping: 1975-1982 (Deng Xiaoping Wenxun: 1975-1982). Beijing: People’s Press (Renmin Chubanshe).
7.
Deng Xiaoping (1992) ‘Deng Xiaoping Talks about Intellectuals’ Position’ (Deng Xiaoping tan zhishifenzi diwei), in Zhang Tianronget al. (eds) Dictionary of China’s Reforms (Zhongguo Gaige Da Cidian). Beijing: Chinese International Broadcasting Press (Zhongguo Guoji Guangbo Chubanshe).
8.
Eyerman, Ron (1994) Between Culture and Politics: Intellectuals in Modern Society. Cambridge: Polity Press.
9.
Feng Yingbing (1991) ‘Li Ruihuan and Other Leaders Talk with the Production Team of Expectations about the Road for Flourishing Literature and Art’ (Li Ruihuan deng tong Kewang juzu tantao wenyi fanrong zhilu), People’s Daily(Renmin Ribao) (overseas edition, 9 Jan.).
10.
Fiske, John (1987) Television Culture. London and New York: Methuen.
11.
Goldman, Merle (1981) China’s Intellectuals: Advise and Dissent. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
12.
Goldman, Merle, with Timothy Cheek and Carol Lee Hamrin (1987) China’s Intellectuals and the State: In Search of a New Relationship. Cambridge, MA and London: Harvard University Press.
13.
Grieder, Jerome (1981) Intellectuals and the State in Modern China: A Narrative History. New York and London: Free Press.
14.
Hamrin, Carol Lee (1987) ‘Conclusion: New Trends under Deng Xiaoping and His Successors’, in Merle Goldman, with Timothy Cheek and Carol Lee Hamrin (eds) China’s Intellectuals and the State: In Search of a New Relationship. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
15.
Hamrin, Carol Lee and Timothy Cheek, eds (1986) China’s Establishment Intellectuals. Armonk: M.E. Sharpe.
16.
Harbin at Night (Yemu Xia de Harbin) (1984) Chinese Television Art Centre and Qingdao Television Station. Directed by Ren Hao and Shao Honglai.
17.
Hartley, John (1990) ‘Television Studies: Creating a Critical Discourse’, PhD thesis, Murdoch University.
18.
Hoare, Quintin and Geoffrey Nowell-Smith, eds (1971) Selections from the Prison Notebooks of Antonio Gramsci. London: Lawrence & Wishart.
19.
Hsia, C. T. (ed.) (1971) A History of Modern Chinese Fiction. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
20.
Jubilant Xiaoliang River (Huanteng de Xiaoliang He) (1976) Shanghai: Shanghai Film Studio.
21.
Li Qiang (1993) Dangdai Zhongguo Shchui Fenceng yu Liudong (Contemporary China’s Social Stratification and Mobility). Beijing: Zhongguo Jingji Chubanshe.
22.
Liu Xiaobo (1993) ‘Slow Boat to Change’, The Australian (24 Mar.): 20.
23.
Liu Xinwu (1977) ‘Class Monitor’ (Banzhuren), People’s Literature (Renmin Wenxue)11.
24.
Louie, Kam (1985) ‘Love Stories: The Meaning of Love and Marriage in China’, in Jeffrey Kinkley (ed.) After Mao: Chinese Literature and Society 1978-1981. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Meng Xiaoyun (1990) ‘Kewang muhou: 1’ (Behind the Scenes of Expectations: Part 1), People’s Daily (Renmin Ribao) (overseas edition, 18 Dec.): 7.
27.
Peng Li (1991) Expectations: A Product of Popular Culture’ (Kewang: dazhong wenhua de chanpin), Television Monthly (Dianshi Yuekan) (Wuhan)2.
28.
Qu Huisheng (1991) ‘Premier Li Peng Joined Beijing Delegation for Discussion in the Beijing Hall’ (Beijing tingli yi Baogao - Li Peng zongli canjia Beijing daibiaotuan taolun ceji), Guangming Daily (Guangming Ribao) (28 Mar.).
29.
Rofel, Lisa B. (1994) ‘“Yearnings”: Televisual Love and Melodramatic Politics in Contemporary China’, American Ethnologist21(4): 700-722.
30.
Sen, Krishna (1991) ‘Si Boy Looked at Johnny’, Continuum4(2): 136-151.
31.
Shiach, Morag (1989) Discourse on Popular Culture. Cambridge: Polity Press.
32.
Su Tong (1987) ‘Escape in 1934’ (1934 nian taowang), Harvest (Shouhuo)5.
33.
Tu Huichen (1991) ‘On Expectations Screenwriter’s Gains and Losses’ (Lun Kewang bianju de yu shi), Guangming Daily (Guangming Ribao) (8 Feb.).
34.
Wang Hongmoet al., eds (1990) The Course of Reforms and Open-Door: China 1949-1989 (Gaige Kaifang de Licheng: 1949-1989 Nian de Zhongguo). Zhengzhou: Henan People’s Press (Henan renmin chubanshe).
35.
Wang Jing (1996) High Culture Fever. Berkeley: University of California Press.
36.
Wang Yu (1991a) ‘Expecting Expectations: The Craze of Expectations Spreads Throughout the Whole Country’ (Kewang Kewang: quanguo manyan Kewang re), Shanghai Television(Shanghai Dianshi)2: 2-3.
37.
Wang Yu (1991b) ‘The Minister Went Home to Watch Expectations’ (Buzhang huijia kan Kewang), Shanghai Television (Shanghai Dianshi)2.
38.
Wang Yu (1991c) ‘The Safety of “Wang Husheng” is Threatened’ (Wang Husheng’ anqun chou weixie), Shanghai Television (Shanghai Dianshi)2.
39.
Wang Yu (1991d) ‘Zheng Dongtian Gets Trouble When He Has His Hair Cut’ (Zheng Dontian zaoyang), Shanghai Television (Shanghai Dianshi)2: 2.
40.
Wasserstrom, Jeffrey N. and Elizabeth J. Perry, eds (1992) Popular Protest and Political Culture in Modern China: Learning from 1989. Boulder, CO: West-view Press.
41.
Wei Wenping (1991) ‘Diaoxiang haishi paifang’ (Statue or Memorial Archway), Dianying Pingjia (Cinema Review)4: 6.
42.
Wu Hao (1990) ‘Inspirations from Expectations’ (Kewang de qishi), Beijing Daily (Beijing Ribao) (24 Dec.).
43.
Xie Xizhang (1991) ‘Expectations Whirlwind’ (Kewang xuanfeng), in Yang Wenyong and Xie Xizhang (eds) Shock Wave of Expectations (KewangChonjibo). Beijing: Guangming Daily Press.
44.
Xin Guangjie (1991) ‘Expectations and Traditional Ethics and Morals’ (Kewang yu chuangtong lunli daode), Guangming Daily (Guangming Ribao) (2 Feb.).
45.
Xue Yong (1991) ‘For the Ugly Ninth: On the Anti-Intellectual Orientation in Expectations’ (Wei choulou de laojiu - ping Kewang de fanzhizhiyi qingxiang) in Yang Wenyong and Xie Xizhang (eds) Shock Wave of Expectations(Kewang Chonjibo). Beijing: Guangming Daily Press.
46.
Yang Wenyong and Xie Xizhang, eds (1991) Shock Wave of Expectations (Kewang Chonjibo). Beijing: Guangming Daily Press.
47.
Yin Jindi (1990) ‘A New Milestone for Chinese Television Drama Production’ (Zhongguo dianshiju zhizuo de xin licheng), Observation (Liaowang) (31 Dec.).
48.
Zhong Yibin and Huang Wangnan, eds (1994) The History of Chinese Television Art(Zhongguo dianshi yishu fazhanshi). Hangzhou: Zhejiang People’s Press (Zhejiang Renmin Chubanshe).
