Roast it off!

"It is truthful and sincere, it covers all kinds of people with all kinds of personalities, and reveals various problems and contradictions in our society," says Yu Xiujuan, director of the policy office and development research center of the National Radio and Television Administration. "People dare to share their conflicts, problems, pains and distress, and have the courage to face them head on in the show. It also gives the audience a special insight toward life."

Yin Hong, deputy chairman of the China Film Association and a professor at Tsinghua University, says Roast can help people desensitize and decompress to rid themselves off the pressures of life.

"Nowadays, there are many sensitive areas that can often cause social conflicts," Yin says. "The show pointed them out so that we can actively talk about them and take the initiative to resolve them through comedy or jokes. I think it can help reduce social anxiety."

The show's executive director Li Dan and its host Zhang Shaogang, were both surprised at the popularity of Roast this year.

"The conflicts and competitions are just the outer shell of the show. What we want to convey to the audience is only happiness and relaxation," Li says.

"It's wonderful to have so many friends from different fields using their own ways to express, communicate and understand by mocking onstage," Zhang adds.