Chinese traditional thought has always held that a nation can only be governed if there is stability in the home. And in any home it is the strength of the marriage that determines the success or failure of the family. A corollary of this thought is that a sound society grows out of a happy family.

With this tenet in mind, why not use television as a medium to let the public know about successful marriages? Why not share with television audiences the secrets to a good marriage, and the ways to overcome marital problems? Informing the public about marriage problems is the secret behind the success of the innovative television program, "Ho Chia Huan", (Happy Family).

This program from the Taiwan Television Network has enjoyed two seasons on the Monday night program line-up. Due to declining ratings, the program took a brief respite in March. But as the program has consistently drawn praise from critics and viewers alike, programming executives plan to return it to the air in a new and restylized format. The show, while informative and very educational, must also adhere to the golden rule of television, high ratings.

Using an informative but entertaining format, the show aims to air the current state of affairs in modern marriages. The show emphasizes fun, but each week the viewing audience and the contestants as well learn a little more about marriage and its importance in building a sound society.

Program producer Hung Li-fu, is the man behind the success of this original concept. However, he modestly refuses any credit for the initial idea.

Previously, Hung produced "I Love the Matchmaker", a popular show which used a "Dating Game" style format to acquaint single men and women in an atmosphere of fun. The show was an enormous hit and triggered an avalanche of fan mail. Hung notes that responses came not only from single people, but from families as well. A typical letter reads; "Our whole family loves your show. We feel it is healthy entertainment for the family. My young son wants me to participate but I am already happily married. May I therefore suggest another program which could use married couples and their families as contestants. I think this would certainly be popular in Taiwan."

Hung Li-fu was in favor of this suggestion and soon the concept for the program was born. Hung and his associates drafted a program featuring married couples exchanging views about married life. This approach was seen as an excellent means of informing and educating people of all ages about marriage's benefits to one's life and its importance to society. Young unmarried viewers could learn from the experiences of the participating couples about the ups and downs of married life. At the same time, married couples could gauge their own marriages from the ideas presented on the show. In addition, children could be shown in an entertaining way the sacrifices parents make for them. Hung believes that a useful contribution to society could be made through an entertainment-oriented T.V. program. Television is a medium that reaches almost every home. No matter what, a show that informs the public about the importance and success of marriage was bound to have societal repercussions.

The resulting show is hosted by two of Taiwan's more popular television personalities, T'ien Wen-chung and Ch'en Li-an. The ninety-minute program is divided into different segments. There is an interview portion where guest couples are questioned about their marriages, how they met, career goals and other interests. This is then followed by a quiz-show segment where competing couples are asked a variety of interesting and informative questions. Responses are often funny and revealing. The questions are geared to draw a humorous response but the couples and the audience can often learn a lot about themselves from the interaction.

In the entertainment portion of the program, participating couples display their talents at singing. Results are mixed, but always amusing. The final section is a "True or False" game, where the competing couples are asked to identify given situations as true or false. This is both challenging and informative, and offers the viewer a chance to learn some new facts.

The program has run under this format for the past two television seasons. However, while it was well received by critics and initial ratings were high, recent response has not been as favorable. Producers and program planners feel that the program's running length of ninety minutes caused problems in pacing and rhythm. The female hostess, though improving, still seems to lack the poise and polish of an experienced M.C..

The greatest problem however, arises from the guest couples themselves. As this is a show where the couples are the real stars, a case of nervous jitters will certainly affect the results. Couples usually have little or no television experience, and thus sometimes become tongue-tied or stumble over relatively easy questions. The show also sought out couples who had been married for at least seven or more years and it is felt that these older couples tend to be more inhibited and less likely to open up on camera. Therefore with the decision to pull the show from the air in April, show producer Hung Li-fu has the opportunity to revamp the show, giving it a fresh and more youth-oriented direction.

The show also used the services of celebrity couples to help communicate the message of a good marriage to viewing audiences. Producers realized that appearances by public figures would probably benefit the show. It would certainly increase audience response, allowing the show's message to reach a larger forum. Using celebrity couples would help people realize that the problems of famous and ordinary people are often very similar.

The show invited couples from a variety of professional fields. Whether he or she be a member of the Executive Yuan, or an athlete, or an actor, each guest couple has revealed touching and often inspiring accounts of years of struggle in overcoming many obstacles to forge a successful marriage.

M'iao T'ien is an example of such a story. A familiar face to the general public, M'iao has become one of Taiwan's leading character actors. However, succeeding as an actor while maintaining a stable married life has not been easy. So it was with great poignancy that M'iao and his lovely wife told the story of their marriage to the audience.

M'iao said that his looks often land him the part of the villain as opposed to that of the handsome hero. He said: "My eyes are too small, my nose very snub, and my mouth far too large. And on top of all that, my skin is too dark." As an actor, he is assumed to have a beautiful wife. But according to M'iao some years of heartbreak and bitterness proceeded the discovery of an ideal wife.

In Chinese society, no matter how deep the bond between the couple, parent approval is still paramount. Liu's family saw M'iao as a poor and ugly suitor. No matter how hard he tried, the family would not accept M'iao. M'iao then decided that only drastic measures were feasible. He and Liu Yue-mei were married against her family's wishes and a rift subsequently developed.

The early years of marriage were filled with hardship and struggle. M'iao gave up his dream of a show business career and sought work as a labourer in yet another effort to win family approval. The family lived a vagabond existence, wandering from job to job, and it was only through the patience and frugality of his wife that the family managed to stay together.

Fortune did finally smile on the family. Through the help of a friend, M'iao got a chance to act again. Success soon followed and the days of hardship were left behind. M'iao in summing up his story said if it were not for his wonderful wife's unfailing loyalty and tolerance, he would not have become the success he is today.

For the past two seasons, the show, "Ho Chia Huan", has given the viewer an informative and entertaining look at the state of marriage in today's Taiwan. When it returns to the air in its new revised format, viewers can look forward to an even more innovative excursion into the world of marriage.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1. The Happy Family Show is an informative and entertaining television program. Each week three couples participate in a stimulating game-show segment. 2. Hosts of the program are, T'ien Wen-chung (left), and Ch'en Li-an. 3. Past president of the Taipei chapter of the International Rotary Club, Huang Ch'i-kuang and his wife were enthusiastic participants. 4. Sun Po-chien and his wife, Huang Hsiao-tung, are interviewed by the program's hosts.

1. Dance instructor Chou Chih-k'un and his wife perform a rousing dance routine during the entertainment portion of the program. 2. Chien Yu-hsin, member of the Legislative Yuan, displays his culinary skills. 3. Hsinchu food processing representative, Huang Hai-jui demonstrates the fine art of making soup meatballs.

1. An older couple harmonize on a song. 2. The program offers the contestant an interesting and amusing variety of games and activities.

2. Hosts of the program are, T'ien Wen-chung （left）, and Ch'en Li-an.

3. Past president of the Taipei chapter of the International Rotary Club, Huang Ch'i-kuang and his wife were enthusiastic participants.

4. Sun Po-chien and his wife, Huang Hsiao-tung, are interviewed by the program's hosts.

1. Dance instructor Chou Chih-k'un and his wife perform a rousing dance routine during the entertainment portion of the program.

2. Chien Yu-hsin, member of the Legislative Yuan, displays his culinary skills.

3. Hsinchu food processing representative, Huang Hai-jui demonstrates the fine art of making soup meatballs.