Technology was the winner at the 30^th anniversary of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, the most watched TV program on the planet.

Walls of video screens that rose up out of the floor and other tricks of the trade made it look magical, even if some of the acts were ho-hum.

It was the first year since 1995 that comic master Zhao Benshan (赵本山) was absent (due to health issues).

In his place were the usual skit comedians and a load of middle-of-the-road singers who manage to get away with being average because they sing patriotic songs.

As usual the same hundred dancing girls appeared to accompany every performance.

The only exception was a choreographed routine by some robots toward the end.

On the other hand, Wang Lee-hom (王力宏), classical pianist Li Yundi (李云迪), Faye Wong (王菲) and Eason Chan (陈奕迅) doing a duet, were a refreshing change to the old formats – though it has to be said that both Lee-hom and Faye were once again not in the best of voice.

The main highlight — though the acrobatics were as usual excellent — again, was Louis Liu’s (劉謙) star turn, this time with a magic mirror.

Netizens were already revealing how he had done it before the show’s end at 12:30 am.

Another act that had a bit of magic, wrapped up in technology, was Han Geng (韩庚) kungfu fighting chimerical monsters.

Another New Year. Hope the dragon brings readers good luck XOXO.