In a recent highly-rated talk show, Stand Bai You, Ma Weidu, a veteran antique collector and museum operator, chooses the topic "the meaning of life" for his speech to thousands of college students at a university in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Liu Zhenyun, the award-winning author whose works have been translated into more than 20 languages, recalls the experience of creating vivid figures in his books, inspiring students to be persistent and remain optimistic.

TV hostess Chen Luyu suggests that young graduates should courageously face setbacks and learn how to survive when life deals you a tough hand.

Unlike other speech-themed talk shows, the students are invited to step on stage and ask questions.

"It is an opportunity to better communicate with the guest stars," Wang, the producer, says.

There is no traditional show host in the third season of Stand Bai You, to avoid what Wang calls "redundant packaging".

"Time is becoming a luxury these days," Wang says. "Efficiency is the key. We don't aim to be good-looking, but we expect words in our program to be valuable."

Each episode runs for at least one hour, some for up to 80 minutes.

Wang believes it is essential to maintain the length even though we live in a time of short bursts of infotainment.

"It has to be that long if the depth of a topic is to be explored," he says.

"Something inspirational that is not for pure entertainment cannot be consumed at a shallow level."

Wang admits that the production team used to worry whether students would be interested in attending, as it is convenient to search for similar clips online.

His fears seemed to be unfounded. At least 1,000 students poured into the auditorium for a recording of Stand Bai You before the COVID-19 outbreak. The highest attendance once was more than 3,000.

"When a celebrity talks to you, candidly and face-to-face, you'll get a feeling that is thoroughly different from watching something online, even though what they say may sound familiar," Wang says.

"A speech cannot solve all the problems, but even if just one line resonates, its benefit could last a lifetime."

Nevertheless, a new challenge has come amid this time of quarantine.

Studio audiences are replaced by online viewers. And the consequent feelings of insecurity among younger viewers need to be addressed as never before.

After all, these days are exceptional and unusual: New concerns, new worries and new insecurities have to be addressed in a new way.

"Life is changeable, so are the times," he says. He believes that the greatest journey is within ourselves.

"I hope our guests can help young people avoid unnecessary distractions and find their true coordinates in life."