“Our show is so twisted”: comparing impoliteness in Taiwan and Mainland China talk shows

Abstract Impoliteness has been a focus of recent research with more emphasis placed on context, situated evaluations and social action. Although talk shows are not the same as everyday conversations, the use of impoliteness to entertain is often an intentional part of the format. This paper uses Chinese talk shows to examine the subtle differences in impoliteness of talk shows in the different Chinese contexts. We compare one TV talk show in Taiwan (Kangxi Laile), and the other in Mainland China (Huahua Wanwu), both with the same hosts and similar program formats, to examine how impoliteness is shown at personal, relational, and group levels. Comparing how this is done in different contexts will help us better understand what is acceptable and what is not in different Chinese communities, as each community is different given the different historical, political, and sociological backgrounds, which will lead to different manifestations of (im)politeness.