Talking Entertainment: (Almost) Live From New York It's Saturday Night!

The Hollywood Reporter announced that Chinese Video site Sohu will launch Saturday Night Live on its web based media platform this week. It was reported that this release will probably signal a major surge in Hollywood TV shows and movies. This along with recent court victories will help industry efforts in preventing piracy and woo Chinese audiences to watch legitimate U.S. content in the world’s biggest online market.

In other news, Despicable Me 2 will finally reach China’s hesitant shores on January 10. The news came after NBCUniversal announced that it would be establishing an office here in the capital. This sequel is already the highest grossing film of the year and a strong Chinese debut won’t hurt its already enviable box office earnings. Though many across China have already seen pirated versions of this movie, a 3D and IMAX release will still attract a large number of movie goers this month. 

Finally, it has been a huge opening week for Jackie Chan’s new hard as nails detective thriller Police Story 2013. In its first four days of release before the new year, the latest installment of the long-running franchise had already grossed over $45 million, knocking Personal Tailor from the top spot, and preserving the aspiring amusement park tycoon’s ability to still kick butt in China’s growing film market. China's box office is now the world's second largest after the United States, massing over $2.8 billion dollars this year. 

Here are some more arts and entertainment events to fill up your week:

• Grab your favorite concubine and check out The New Year Peking Opera Season at Chang'an Grand Theater (Jan 3-10).
• Go see the stage adaptation of The Red Sorghum at the NCPA (Jan 4-5).
• Experience the illuminating documentary Paper Airplane at Zajia Lab (Jan 5).

For more events, check out our newsletter "7 Days in Beijing" to see all upcoming events for the week ahead.

Photo: Fanpop.com